October 1, 2009

(Knoxville, TN) St. Senator Tim Burchett wants to thank everyone who helped make his first fundraiser in the race for Knox county mayor such a success.

Some 750 friends and supporters attended the event at Hunter Valley Farms on Sept. 25 and contributed over $60,000, which is twice as much as he ever raised at a single event in his state Senate campaigns.

“I’m deeply grateful and very humbled by what happened last week. Between the hundreds of doors I’ve already knocked on and Friday night’s turnout, it’s pretty clear that people are done with politics as usual and are ready to move forward in a new direction," Burchett said.

The guest of honor at the Hunter Farms event was Bill Beeler, a World War II hero and resident of the Ritta Community who has spent a lifetime helping to make Knox County a better place.

“My name is going to be on the ballot, but the campaign is really about bringing the focus of local government back onto the people and not the politicians, and I want to say a special thank you to Bill Beeler, a member of the Greatest Generation whose contributions to our community and our nation represent the best America has to offer.

“A lot of work lies ahead and I will never take a single vote for granted. I don’t simply want to win an election, I want to earn the chance to work with people across Knox County in moving our county in a direction we can all be proud of.”

Burchett is seeking the Republican nomination for county mayor in the May 4, 2010 primary. Early voting starts April 14.