GET INVOLVEDImportant dates for the Hamilton County partisan primaries:• Deadline to register to vote — April 7• Absentee ballot request deadline — April 29• Early Voting — April 16 – May 1• County primary — May 6
With contests in the Democratic and Republican primaries, there is no question that the District 7 Hamilton County Commission race is the most active of all local races going into the May 7 election.
Three Republicans are seeking to replace Commissioner Larry Henry, who is running for Circuit Court clerk in a contest with Republicans Ron Parson and Lisa Bowman.
Former county Board of Education Chairman Phil Smartt, real estate broker Sabrena Turner and former police officer and small-business owner Perry Perkins are seeking the GOP nod for District 7, which includes the southeastern portion of the county, east of East Ridge and south of Ooltewah.
Don Brown, who owned a construction company and said he is semi-retired, and Ezra Maize, a pastor at Friendship Central Community Church, are vying for the Democratic nomination.