East Tennessee REALTORS®, a nonpartisan trade association with more than 6,300 members across the region, today announced its endorsement of candidates for the upcoming Knox County elections.

The following is a list of candidates endorsed by East Tennessee REALTORS®:

Larsen Jay for Knox County Mayor

• “There’s no better time to serve Knox County than right now; we must build a solid foundation for the coming decades, and I am honored that East Tennessee REALTORS® trusts me to do the job,” Jay said. “I’m ready to do the hard work of improving our infrastructure and housing affordability, so that all Knox County residents can enjoy a healthy economy and a high quality of life as our community grows.”

Gina Oster for Knox County Commission District 3

• “Serving as a commissioner and as commission chair has been the honor of my life,” Oster said. “I am humbled by the support I’ve received from my district, including Realtors, to let me continue that work. We have so much more to do, and I will use every resource that we’ve built in the last four years to tackle our growing pains and provide the infrastructure and services our people deserve.”

Kimberly Glenn for Knox County Commission At-Large Seat 10

• “Families deserve to have the American dream, and Realtors work hard to make that possible,” Glenn said. “I want to make sure that we do everything possible in Knox County to make homes attainable to the people who work here, while thoughtfully guiding growth, and am grateful to East Tennessee REALTORS® for their endorsement of my commitment.”

Garrett Holt for Knox County Commission At-Large Seat 11

• “Growing up in Knox County gave me so many opportunities throughout my life, and now it’s my turn to give back and make sure our next generation has that experience,” Holt said. “A growing community is a much better place to live than a declining one, and I am looking forward to working with East Tennessee REALTORS® to thoughtfully steward resources like infrastructure and housing so that the growth benefits our residents countywide.”

The Association's board of directors made the decision after careful consideration of the candidates’ positions on issues important to the real estate industry, including housing affordability, property rights and economic development. The selected candidates demonstrated a readiness to serve, knowledge and understanding of community issues and commitment to maintaining a thriving economic environment.

For more information on the candidate evaluation process, visit etnrealtors.com/candidate-vetting-process.

“As a leader in our region, East Tennessee REALTORS® works to advance policies and candidates who build strong communities, protect property rights and promote a vibrant business environment,” said Angel Scott, 2026 board president of East Tennessee REALTORS®. “Our 3,500 members in Knox County care about local issues, not political parties; we partner with elected leaders of all backgrounds to support access to homeownership and a fair real estate market.”

The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, with early voting running from April 15-30. For additional information, visit knoxcounty.org/election.

About East Tennessee REALTORS®

Founded in 1912, East Tennessee REALTORS® is a trade association that has been serving the real estate interest of its members and the public for more than 100 years. With more than 6,000 members across 12 counties, the purpose of East Tennessee REALTORS® – formerly known as Knoxville Area Association of REALTORS® – is to unite and serve its members and to enhance the ability and opportunity of its members to conduct their business ethically, professionally, and successfully and to promote the preservation of the right to own, transfer and use real property. For more information, visit etnrealtors.com.