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New Mayor And WWE Wrestler Kane Reveals Why He Ran: ‘I See The Impact Big Government Has’

Virginia Kruta Associate Editor
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Former WWE star Kane — whose real name is Glenn Jacobs — recently became the mayor-elect of Knox County, Tennessee. He joined “Fox & Friends” on Saturday morning to discuss what drew a man whose wrestling persona was virtually silent to pursue a vocal career in politics.

Jacobs explained, “I see the impact big government has on people’s lives, how destructive that is and as I grew older I realized I could do something about that.”

Jacobs was considered by some to be a long shot in his mayoral race, but he never let that phase him. He told Fox’s Abby Huntsman, “People said afterwards that the politicos in the local community said that a lot of folks ‘didn’t think you had a chance.’ I thought all along I was going to win, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have done it to begin with. I was actually shocked that people didn’t think I could win.”

Jacobs also revealed a lifelong interest in politics, saying that even back in school he participated in mock debates.

I’ve always been interested in politics, in fact, I think when I was a sophomore in high school we had a mock debate between I think it was Walter Mondale and of course Ronald Reagan. I played Walter Mondale, it was probably the last time in my life I was a Democrat. But in any case, even from an early age I have always been interested in politics. I see the impact big government has on people’s lives, how destructive that is and as I grew older I realized that maybe I could try to do something about that and turn the tide because unfortunately in many ways that is the way I see our country going. America is the land of opportunity because of the free enterprise system and we forget that.

As for the reason he chose eastern Tennessee? It was all about the girl.

“My wife is from this area. I fell in love with her, I fell in love with east Tennessee. Never left, and never plan on leaving.”

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