Glenn Jacobs, expected to be elected mayor is a libertarian. What that means for Knox County.

Search “Glenn Jacobs” on Google and once you get past stories transcribing his rise to being the GOP nominee for Knox County mayor and once you get past the videos of him as WWE wrestler Kane throwing much smaller people around the wrestling ring, you will find old blog posts and political essays with his byline.

For years, Jacobs has been one of the largest proponents for the libertarian brand of Republican politics. The tenants of the brand include two major focuses: pushing for individual freedoms and being, at times, very fiscally conservative. 

Jacobs, the former WWE wrestler known by the stage name Kane, campaigned on those beliefs and used his name to defeat Knox County Commissioners Brad Anders and Bob Thomas in the county primary Tuesday. With over 40,500 ballots cast, Jacobs defeated Anders by a mere 23 votes.

He will face Democratic primary winner, Linda Haney, in the Aug. 2 general election. He is expected to win handily.

Coming out strong

From 2007-2014, Jacobs wrote about his political views for the libertarian blog, LewRockwell.com, which claims it is “anti-state, anti-war and pro-market.” Jacobs doesn’t hide his feelings in the posts, most about particular social or government issues.

In his last post, in January 2014, Jacobs protested the National Security Agency’s process of tapping phones of citizens. He said privacy is a liberty he is not willing to lose.

“The world is an inherently dangerous place,” he wrote. “The idea that the government can protect us is patently absurd. All the government can do is to destroy our liberties while promoting the illusion of safety.

“President Dwight Eisenhower acknowledged this fact when he said that if you wanted real safety, go to prison,” he continued. “You get three meals and a bunk. Heck, you even get government health care. The only thing missing is freedom.”

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, is probably one of the most notable libertarians in government. He endorsed Jacobs last May.  

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Both were featured speakers at an event for the libertarian youth activist group Young Americans for Liberty in Atlanta last year.

“(Jacobs’) small government and pro-liberty philosophy of government – on education, the economy, regulation, taxes and more – is exactly what we need more of in our politics,” Paul said. “It’s why I think Glenn would be an excellent choice for mayor of Knox County.”

Limited government, low taxes

Jacobs toned down the rhetoric on the campaign trail over the past year, but he maintains his libertarian views.  

He favors limited government and keeping taxes low. Transparency in government along with improving roads and infrastructure are other issues he plans to support.    

Jacobs was very straightforward during the Knox County Mayoral Forum on Jewelry Television when he said he will not raise taxes if elected.

He said money the government spends on roads and schools isn’t doing what it should.

"’It’s going to go for roads,’ well, if that’s the case, then our roads would be made of gold,” he said. “’It’s going to go for schools,’ well then all of our kids should have PhDs because we spend a lot of money on that.”

Last Wednesday, Jacobs sat down in person with FoxNews’ Neil Cavuto for his show, Cavuto Live.

“With all the things that go on in our country I sometimes wonder what sort of world they’re (his grandchildren) going to inherit … so many times we see the things I believe in, the free enterprise system (and) individual liberty be really demonized,” he said.

He said he approves of how President Donald Trump has handled the presidency.

“I think Trump’s done a very good job, especially with the economy. You know, we see he’s cut regulation. I think the tax cuts really helped spur some growth. I’d like to see some spending cuts, but hopefully that’s coming.”

Jacobs said he doesn’t think Trump’s win was an anomaly because “whether you’re on the left or you’re on the right, we can see government doesn’t work for you and people are looking for folks who will work for them.”

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