Local businessman Mark Padgett said he has the vision to build on the city of Knoxville's gains in recent years as he announced his candidacy for mayor Monday.

Padgett cited three priorities on which the next mayor should be focused - creating and attracting more 21st-century jobs, making the city more user-friendly and continuing improvements downtown.

"Knoxville is poised to turn a significant corner and build on the progress of the last seven years, and I believe I'm the right person to lead the way," said Padgett, the son of former Knox County clerk Mike Padgett. "I know how to ask the right questions, see the possibilities and implement solutions."

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