KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- He won't lack for name recognition, thanks to the 45 years his father and grandfather have served as East Tennessee's voice in Congress.

For a complete list of candidates for Knox County office who have picked up a nominating petition, CLICK HERE.

But why John J, Duncan III, 29, trying to trade a career in banking to become Knox County's Trustee?

"I've had numerous roles within the bank, from managing employees to auditing to loan review to compliance--all sorts of things that can help me.

"It's time we returned to a conservative, citizen-centered approach."

Tammy Sommers had been planning to run for Knox County School Board for awhile. She has two children, and worked as a teacher and guidance counselor before coming Chief Operating Officer of a West Knox County commercial realty firm.

"But there was a period of time I needed to take a break, and do what I needed to do to get better," she says.

That period came after she suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds at the hands of a man who killed two people in a shooting incident at her church, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist, in July 2008.

Friday, she picked up nominating petitions to run for the 9th District
seat.

"It's true I believe I am meant to be here, and it's something I was mean to be doing," she says.

"There's a lot of stuff on the ballot this time," says Greg Mackay, director of the Knox County Election Commission.

"Most every county office, except the judges and tax assessor, is up for election."

Getting on Knox County's primary ballot is relatively easy.

You need signatures from 25 people registered to vote in Knox County. If running for a 'district' office such as County Commissioner or School Board, those signatures must come from voters within your district.

Candidates must appoint a campaign treasurer, and return their petitions for verification by February 18, 2010.

"You're gonna see people take a real hard look at who they're gonna be running against," says Mike Hammond, one of three Commissioners who represents Knox County's 5th District

The Commission is shrinking from 19 members to 11; one Commissioner for each of Knox County's nine Districts, and two new 'At-Large' members elected county-wide.

Hammond is moving out of District, so he's opted to run for one of the At-Large seats.

"It's a totally different ball game, he says.

"From a financial standpoint and being able to go countywide and doing the things you do."

"There's no telling what's gonna happen," Mackay says.

Incumbent Sheriff "JJ" Jones, County Clerk Foster Arnett, and Register of Deeds Sherry Witt have obtained petitions to run for their respective offices. All are seeking their first 'full' terms; each won elections to fill the unexpired terms of officeholders forced out by term limits.

As of Friday Trustee Fred Sisk had not picked up his nominating petitions, but he has appointed a campaign Treasurer, according to Election Commission records.