Hamilton election commissioner to resign

NASHVILLE — Hamilton County Election Commissioner Jeff Lewis plans to resign his position on the panel, state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, said today.

“The reason why is he’s going to work on a campaign,” Sen. Watson said.

He said Mr. Lewis told him today he plans to join efforts of Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble, who is running for the 3rd Congressional District’s Republican nomination.

Mr. Lewis, a financial consultant, formerly worked for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. Efforts to contact him were unsuccessful. He was recommended this spring by Hamilton County Republican lawmakers and then appointed by the State Election Commission to serve on the five-member county panel, which oversees local, state and federal elections in Hamilton County.

Sen. Watson said he told state Election Coordinator Mark Goins that he and the four state House Republicans who represent Hamilton County hope to forward a recommendation on a replacement to the State Election Commission shortly.

Sen. Watson said the choice likely would come from other Republican candidates they had considered. Republicans have a 3-2 majority on the panel. That will not change. The State Election Commission, which makes appointments based on local lawmakers’ recommendations, next meets Aug. 18, at which time Mr. Lewis’ resignation officially would be accepted, Sen. Watson said.

Sheriff Gobble is running in a multi-candidate GOP primary that includes former state GOP Chairman Robin Smith, attorney Chuck Fleischmann, engineer Tommy Crangle, businessman Mark DeVol, engineer Greg Goodwin and businessman Art Rhodes.

Democrats are Paula Flowers, a former state Commerce and Insurance commissioner, and Brent Benedict, a systems analyst.