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long-term
chancellor
versus
short-time
lawyer
With 16 years on the bench and decades of service to
our community, Daryl Fansler is the clear choice over a
fledgling attorney with only three years of experience.
WHEN A CANDIDATE HAS
which evenhanded nonpartisanship founded his own law firm, which
NO previous record for voters to is essential, Pridemore can’t have it became Stokes, Williams, Sharp,
judge, it’s easy to mount a campaign both ways.
Davies & Mann; was designated as
and assume any party affiliation or The inexperienced Pridemore of- a Rule 31 Mediator by the Tennes-
stake out any political buzzword fers voters little reason to choose him see Supreme Court; and has 16
that’s popular. Knox County voters, other than the RINO (Republican In years of experience on the bench.
however, ought to question why Name Only) guise of party label and Chancellor Fansler has almost 30
someone running for a nonpartisan an unsupported claim of a conserva- years of service to the city, where he
office such as Chancellor (Judge for tive philosophy. He has no record to is vice-chair of the Salvation Army,
the Chancery Court) would use fab- back up his claims, having never been an elder of Fountain City Presby-
ricated labels as his most important a judge at any level and having gradu- terian Church, and the chair of the
qualifications for the job. They ought ated from the Nashville School of Law board of directors of the Museum of
to ask Clarence “Eddie” Pridemore as a night student only three years Appalachia. He and his wife, Phyllis,
why his campaign’s website men- ago. Pridemore’s law school, in fact, is have raised their three daughters
tions his stated party affiliation 16 not accredited by the American Bar in our city. Given the nature of the
times on the front page, yet his own Association. Since graduating he has office, diverse experience in our
last name appears on the same page operated a one-man “firm” that is said community is required.
only three times.
to have specialized in private investi- As for Pridemore, it’s no wonder
gation as much as law.
that local columnist Betty Bean asks,
Are voters being asked to To be an effective Chancellor “Who the heck is Clarence ‘Eddie’
elect a man or a party label?
requires attorneys’ respect. Incum- Pridemore?” in writing about the
Pridemore claims his number one bent Chancellor Daryl Fansler is widespread bipartisan support Chan-
issue as Chancellor would be to treat highly respected by attorneys and cellor Fansler has received—includ-
every individual the same, yet he has served on the Board of Gover- ing area Republican Knox County
consistently refers to his events as nors of the Knoxville Bar Associa- Mayor Tim Burchett. Bean quotes
“meet and greets with fellow Repub- tion. Chancellor Fansler has taught former Knox County Republican
licans.” In seeking a judicial office for
law at the University of Tennessee;
Party chair Chad Tindell as saying he
PAID FOR BY KNOXVILLE FOR FAIRNESS AND JUSTICE, RHEA RICHARDSON, TREASURER.
NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE.