Knox County, Tennessee

Knox County Sheriff

What this office does

Sheriff. The sheriff runs the county's law enforcement agency, operates the county jail, provides courthouse security and serves court papers such as warrants, subpoenas and evictions. In many counties the sheriff's office is the primary police force for areas outside city limits. The sheriff hires deputies and manages the office's budget within what the county board approves.

This race. Every voter in Knox County votes on this seat. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Tennessee › Knox County › Knox County Sheriff

Decided at the 2026 primary: Brent Gibson won the seat

DECIDED at the August 6, 2026 county general election: Brent Gibson was elected unopposed with 100 percent, per the Knox County Election Commission's official results. This office will not appear on the November 3 ballot. Partisan race on Knox County's August 6, 2026 county general election ballot, per the Election Commission's certified candidate list. RESULTS ARE IN: this race was decided on August 6, 2026. Totals from the county Election Commission are unofficial until the county canvass, due no later than Monday, August 24 (Tenn. Code 2-8-101); Tennessee has no automatic recount. Brent Gibson is the only certified candidate; in Tennessee, unopposed races still print on the ballot.

Winner

Brent Gibson

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Coordination with state and federal partners on immigration enforcement
Address homelessness with accountability and a compassionate approach
Prioritize school safety

Biography

Brent Gibson recently retired as Assistant Chief Deputy at the Knox County Sheriff's Office after more than 25 years of service, per his campaign site. He is a University of Tennessee graduate and a former four year letterman on the Tennessee Volunteers football team, and a graduate of the FBI National Academy, per the same source. He has served as director of training at the sheriff's office regional training academy and as a SWAT team commander, and coaches football and track at Gibbs High School.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Knox County Sheriff in 2026?

The Knox County Sheriff race was decided at the 2026 primary - Brent Gibson won the seat - and does not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. One candidate was on the primary ballot: Brent Gibson. Candidate information follows official Knox County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Knox County Sheriff election in Tennessee?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Tennessee are on the Tennessee election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Knox County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Knox County and state election office filings, last verified October 15, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Tennessee election office, or see the full Knox County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Knox County ballot

9 tracked races in Knox County, Tennessee. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Tennessee Senate District 7 Tennessee House District 14 Tennessee House District 15 See all 9 Knox County races

Candidate profiles

Brent Gibson, full profile Official Tennessee election office