NASHVILLE -- The McMinn County Commission on Wednesday named its outgoing chairman, David Crews, as a temporary replacement for state Sen. Mike Bell, R-Athens, who resigned his Senate District 9 seat to begin work as a senior adviser with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
Crews' appointment took effect Thursday, according to a County Commission resolution approved Wednesday and later provided to Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, the Republican Senate speaker.
Crews lost his commission re-election bid in the May 3 Republican primary, coming in third in a three-person race, The Daily Post-Athenian reported.
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He will serve as senator until the Nov. 8 state general election. Republican J. Adam Lowe of McMinn County and Democrat Patricia Waters of Athens face each other in the Senate district that is now designated as Senate District 1, as a result of a redistricting process that took place after the 2020 census. Counties in the district include McMinn, Meigs and Rhea, along with most of Bradley.
In announcing plans in mid-August to hire Bell, an avid outdoorsman, TWRA Executive Director Jason Maxedon said in a statement that Bell's "extensive legislative experience and his passion for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation will make him a valuable team member."
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"We look forward to working with him to advance critical policy to support the conservation and management of wildlife, fisheries and Tennessee's waterways," Maxedon added.
Bell was first elected to Tennessee House District 23 in 2006, representing McMinn and Monroe counties. He later won election to Tennessee Senate District 9 in 2010, representing Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe and Polk counties.
"Serving in the General Assembly for the last 16 years has been the highest honor of my life," Bell said after the TWRA announced his hiring.
Bell announced last November he would not seek re-election.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow him on Twitter @AndySher1.