Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey is expected to join newly elected Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration and was to make the announcement this morning, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Ramsey, 67, will likely become deputy governor in the new administration, sources said. Chairman Fred Skillern said the County Commission would choose Ramsey’s replacement. Other commissioners did not return calls seeking comment or would not comment.
Ramsey did not return calls seeking comment Thursday. In a previous interview with the Times Free Press, Ramsey said he was not interested in a job in Haslam’s administration, though rumors circulated that he was a likely candidate. Ramsey also campaigned for Haslam.
Haslam’s transition team declined comment Thursday night.
Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, while not commenting specifically on Ramsey’s departure, said the pending deal to bring an Amazon distribution facility to Hamilton County shouldn’t be affected by the announcement.