Brooks ‘genuinely cared’ for community
Longtime Democratic leader, candidate dies
Democratic Party organizer, leader and Knoxville City Council candidate Cameron Brooks has died of complications related to his treatment for cancer.
Brooks previously served as the chairman of the Knox County Democratic Party and served as a Knox County election commissioner. In mid-August, he announced he had been diagnosed with nonHodgkin’s lymphoma. While his campaigning slowed after the diagnosis, he remained on the ballot, facing incumbent councilperson Lynne Fugate and fellow challenger Darin Worsham.
Brooks, 45, worked as a real estate agent, cared deeply about local elections and was an avid animal advocate.
“Cameron crossed the Rainbow Bridge shortly before 1:00 a.m. to round up our beloved 4-leggers before continuing on,” Brooks’ husband, Wes Knott, wrote on Facebook.
A statement from his campaign said he developed advanced sepsis during his first cancer treatment. Funeral arrangements are pending, and the campaign invited friends to make a donation in Brooks’ memory to the Young-Williams Animal Center.
Brooks finished three points behind Fugate in the Aug. 29 primary. He was set to challenge her in November’s general election. Knox County Election Administrator Chris Davis told Knox News on Sept. 1 that Brooks’ name will not appear on the November ballot and no other candidate will be listed other than Fugate, the top finisher.
Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett asked for prayers for Brooks’ loved ones at the Sept. 1 commission reorganization meeting.
“Cameron was exceptionally kind and compassionate and genuinely cared about his community. A good friend. I will miss him,” retired Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Sharon Lee wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Reporter Allie Feinberg contributed to this report.