My name is Martin Ammons, and I am running for re-election as Treasurer of the Knox County Republican Party. It has been a great privilege to serve Knox County Republicans for the last two years, and I hope to continue to serve as a voice for conservatives on the Knox County Executive Committee.
My Faith
I am a biblical Christian, and my faith shapes my understanding of the world and everything in it. I committed my life to Christ when I was ten years old. I have been a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in South Knox County for 30 years, serving as a greeter, an adult Sunday School teacher, a deacon, chairman of the deacons, and as a pastoral search team member.
My church has licensed me to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and I have preached at my home church, as well as at other churches on occasion.
Political Philosophy
I am an America First Constitutional conservative.
General Background
I was born in 1971 in Knoxville, TN and was raised in Madisonville, TN. In 1989, I returned to Knoxville to attend the University of Tennessee.
I graduated with Highest Honors in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
I spent five years in the commercial banking industry as a branch manager and commercial loan officer before leaving to work for my in-laws in a small tarp manufacturing business, Hobby Industries, Inc.
After working for 24 years at Hobby Industries, where I performed both manufacturing and accounting functions, I went to work for Trailer Specialists of Knoxville, where I continue to manufacture high quality specialty tarpaulins, primarily for the trucking industry.
I was married for twenty-four years to my wife, Cindy Hobby Ammons, who passed away in 2020 after a series of chronic health issues. I have no children. I have lived in Knox County for thirty-six years and in South Knox County (District Nine) for twenty-seven years.
Political Background
While at the University of Tennessee, I was active in College Republicans. Upon graduating from college, I worked on a couple of political campaigns under the tutelage of the late Lloyd Daugherty and the Tennessee Conservative Union.
After taking time away from active engagement in politics, I became re-engaged in March of 2021. Since then, I have contributed both time and money to nineteen different Republican candidates running in local city, county, and state level races. Helping to elect my State Representative Elaine Davis and my Ninth District County Commissioner Andy Fox have been my primary emphasis.
I was elected as the Treasurer of the Knox County Republican Party in 2023. During the last two years, I have handled the routine tasks of the Treasurer’s office — writing checks, making deposits, and filing campaign finance disclosures with the State of Tennessee. I have also drafted several resolutions concerning following the state party bylaws, strategic funding of Knox County Republican candidates, and holding “Republicans” accountable when they inexplicably support Democrats in general elections.
Goals For the Upcoming Two Years
I hope that I can continue to serve all Knox County Republicans as the party Treasurer and as a voting member of the County Executive Committee I will advocate for the following:
- Year around candidate recruiting and more rigorous vetting of those wishing to run for office as Republicans
- Better communication of Republican Party principles and party goals
- A more consistent and engaging digital presence
- Improved fundraising efforts
Together, we can elect Republicans in both Knox County and in the City of Knoxville and move our county in the Right direction. I desire to make the Knox County Republican Party the voice of grassroots Republicans. I humbly ask for your vote on March 29.