Partying (and voting) for Nathan Rowell

Knox County Law Director candidate Nathan Rowell, left, with a fellow lawyer and friend, John Winemiller.

Knox County law director candidate Nathan Rowell, left, with a fellow lawyer and friend, John Winemiller, at the party on Tuesday. (Photo by John McCulley)

Doctors, lawyers, a college student and even a priest turned out Tuesday at a fun little fundraiser for Nathan Rowell, a Republican candidate for Knox County law director.

Rowell brought “awws” from the crowd at Blue Coast Grill & Bar on Market Square when he told how he decided to enter the race. Seems he had been approached by several people — mostly lawyers — who were concerned about the direction of the current Knox County law director’s office. But Rowell really couldn’t imagine entering the race. After all, unlike the current law director, a former Knox County Commissioner, Rowell had never been a politician or run for any office.

As more people approached him, he thought and thought about it. Finally, unable to make a decision, he left it up to a higher power. “Give me a sign,” he asked on a Sunday during a quiet time at Church Street United Methodist Church where he is a lay leader.

The very next day he ran into another lawyer friend at the Bistro on Gay Street. The friend mentioned the late Robert Watson, a founder of Rowell’s law firm, Watson Roach. “The week before Robert was diagnosed (with pancreatic cancer),” the friend told Rowell, “he said he was going to talk to you about running for law director.”

It was Rowell’s sign. Robert Watson had been his long-term mentor. “I always did whatever Robert said,” Nathan told the crowd on Tuesday. “And I still did what he told me.”

My husband, Alan Carmichael, introducing Nathan Rowell at the party we co-hosted Tuesday night. From left, Rowell, Gary and Julia Bentley, our co-hosts, and me, at right.

My husband, Alan Carmichael, introducing Nathan Rowell at the party we co-hosted Tuesday night. From left, Rowell, Gary and Julia Bentley, our co-hosts, and me, at right. (Photo by John McCulley)

Alan and I do not normally get involved in local political races except for those involving folks in the Haslam and Duncan families, since we have been close to them for so long. But we decided to make an exception in the case of the race for Knox County law director, and we volunteered to help the Nathan Rowell campaign.

Rowell is running for law director for all the right reasons. He wants to bring his 20 years of experience in governmental law to a position that requires a very high level of legal expertise and professionalism.

As Rowell says, he is a professional, not a politician. The issues that confront county government require someone in the law director’s job to have a keen intellect, excellent training, expertise and the ability to rise above politics.

Rowell is the only person in the race for law director who has that type of experience. He has represented Knox County, the Knox County Board of Education, the City of Knoxville, Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee and scores of other cities and counties. He was a clerk for two judges on the Tennessee Court of Appeals before joining Watson Roach in 1997.

Friends, a law director needs to stand above politics, not be a tool of it. The issues are too important for advice that shifts with political winds. The people of Knox County deserve representation that is based on the best legal advice possible — independent of special interests.

The Republican primary is March 1. To vote for Rowell, you need to vote in the Republican primary — there is no Democratic candidate.

I told you it was a fun party! From left, Charles Fells, an Episcopal priest; his wife, Susan Sgarlet, and lawyer John Eldridge.

I told you it was a fun party! From left, Charles Fels, an Episcopal priest; his wife, Susan Sgarlat, a lawyer and chaplain; and lawyer John Eldridge. (Photo by Lauren Miller)

Dr. Doug Leahy, left, and Realtor Jim Nichols. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Dr. Doug Leahy, left, and Realtor Jim Nichols. (Photo by John McCulley)

From left, Wallace McClure, Joe Clayton, Nathan Rowell and Jim Clayton. (Photo by Lauren Miller.)

From left, Wallace McClure, Joe Clayton, Nathan Rowell and Jim Clayton. (Photo by Lauren Miller)

From left, Sue Piper, Nancy Bosson and Julia Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley.)

From left, Sue Piper, Nancy Bosson and Julia Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley)

Carmen and Harold Hicks. (Photo by Maria Cornelius.)

Carmen and Harold Hicks. (Photo by Maria Cornelius)

From left, Marigail Mullin, Susanne Hauk and Tom Mullin.

From left, Marigail Mullin, Susanne Hauk and Tom Mullin. (Photo by Lauren Miller)

Nathan Rowell, center, chats with , from left, Julia Bentley, Rosa Mar, Taylor Bentley and Gary Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Nathan Rowell, center, chats with , from left, Julia Bentley, Rosa Mar, Gary Bentley and Taylor Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley)

Lauren Miller checks out the buffet: guacamole, salsa and queso dip with chips, two kinds of flatbreads , and chicken tenders with two kind of sauces. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Lauren Miller checks out the buffet: guacamole, salsa and queso dip with chips, two kinds of flatbreads, and chicken tenders with two kind of sauces. (Photo by Maria Cornelius)

Scott Bird and Natalie Bailey were hard at work checking folks in. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Scott Bird and Natalie Bailey were hard at work checking in folks. (Photo by John McCulley)

John Griess, left, with Lou Moran, Rowell's campaign treasurer. (Photo by John McCulley.)

John Griess, left, with Lou Moran, Rowell’s campaign treasurer. (Photo by John McCulley)

George and Susan Wilson. (Photo by John McCulley.)

George and Susan Wilson. (Photo by John McCulley)

Dawn Ford, left, with Barry and Madge Cleveland. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Dawn Ford, left, with Barry and Madge Cleveland. (Photo by John McCulley)

Jennifer Holder, left, with Kent and Kim Lauth. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Jennifer Holder, left, with Kent and Kim Lauth. (Photo by John McCulley)

Cole Piper, left, and Taylor Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Cole Piper, left, and Taylor Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley)

It was a very social crowd. (Photo by John McCulley.)

