WEEK 6:
Jason Emert joined 10news in the kitchen to make a Peanut Butter Pie and share with voters why he thinks he's the best choice for the seat.
VIDEO:
Emert joined the race in November and says his campaign will champion individual freedom, limited government and strong national defense and homeland security.
He's worked to visit ever county and meet with voters to hear their thoughts and share what he's all about.
"We offer something different, I'm obviously younger, I'm proud of that, it's a newer generation thats coming and I think it's time for change." said Emert.
Emert is a Southern Illinois University grad, but is a hometown guy, graduating from Farragut High School. He now lives in Blount County with is wife Lauren.
"We can't keep relying on career politicians to solve problems int he mess they've created." said Emert.
RECIPE:
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Mix together the above ingredients in a mixer or with a blender, then add in:
1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Finally, spoon mix into pie crust and chill for 2 hours in the fridge.
Garnish with miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped
WEEK 5:
Vito Sagliano joined us to make an Italian egg sandwich and explain his decision to run for Congress.
VIDEO:
The Republican candidate made an Italian egg sandwich which he says is close to his heritage.
"Growing up, this was one of those things, we didn't call it an Italian egg sandwich, we just called it an egg sandwich," he said.
Sagliano's great grandparents came to America from Italy where he still has some family. He is a 19-year Navy veteran and wants to represent veterans well.
"When I was getting out, I had a lot of issues, fell in the gray zone, didn't get the chance to regular retire and I don't want other people to have the same problem," he said.
Sagliano says he plans to run his grass-roots campaign on the promise that he will follow through to his constituents.
"The biggest thing is we have not had our voices heard by the congress or any of our elected. As soon as they get there they forget us and for me, that's one of those things I don't agree with."
Because of this, Sagliano runs a door-to-door campaign asking people their concerns. So far, he has hit around 4,400 homes.
RECIPE:
-Take aged pepper mix of olive oil, hot cherry peppers, garlic, fresh oregano and herbs of your choosing
-Pour onto a medium-heat pan
-Pop on an egg and cook until the egg is firm
-Place on bread of your choosing
-"BWAM! You have a sandwich."
WEEK 4:
Representative Jimmy Matlock came on 10News Weekend to cook a family chili recipe and explain why he's running for Congress.
VIDEO:
The Republican candidate made a chili recipe from all local products, something he says is related to his campaign mission to grow local jobs. "Much of what you see is really what I'm about," he said. "We believe that critical jobs are produced locally."
Matlock announced his run for Congress shortly after Congressman Jimmy Duncan announced that he would not seek re-election in 2018. Currently, Matlock represents Tennessee's 21st district serving parts of Loudon and Monroe Counties for 11 years.
"I have been somewhat frustrated with America. I want to make a difference," said Matlock. "With serious issues going on, I think a serious candidate needs to be involved. I've been in business, involved with communities, organizations, bank boards and church boards. Those things go together to make a well-rounded candidate."
RECIPE:
(ingredients to taste)
-Wampler's hot sausage
-Grainger County Tomatoes
-Bush's baked chili beans
-Sweetwater Valley Farm sharp yellow cheddar
-Weigel's Milk
-Mayfield Sour Cream
WEEK 3:
Renee Hoyos joined us to make Mexican hot chocolate and speak about why she believes she is the best candidate for Tennessee's second congressional district seat.
VIDEO:
Hoyos says she decided to make Mexican hot chocolate because it is a drink close to her heritage and family.
"This is a traditional drink in the Mexican community and it's really simple to make," she said. "We have this all the time, especially around Christmas."
Hoyos is a Mexican-American originally from California who has called Knoxville home for 14 years. She says her platform makes her the best candidate to swing the traditionally Republican seat.
"My campaign is really about empowering the working class because the working class is the engine of this society and what we're seeing now, I think from the Republicans is a destruction of this class through the new tax bill. I really want to work towards putting more money in the hands of working people so they can spend it and be a part of that engine," she said.
RECIPE:
-1 cup Cruze Farm whole milk
-2 pieces of Ibarra chocolate (available at Mexican food stores)
-Heat and enjoy!
WEEK 2:
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett joined us to make a bologna sandwich and explain why he is running for Tennessee's second congressional district seat.
VIDEO:
Burchett said he chose a bologna sandwich for two reasons. First, it reminds him of his past. "If you grew up at 8220 Bennington Drive you ate a lot more bologna than steak," he said. The second reason for cooking the dish is a play on words. "We don't need more baloney in Washington but that's spelled b-a-l-o-n-e-y but this is b-o-l-o-g-n-a," he said.
Mayor Burchett said he hopes people vote for him for three reasons. "First one's healthcare, it's a disaster," he said. "Second is our VA. Our soldiers should be able to take their VA card and go to their local doctor or pharmacist. The third is energy independence. We cannot keep paying our enemies for energy, we have to keep it here."
RECIPE:
-Fry bologna on a skillet until center bubbles
-Fip once and brown the other side
-Place between two slices of white bread
-Enjoy!
WEEK 1:
Dr. Joshua Williams came on 10News Weekend to make a sweet potato casserole and explain why he thinks he is fit for Tennessee's second congressional district seat.
VIDEO:
Williams says the dish is close to his family.
"In my family, going back to my mom's days, there was always a family tradition of making a sweet potato casserole. And by the way, sweet potatoes are supposed to be one of the most nutritious and healthy potatoes that you can eat," he said.
Williams says he brings a unique perspective to the campaign as a business owner, hospital administrator and clinical psychologist.
"I'm the only candidate running who can promise to protect Medicare and social security. I really do think healthcare is a right and not a privilege," he said.
Williams announced his campaign a year before the election.
RECIPE:
Ingredients:
4 Large sweet potatoes (or 2 large cans of sweet potatoes, drained)
2 Tablespoons Butter
½ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Cup light brown sugar
¼ Cup cream or half and half
1/8 Teaspoon ground nutmeg (or ground cinnamon) ¾ Marshmallows
Wash sweet potatoes, and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for about an hour.
Let potatoes sit for about 10 minutes, and then cut them in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out potato pulp into a large bowl and put the skins aside. Add melted butter, salt, brown sugar and cream to the bowl. Mash potatoes with a fork at first, and then beat with a whisk until the potatoes are fluffy. Stir in nutmeg or cinnamon.
Place potatoes in a buttered casserole dish. Just before serving, place potato casserole in a warm oven (325 degrees) for about half an hour. Add marshmallows to the top, return to the oven, and bake until marshmallows are a light brown. Enjoy!
WBIR has invited all candidates running for the second congressional district seat to join Campaign Cook-off. To learn more about the race, click here.
