Public Trust PAC

6 News reported on our evening edition tonight, the formation of the Public Trust PAC. The political action committee hopes to encourage political newcomers to run for office.

The committee is co-chaired by two of the most distinguished and arguably most trusted former politicians in the area: former State Senator Ben Atchley and former County Executive Tommy Schumpert.

I spoke with Atchley earlier today. He says the committee doesn't plan to recruit candidates. But he says, it will assess them, fund them and endorse the ones the committee feels offers Knox County the best opportunity for "good" and "open" government.

Atchley says defining "good" government can be tricky, but says we all know it when we see it. He says because of term limits, Knox County will see lots of turnover in 2008 and 2010.

Creating the PAC seemed to committee members, a good way to encourage new candidates to enter the field.

"Asking friends and supporters for money," says Atchley, "is one of the hardest things for new candidates to do," says Atchley.

The Public Interest PAC will make that easier he said.

"We'll help those who make themselves known to us," Atchley says. "And hopefully, through the PAC's donations, those candidates can remain independent."

In addition to Atchley and Schumpert, David Moon, Sam Furrow, Henrietta Grant, Sherry Lee and Suzanne Shriver are also on the committee.