CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – This year’s City Council election has already proven contentious, with 22 candidates vying for seats on Clarksville’s governing body. One such candidate is Montgomery County Commissioner Jason D. Knight, who is running in Ward 5.
Knight already represents District 18 on the County Commission. As a commissioner, Knight sits on multiple county committees, including Animal Control, EMS, Jail & Juvenile, Library Board and the Committee on Investment.
Joining the council would effectively double Knight’s influence in local government, and some have questioned whether a county commissioner can also sit on the City Council.
The rules and precedent
According to Montgomery County Administrator of Elections Elizabeth Black, there is no rule prohibiting a person from holding a seat on both the County Commission and the City Council.
In fact, should Knight prevail, it would not be the first instance of a person holding a seat on both bodies
Wallace Redd was elected to represent District 16 on the County Commission in August 2014 while maintaining his Ward 4 seat on the City Council for over a year.
When asked, Redd said he had not intended to run for reelection with the council at the time and decided to let his term expire rather than step down. Redd sat for one term on the commission, not seeking reelection in 2018.
Redd, by the way, is running again this cycle to represent Ward 4 on the City Council, seeking to unseat incumbent Councilman Tim Chandler.
Knight is in a three-way race against Joey Dasinger and Melissa Eldridge.
Knight responds
When asked about his desire to hold both city and county positions, Knight said he saw no issue with holding multiple offices, so long as there is no conflict of interest.
“My team and I did good due diligence to make sure that, jumping into this race, that everything was sound and good to go,” said Knight. “If a citizen has the time, energy and desire to serve his or her community in various capacities that are not full-time, but part-time held positions that afford them the time to serve, they should be allowed to do so.”
Knight also stated that some of his work as a commissioner regarding traffic would be easier to complete as a city councilman.
“I’ve been working with the Street Department to help alleviate some of the issues we have with speeders within our residential neighborhoods, and I’d like to be able to complete that process. To complete that process, it will require me to jump on the City Council seat in order to get that completed.”