Three people have thrown their hats into the ring for the job of District 3 Hamilton County commissioner: interim Commissioner Mitch McClure and Marty Haynes on the Republican side and Mitzi Yates on the Democratic side. The district includes Middle Valley, Hixson and a number of areas along the northern bank of the Tennessee River.
McClure, pastor of Middle Valley Church of God, was appointed to his commission post by other commissioners in January 2011 after Commissioner Jim Coppinger was named county mayor.
In his time in office, McClure has dealt with routine duties, such as arguments between neighbors, and more weighty concerns, such as gang violence and his opposition to annexation. While McClure is not the highest-profile commissioner, he appears to have handled the job responsibly.
He faces Haynes in the March 6 primary, and the winner will face Yates on Aug. 2.
Haynes is a sales representative for Porter Warner Industries, and Yates works for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.