District 5

Current officeholder

• 
  Angela Russell (Republican)

  Since Sep 1, 2024

  This seat’s voting record →

Angela Russell on the issues

• License-plate readers & surveillance cameras · voted on 4 decisions · none split

  • Aug 31, 2026 Aye Emergency Ordinance limiting surveillance technology deployment — adopted 11-0-0-0
  • Jul 27, 2026 Said That should have been drafted and in concrete before the first camera was ever put up. Watch at 2:31:43

• Data centers · voted on 4 decisions · none split

  • May 18, 2026 Aye Request Planning Commission to amend zoning for data centers — adopted 9-0-1-1

• Growth plan & zoning rewrite · voted on 2 decisions · 1 split

  • Oct 28, 2024 Aye Approve contract for creation of Unified Development Ordinance — adopted 10-1-0-0

• Property taxes & reappraisal · voted on 10 decisions · 1 split

  • Jul 27, 2026 Abstain Require budget adoption in two readings (First Reading) — failed 2-7-2-0
  • Jul 27, 2026 Said And then the third time they tax it is when they do property taxes. Watch at 3:20:33

• Developer tax breaks (PILOTs) · voted on 3 decisions · 3 split

  • Aug 31, 2026 No Delegate authority to IDB to negotiate/waive PILOTs for DWF John Sevier, LLC project — adopted 7-4-0-0
  • Aug 31, 2026 Aye Delegate authority to IDB to negotiate/waive PILOTs for DWF John Sevier, LLC project — failed 4-7-0-0
  • Jul 27, 2026 Aye Delegate authority to IDB for PILOT negotiations for DWF John Sevier, LLC project — deferred 10-1-0-0

• Homelessness & shelters · voted on 3 decisions · 3 split

  • Nov 18, 2024 Abstain Approve Written Standards for Rapid Re-Housing Program — adopted 8-2-1-0
  • Nov 18, 2024 No Approve Written Standards for Rapid Re-Housing Program — failed 2-9-0-0
  • Nov 18, 2024 Abstain Approve Amendment One to CDBG Contract for Homeward Bound Program — adopted 8-1-2-0

• School buildings & new schools · voted on 17 decisions · none split

  • May 18, 2026 Aye Approve agreement with Skilled Services Quality Construction, LLC for school projects — adopted 11-0-0-0

• ICE & the 287(g) agreement · voted on 3 decisions · 1 split

  • Aug 25, 2025 Aye Honor Knox County Sheriff's Office and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement — adopted 7-3-1-0

• The juvenile detention center · voted on 13 decisions · 11 split

  • Mar 23, 2026 No Ordinance on second reading: Juvenile Service Center control and advisory board — adopted 10-1-0-0
  • Feb 25, 2026 Abstain Restructure oversight of Juvenile Service Center and create advisory board — adopted 8-1-2-0
  • Feb 25, 2026 Aye Restructure oversight of Juvenile Service Center and create advisory board — failed 3-8-0-0
  • Feb 25, 2026 Aye Restructure oversight of Juvenile Service Center and create advisory board — failed 3-8-0-0

• County ethics rules · voted on 14 decisions · 1 split

  • Aug 25, 2025 Aye Amend Commission Rules regarding Commissioners serving on committees with family — failed 1-10-0-0

• Hillside & ridgetop protection · voted on 10 decisions · 3 split

  • Mar 16, 2026 No Rezone Ball Camp School Road property to higher density residential — adopted 6-5-0-0
  • Aug 18, 2025 Aye Rezone 0 Ball Road (Parcel ID 078 254) A to PR, up to 1.7 dwelling units/acre — adopted 10-1-0-0
  • Oct 21, 2024 Aye Initiate Plan Amendment — failed 3-7-0-1

Who has held this seat

1. Angela Russell (Republican) Current Sep 1, 2024 – present
2. John Schoonmaker (Republican) Sep 1, 2020 – Aug 31, 2024