Former Knox County Trustee John Duncan III is running for Knox County Clerk in 2026, making a return to politics over a decade after resigning as Knox County Trustee following his guilty plea of felony official misconduct. Duncan is the son of former Knoxville Congressman John “Jimmy” Duncan, Jr. (who served 1987-2019) and grandson of former Congressman John Duncan, Sr. ( who served 1965-1988). His aunt is Knoxville State Senator Becky Duncan Massey.
Duncan’s resignation as trustee in 2013 followed his securing $3,000 bonuses for himself and five others, and a $2,000 bonus for a sixth staffer, in 2010. A year later, Duncan awarded similar bonuses to himself and 11 other employees. Only four qualified for them.
Duncan resigned after pleading guilty in July 2013 and was placed on one year of probation, which allowed him to apply for judicial diversion. In 2014, a judge expunged the case after he completed the terms of his diversion.
In 2017, Knox News reported that Duncan’s father’s congressional campaign began paying him at least $6,000 a month for “salary expense” two weeks after he pleaded guilty to the felony charge of official misconduct. In all, Duncan was paid $293,250 over five years when Knox News reported the payments in July 2017.
Duncan filed to run for Knox County Clerk on February 12, Knox News confirmed.
“For quite some time, my family and I have been quietly contemplating and praying about offering myself as a candidate for Knox County clerk. Picking up a petition is the next step in this process. I have been overwhelmed today by the encouragement from many different people,” he said.
Duncan will face former Knox County commissioner and current deputy clerk Richie Beeler, former Knox County property assessor John Whitehead and Rodney Lane in the May 5 GOP primary. Democrat Joey Tate also is running.
The county clerk is responsible for collecting business taxes, taxes on motor vehicles, managing motor vehicle registrations and licensing, managing marriage licenses and keeping records of public meetings.
The clerk’s office is one of eight Knox County departments headed by an elected official. Much of the administrative work of running Knox County is handled by elected officials who oversee departments that operate completely independent of the county commission and mayor.
The eight offices – clerk, circuit court clerk, civil sessions and juvenile court clerk criminal court clerk, law director, property assessor, register of deeds, sheriff and trustee – are elected by Knox County voters every four years.
The Knox County Trustee’s office has been shaken by repeated scandals over the past few decades.
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