Sterling Jetton campaign photo
Marty HaynesTwo longtime workers in the Hamilton County property assessor’s office and a county commissioner will compete in the Republican primary for the open assessor’s position.
The winner of the March 1 Republican primary will face Democrat Mark Siedlecki, who is unopposed in his party primary.
The county’s assessor of property appraises the value of residential, business and commercial property, as well as businesses’ tangible personal property, for tax purposes. The position pays $115,588 a year, according to the county’s 2016 budget.
Sterling Jetton and Marty Haynes got into the GOP race early after incumbent Republican Bill Bennett, who has held the seat since 1994, said he would not seek re-election. The third hopeful is Randy Johnston, who turned in his qualifying papers Nov. 24.
Jetton, a U.S. Army veteran and the pastor of Shelter Church, worked for 27 years in the assessor’s office and was the senior real property appraiser. Bennett and former assessor and county mayor Claude Ramsey are on his campaign team.
In his announcement, Jetton called himself “both humbled and honored by those that have joined us in this journey to serve the citizens of Hamilton County.”
Johnston has worked in the assessor’s office for 31 years and serves now as residential property supervisor. He also has owned and operated an auto-related small business for more than 20 years.
In an interview, Johnston said, “The taxpayers have been good to my family and to me, and I feel like I should be paying that back to them.”
Haynes won a special election in 2013 to serve as District 3 Hamilton County commissioner. Haynes is a sales representative for Porter Warner Industry and is also a licensed real estate agent with the Huddleston Group.
In his announcement, Haynes said, “Hamilton County residents and business owners deserve the best government that honors their values and principles.”
Siedlecki, the Democrat in the race, turned in his qualifying papers Thursday. He could not be reached for comment.