Knox County State’s Attorney Jeremy Karlin announced Sunday that he would not run for re-election in 2024.
The announcement on Facebook from the Democrat comes as a surprise since he had previously announced a run for a second term in July
Karlin says his decision primarily comes from a desire to spend more time with family and friends.
He insists that his not running has nothing to do with a concern regarding re-election.
Karlin says running on his “record of accomplishment and a history of vigorous issue-based campaigning”, he’s confident he would defeat any future challengers.
Karlin defeated former Assistant State’s Attorney Brian Kerr for his one term in 2020.
Some of the accomplishments that Karlin says he is proud of include opposing probation for gun crimes, managing the county’s response to the SAFE-T Act, creating a diversion program, and increased transparency.
In a statement Karlin says, “I thank my family and children for their patience and understanding while I have been physically and mentally absent tending to my duties. Lastly, I wish to thank you, the voters of Knox County, whose faith in this new vision for the office made all of this possible.”
In his tenure, Karlin’s office has also successfully prosecuted several homicides including convictions for Maquesha Ramey, Donald Denniston, and Hazel Ivy.
Karlin’s departure from the race leaves Republican Ashley Worby as the only known candidate for the office in 2024, although there are still several weeks to file petitions.