East Ridge Mayor Brent LambertEast Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert says he is considering a run for the state House District 30 seat.
Lambert picked up papers at the Hamilton County Election Commission on Monday.
"I am really interested in seeing a good candidate step forward so we have the best representation possible -- and I may be able to do that," Lambert said. "But I have a lot of things to weigh at this point."
If he runs, Lambert will attempt to fill the seat now occupied by another former East Ridge mayor, state Rep. Vince Dean, who picked up papers last week to run for the Senate District 10 seat.
That seat currently is held by Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga.
"I've looked at this office before, but I have a lot of respect for Vince and the job he's doing there. So when he made his intentions known to run for Senate, I decided to look into this."
Lambert would face off against fellow Republican David Grohn, who picked up papers for the seat last week, according to Hamilton County Election Commission Administrator of Elections Charlotte Mullis-Morgan.
Lambert would not be required to give up his mayoral position to run for the House seat -- Dean occupied both temporarily after he was elected to the House seat. But he said he would have to "weigh out" whether he would forfeit the position if elected to the House.
Lambert does not face re-election for mayor this year.
Contact writer Kate Harrison at kharrison@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6673.