It was a very social crowd. (Photo by John McCulley)

Pat Bellingrath, left, with Kim Morton. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Pat Bellingrath, left, with Kim Morton. (Photo by John McCulley)

From left, Jack Barlow, Diane Humphreys-Barlow, Cole and Sue Piper. (Photo by John McCulley.)

From left, Jack Barlow, Diane Humphreys-Barlow, Cole and Sue Piper. (Photo by John McCulley)

Upstairs at the Blue Coast Grill and Bar is a cool place for a party. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Upstairs at the Blue Coast Grill & Bar is a cool place for a party. (Photo by John McCulley)

From left, Nancy and Jeff Goodson with Julia, Taylor and Gary Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley.)

From left, Nancy and David Goodson with Julia, Taylor and Gary Bentley. (Photo by John McCulley)

Lots of socializing, of course. (Photo by Maria Cornelius.)

Lots of socializing, of course. (Photo by Maria Cornelius)

Lynne Fugate, center, with Nathan Rowell, left, and Lou Moran. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Lynne Fugate, center, with Nathan Rowell, left, and Lou Moran. (Photo by John McCulley)

Dr. Doug Leahy, left, with Susan and Brian Bosson. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Dr. Doug Leahy, left, with Nancy and Brian Bosson. (Photo by John McCulley)

From left, Gregory Goodman, Reese Thomas, Jim Clayton, Wallace McClure and Joe Clayton. (Photo by Lauren Miller.)

From left, Gregory Goodman, Reese Thomas, Jim Clayton, Wallace McClure and Joe Clayton. (Photo by Lauren Miller)

Alan making remarks. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Alan making remarks. (Photo by John McCulley)

Nathan Rowell making remarks. (Photo by Maria Cornelius.)

Nathan Rowell making remarks. (Photo by Maria Cornelius)

Great volunteers, from left: Lauren Miller, Maria Cornelius and Natalie Bailey. (Photo by John McCulley.)

Great volunteers, from left: Lauren Miller, Maria Cornelius and Natalie Bailey. (Photo by John McCulley)

John McCulley and Lauren Miller. (Photo by Maria Cornelius.)

John McCulley and Lauren Miller. (Photo by Maria Cornelius)

Would you like to put a sign in your yard or make a donation? Please call XXX-XXXX.

Would you like to put a sign in your yard or make a donation? Please email Nathan Rowell at [email protected] or his campaign manager, Gary Drinnen, at [email protected]. (Photo by John McCulley)

Early voting starts Feb. 10. Election day is March 1. Please vote in the Republican primary and vote for Nathan Rowell.

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16 Responses to Partying (and voting) for Nathan Rowell

  1. Rusha Sams, on February 4th, 2016 at 2:54 pm said:

    Thanks for sharing the pictures and info about Rowell. He does sound like a professional, not a politician!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on February 4th, 2016 at 3:17 pm said:

    Rusha: Thanks for your comment. Please spread the news to all your friends. The incumbent is an old time politico — and all that that implies. Nathan is truly a much better qualified candidate.

  3. Maria Cornelius, on February 4th, 2016 at 3:33 pm said:

    If there were ever a time to rock the vote, it’s now! Very impressive candidate and gentleman.

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on February 4th, 2016 at 3:37 pm said:

    Maria: You are absolutely right! Thanks so much for all your help with the party.

  5. Lillian Mashburn, on February 4th, 2016 at 4:47 pm said:

    Good man! Will try to get as many votes as possible. He did well on Channel 10 last Sunday.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on February 4th, 2016 at 4:50 pm said:

    Thanks, Lillian! We are very concerned about name recognition, so please talk him up!

  7. Stacey Rivers, on February 4th, 2016 at 5:13 pm said:

    Cynthia, I hated to miss the party Tuesday night! We have a yard sign, but still need to mail in our contribution. Can you provide the campaign address or should I message Lou directly? Thank you!

  8. Vicky Ferguson, on February 4th, 2016 at 6:39 pm said:

    Vote for Nathan – I served on the Wesley House Board with him. His intentions are pure & integrity impeccable. Sorry I missed the party but my support is in tact!

  9. Jeff Rusk, on February 4th, 2016 at 7:42 pm said:

    I have taken scores of depositions with Nathan over many years. I can definitely attest to his legal knowledge and professionalism. He will make a great law director.

    Jeff Rusk
    Jeff Rusk Court Reporting & Video

  10. Cynthia Moxley, on February 4th, 2016 at 8:18 pm said:

    Thank you, Stacey, Vicky and Jeff for your supportive statements.

    Everybody: Checks should be made payable to “Committee to Elect Nathan Rowell” and mailed to The Committee to Elect Nathan Rowell, 850 Volunteer Landing Lane, #105, Knoxville, TN 37915.

    Thank you so much!

  11. Sandra Powell Emond, on February 4th, 2016 at 8:47 pm said:

    I had already planned to vote for him! Seems exceptionally well-qualified.

  12. Cynthia Moxley, on February 4th, 2016 at 8:49 pm said:

    That’s great, Sandra! He is so very qualified. Thanks so much. Spread the word!

  13. Fay Bailey Carr, on February 7th, 2016 at 4:31 pm said:

    Cynthia I am planning to vote for Nathan. He is very impressive.

  14. Fay Bailey Carr, on February 7th, 2016 at 4:35 pm said:

    Cynthia I am planning to vote for Nathan. Very impressive young man.

  15. Dorothy Bowles, on February 11th, 2016 at 10:19 pm said:

    Proud to say that Nathan was a student in my Communication Law class at UT, and I was one of his earliest campaign contributors. Will definitely vote for him.

  16. Cynthia Moxley, on February 11th, 2016 at 11:06 pm said:

    Thanks, Fay and Dorothy! He is very well qualified and a great guy.

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