Beau Hawk

Democratic Candidate - Knox County Mayor

Research

Campaign Finance

In 2026, Hawk has received an aggregate $47,660 in total contributions for his campaign for Knox County Mayor.
Hawk has received funds from labor interests, including local labor union PACs, national fundraising arm of the United Food and Commercial Workers, and the President of the Tennessee AFL-CIO. ▪ In 2026, Hawk received $3,000 from the Knoxville Building Trades PAC Fund.
In 2026, Hawk received $2,000 from The International Association Of Heat & Frost Insulators PAC.
In 2026, Hawk received $2,000 from Ironworkers Local 384 PAC Fund.
In 2026, Hawk received $1,000 from Tennessee Laborers PAC.
In 2026, Hawk received $1,000 from American Income Life (AIL-PAC).
In 2026, Hawk received $500 from JB Moss Voice Of The Electorate Vote Fund, the federal political arms of the United Food And Commercial Workers (UFCW).
In 2026, Hawk received $250 from Billy Dycus, the President of the Tennessee AFL-CIO Labor Council.
In 2026, Hawk received $500 from Madeline Rogero, a former mayor of Knoxville from 2011 to 2019.
In 2026, Hawk Received $500 From Andrew Robert, an attorney and a Knoxville city council member.
In 2026, Hawk received $250 from Katherine Bike, a sitting member of the Knox County Board Of Education.
In 2026, Hawk received $100 from Courtney Durrett, a sitting Knox County commissioner for District 2.
In 2026, Hawk received $100 from Debbie Helsley, a “retired” local labor leader who now previously ran for Mayor of Knox County.

Property

Hawk does not currently own property, he appears to live at a rental property in Knoxville.
- “A renter himself, Beau knows renters deserve dignity, power, and more options, and he’ll work to stop corporate landlords from turning our communities into profit machines.” (Hawk For Knox, Accessed 6/15/26)

Pro-Union

Hawk prioritizes labor union members and policies. In 2026, Hawk appeared to prioritize union members, campaigning to repeal anti-union policies and expand collective bargaining.
- In 2026, Hawk Appeared To Prioritize Union Members, Campaigning To Repeal Anti-Union Policies And Expand Collective Bargaining. “As a labor leader and ironworker, Beau believes the backbone of Knox County isn’t the boardroom – it’s on the jobsite, the workshop floor, and the union hall. He knows the best way to raise wages, protect jobs, and ensure dignity on the job is through strong unions and worker power. Beau will lead efforts to repeal anti-union policies, expand collective bargaining, and bring good-paying, union jobs back to Knox County communities – work he’s been doing as president of the Central Labor Council.” (Hawk For Knox, Accessed 6/15/26)
Hawk has received political endorsements from local labor unions, for which he is a member or executive.
In 2022, Hawk opposed Tennessee’s Amendment 1 proposal, a constitutional amendment to allow “right-to-work.”

Tax Policy

Hawk called for the wealthy to pay more taxes, while pledging no tax increases. In May 2025, Hawk voiced frustration in taxation, suggesting that corporations are not being taxed as much as Tennessee residents. In 2026, Hawk promoted May Day events to “rally for workers and against billionaires.”
- In March 2026, Hawk Suggested That The Affordability Crisis And Cost-Of-Living Were Largely Based On Low Worker Wages. “Cost of living is a highlight for the Hawk campaign. His website points to stagnating wages in an area of the country that’s becoming more and more expensive, saying ‘housing costs and rents are outpacing income, and the middle-class, single-earner household is becoming a thing of the past.’” (WVLT 8, 3/11/26)

Affordability and Cost of Living

Hawk advocates that affordable housing a is right and has stated that he would “fight to make housing affordable for the people who actually live and work in Knox county”
In 2026, Hawk suggested that the affordability crisis and cost-of-living were largely based on low worker wages.
Hawk supports an $18 minimum wage for all Knox County employees.
- In 2026, Hawk Stated That He Supports An $18 Minimum Wage For All Knox County Employees. (Hawk For Knox, Accessed 6/15/26)

School Choice

Hawk strongly opposes school choice as a “crooked scheme.”
Hawk opposes school vouchers and suggested that are part of a “crooked…scheme” to weaken public schools.
In 2026, Hawk argued that he would “take on the billionaires and special interests coming into Tennessee to privatize our schools.”

Social Agenda

Hawk is an environmental justice warrior.
In 2026, Hawk stated that he “believes in environmental justice”
In 2026, Hawk has advocated for green spaces, stated that he will prioritize “vibrant parks and green spaces”
In 2016, Hawk protested the Dakota Accessed Pipeline in Colorado, in solidarity with the indigenous people of Standing Rock
Hawk opposes AI data centers, but largely based on their financial benefits to corporation. In 2026, Hawk appeared to oppose AI data centers, arguing “Knox County’s farmland, water supply, and power grid aren’t bargaining chips for out-of-state corporations looking for the next place to park a hyper-scale ai data center.”
In 2020, Hawk attended a protest in Caracas, Venezuela, in support for President Nicolas Maduro and the “Bolivarian government.”
Hawk was a reported member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). The FRSO is “a national organization of revolutionaries fighting for socialism in the United States.”
The FRSO promotes material for “people to develop their understanding of Marxism-Leninism.”
In 2026, the FRSO adopted an anti-Israel resolution, which declared the group’s support for Palestine, calling for an end to Israel’s homeland control, and invoke the historical “al Nakba” in condemning Israel’s recent defense after Hamas’ October 7 massacre.
The FRSO openly supported and saluted Hamas’ October 7 massacre against Israel.
As of March 2026, Hawk reportedly only voted twice in Knox county, having been registered to since August 2023.
Hawk has condemned national Republican policies, while pledging “full support” for local Republican candidates. In 2025, Hawk stated that his local labor unions were concerned over Trump policies, as it related to federal funding.
- Hawk appeared to support union lawsuits against Trump executive orders and suggested that “people stand in solidarity with these workers”
- In 2026, Hawk offered his “full support” to Republican nominee for Knox County Sheriff, Brent Gibson
Hawk called for the wealthy to pay more in taxes
- In May 2025, Hawk Voiced Frustration In Taxation, Suggesting That Corporations Are Not Being Taxed As Much As Tennessee Residents. “‘We pay some of the highest taxes on groceries in the country and billion-dollar companies are paying nothing. And now they are getting tens of thousands in refunds. I can’t make that make sense,’ said Beau Hawk, President of the Knoxville Central Labor Council, another coalition partner.” (WJLA ABC 7, 5/31/25)
- In April 2026, Hawk Promoted May Day Events To “Rally For Workers And Against Billionaires.” “THIS FRIDAY! Join workers across Knoxville on Friday, May 1st at 5pm in Market Square for our May Day Rally! May Day is an international holiday honoring labor rights and worker solidarity. Nationwide there is a labor-led coordinated day of action this year calling for no work, no school, and no shopping. A coalition of Knoxville based labor unions and community organizations are gathering on May Day to rally for workers and against billionaires and ICE in our state and community. We’ll hear from labor leaders in Knoxville as well as local singing artists!” (Instagram, 4/29/26)

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