KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Republican Knox County mayoral candidate State Senator Tim Burchett named his senior campaign adviser in a news release Tuesday.

Burchett named veteran campaign strategist Dean Rice to the top adviser post.

Rice has served on campaigns in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C. He's worked closely with U.S. Senators Fred Thompson and Elizabeth Dole, as well as U.S. Congressman John J. "Jimmy" Duncan, Jr. He's also Duncan's campaign treasurer. Rice is a founding partner in the Tennessee-based government relations firm Pratt, Pratt & Rice.

"Dean brings a great deal of experience to the table, both in terms of political campaigns and policy development," Burchett said, "but just as importantly, he is a friend whose judgment I trust."

"Tim (Burchett) is, without a doubt, the right person to lead this county. He has tremendous experience and is known by everyone for his straightforward honest style of leadership," Rice said. "That is exactly what Knox county needs right now, and I am excited to be a part of his campaign."

Burchett's opponent in the Republican primary, former Knox County Sheriff Tim Hutchison, could not be reached for comment. The phone number for Hutchison listed with the Knox County Election Commission was not answered. A call to his treasurer, C. Dewitt Ingram, was not answered.

While Hutchison has not formally launched his mayoral campaign, he did appoint his campaign treasurer on Oct. 13.

The Knox County primary is scheduled from May 4, 2010.