Karl Knox Smithson, an independent candidate from McMinnville, is running for Tennessee governor in the Nov. 3 general election. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.
He has reported $0 in campaign funds per available disclosures, Tennessee Firefly reported.
Smithson filed his independent gubernatorial petition on Feb. 19, and the Tennessee Secretary of State recorded the petition signatures as approved, according to the Secretary of State's filing records. Politics1 lists his occupation as "homeless community activist & frequent candidate."
The Tennessee governor serves a four-year term and oversees the state's executive branch, including authority over the budget, appointments to state boards and commissions, and the Tennessee National Guard.
Candidate information
- Name: Karl Knox Smithson
- Party: Independent
- Office sought: Tennessee governor
- Election date: Nov. 3
- Residence: McMinnville, Warren County, Tennessee
- Occupation: Homeless community activist and frequent candidate, according to Politics1
- Petition filed: Feb. 19; signatures approved by the Secretary of State
- Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
- Campaign funds raised: $0, per available disclosures
Other candidates in the race
Smithson shares the ballot with candidates from both major parties and multiple independents:
- Marsha Blackburn (Republican)
- Jerri Green (Democratic)
- Charles Van Morgan (Independent)
- Dave Seeman (Independent)
- David Hatley (Independent)
- Dean Brewer (Independent)
- Eddie Lee Murphy (Independent)
- L. Webb Taylor (Independent)
- Lauren Pinkston (Independent)
- Misam Abidi (Independent)
- Ray Brown (Independent)
- Robert C. Vick (Independent)
- Victor L. Scoggin (Independent)
- Wendell Jackson (Independent)
This profile was compiled from public records, election data and published candidate information. The Mt. Juliet Journal invited candidates to complete a questionnaire for this election guide. This content is AI-curated and human-edited.
