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Justin Cofer announces run for Knox County Commission at‑large seat 10, pledges fiscal oversight
Summary
Justin Cofer announced he is seeking the Republican nomination for Knox County Commission at‑large seat 10, emphasizing independent reviews of county spending, caution on federal grants, and priorities of public safety, education and roads.
Justin Cofer announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Knox County Commission at‑large seat 10, saying Knox County needs "fewer slogans and better solutions to hard questions." He framed his campaign around three guiding principles: integrity, accountability and priorities.
Cofer said one of his first priorities would be to commission a full independent outside cost‑and‑value analysis of county spending, not an internal review, "so you know exactly what you're getting for your money." He described the study as a way to make county decisions "thoughtful and measurable and explainable to the people paying the bill."
A veteran, Cofer said his experience taught him that "good intentions don't always replace good planning." He urged elected officials to judge decisions by outcomes rather than titles or associations and said every official should ask before voting whether a proposal "benefits the taxpayers of Knox County." If the benefit is unclear, he said the county should pause or rework the proposal.
Cofer warned that federal grants "are often described as free money, but there's no such thing," and said grants carry ongoing costs that counties should be able to explain over time and determine whether they are sustainable without raising taxes.
On policy priorities, Cofer listed public safety, quality education and safe roads as areas that "deserve support" but said support must be responsible: resources should match real needs and produce measurable results. He also expressed concern about rapid growth, saying "approving development without matching infrastructure — our roads, our schools, and emergency services — those costs do not disappear" but are passed to future generations.
Cofer closed by promising transparency and a willingness to reject proposals he said do not truly benefit Knox County and asked supporters of conservative governance to back his campaign. "My name is Justin Cofer. I'm running for Knox County Commission at large seat 10," he said, concluding his remarks.
