Mortgage banker Jeff Talman is planning to run to succeed term-limited Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon in 2027. Talman appointed a campaign treasurer, the first step to run for office.
Talman’s campaign finances will be handled by retired educator Ernie Roberts, who served as treasurer for Talman's 2023 mayoral campaign. Notably, the treasurer appointment form is signed by Reagan Bittel, who ran the successful campaign of Knox County Sheriff Brent Gibson
.Talman appointed Roberts on Aug. 31, exactly one year before the general election to replace Kincannon.
"I believe in Knoxville," Talman told Knox News on Sept. 1. "I love my city. The reason I've been involved all along is I love my city. I think we're on the verge of a golden age and I want
to help unlock that golden age."
Talman unsuccessfully ran against Kincannon in 2023. The mayor captured 57.5% of the vote in the primary to secure the victory without having to run in the general election. Talman was a distant second out of three challengers, finishing with 29% of the vote. Talman also ran unsuccessfully in 2025 for city council against Matthew DeBardelaben, who won with 58% of the vote in District 4, which includes the Old North Knoxville and 4th and Gill neighborhoods.
In the 2025 election, Talman faced questions over whether he actually lives in District 4 because there was not a house on the land he owned. In the end, the Knox County Election Commission allowed him to stay on the ballot because he was building a duplex to live in. There is a home under construction at the site but he told Knox News he is not living there now.
"I can't spend the night there but that'll happen very quickly," Talman told Knox News on Sept. 1.
Though city elections are nonpartisan, Talman found support in 2025 from Republican voters and operatives who typically focus on partisan county politics. Talman was on the ballot at the same time as an unpopular sales tax increase proposed by Kincannon that was soundly defeated.
Knox News exclusively reported Aug. 17 that Talman was a prospective candidate among those knowledgeable about city politics. He is the only person who has filed paperwork to run in 2027. Other candidates have until May 20 to get on the ballot.
The primary election is Aug. 31. If a candidate for mayor or municipal judge gets a majority of the vote, there is not a runoff. Regardless of the August outcome in the city council primaries, there will be a runoff for those in the Nov. 2 general election.
In addition to mayor, Knoxville voters will choose three citywide councilmembers, the District 5 councilmember and the municipal judge.
Voters will also weigh in on a proposed changethat would eliminate the need for a runoff race for city council seats if one candidate gets 50% + 1 vote in primary elections after 2027.
Talman's address is an unfinished home
Talman listed the same address as his residence for this race that he did for his run in 2025.
As of Sept. 1, builders have made progress on the home at Talman's listed address, but it's unfinished and there is a zoning hearing pending for additions to the existing structure.
Knoxville's charter requires candidates to have been city residents for one year before the deadline to qualify for office, which is May 20.
"We'll be living here by the end of the year," Talman told Knox News.
Talman will not have to defend his residency unless a voter files a complaint with the Knox County Election Commission. If someone were to file a complaint, the election commission would hold a hearing.
Talman's paperwork isn't final, though. Candidates can update their addresses at any time before the May 20 qualification deadline.
Allie Feinberg is the politics reporter for Knox News. Email: allie.feinberg@knoxnews.com; Reddit: u/KnoxNewsAllie
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jeff Talman plans to run for Knoxville mayor in 2027
