Republican Lowell Russell officially kicked off his candidacy Saturday with an event at Sequoyah High School that featured free food and an appearance by the Knoxville Cowboy, Marshall Andy Smalls.

Russell is running for the 21st District of the Tennessee House of Representatives, a seat that was held by Jimmy Matlock, who is now running for U.S. Congress.

Russell, who had his career as a Tennessee Highway patrolman cut short by a horrific wreck in 2012, is a newcomer to running for office. He is facing Tony Aikens and Doyle Arp in the Republican Primary. Laura Miller is the only Democrat running for the seat so far.