Armstrong kicks off campaign for Chancery Court, Part II

By Ken Lay

Throughout his tenure as Knox County Law Director, Richard “Bud” Armstrong prided himself on serving the people. He was the “people’s lawyer.”

Now, Armstrong, who is seeking a seat on Knox County Chancery Court, vows to be the “People’s Chancellor.”

“I want the people of Knox County to have a pick, to have a choice,” said Armstrong, who is one of two challengers bidding to unseat incumbent chancellor Clarence Pridemore for Knox County Chancery Court, Part II. “I am always for the people of Knox County.”

Armstrong officially kicked off his campaign for the Chancery Court seat Thursday night with a meet-and-greet event at Calhoun’s on the River, where he individually spoke with supporters, friends and well-wishers.

Deno Cole is also running for Pridemore’s seat on the court.

Armstrong served as county law director between 2013-2021 and when his term was complete he was replaced by longtime friend and colleague David Buuck. Armstrong had said that he would not return to the Knox County Law Director’s office but that certainly didn’t mean that he wasn’t finished serving the people of the county.

“I said that I wouldn’t return to the law office,” Armstrong said. “This is different.

“Before, you told people what the laws were. Now, you settle disputes between people and the Chancery Court is a court of equity.”

Chancery Court hears lawsuits, contract disputes, applications for injunctions and name changes, worker’s compensation cases and divorces.

The history of chancery courts goes back to England.

“It is English History,” Armstrong said. “It was designed because you had the King’s Court and the decisions of the King’s Court were too harsh.”

He vows to interpret the law without prejudice as a Constitutionalist.

“Our constitution starts with ‘We, the People,’ and I am a Constitutionalist,” Armstrong said.

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