Hamilton County commissioners have appointed Chattanooga City Councilman Ken Smith, R-Hixson, to fill the District 3 seat relinquished by Greg Martin, who has again stepped down to serve in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Smith, who was the only person to submit a letter expressing interest in the role, temporarily represented District 3 on the County Commission from May through August after Martin stepped down in March to fill on an interim basis the Tennessee House seat vacated by former State Rep. Robin Smith.
"He is a person who has shown that he has the ability to look into issues, make good decisions," said Commissioner Warren Mackey, D-Lake Vista, who made the motion Wednesday morning to appoint Smith to the role. "He is no stranger to government."
Commission Chairman Chip Baker, R-Signal Mountain, said Smith was out of town on Wednesday, but he will be sworn in at the beginning of the board's next meeting. Smith's term will last through August 2024.
Smith did not immediately respond Wednesday to a phone call and a text message asking about his plans for his seat on City Council. After confirming that he intended to put his name forward for the opening, Smith told the Times Free Press on Dec. 21 that it remained to be determined what the appointment would mean for his seat on the council.
He previously sat on both Chattanooga City Council and Hamilton County Commission between May and August.
Martin won election to the state House in November, but he was unable to remove his name from the August ballot for County Commission. He was re-elected to his commission seat in August and served in the post from Sept. 1 until officially resigning Dec. 31.
Martin will represent District 26 in the state House, which includes Harrison, Lakesite, Middle Valley, Soddy-Daisy and part of Chattanooga.
Former Rep. Robin Smith resigned in March amid controversy over her ties to an alleged bribery and kickback scheme involving former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, and his former chief of staff, Cade Cothren. Smith has pleaded guilty to one count of honest services fraud and awaits sentencing.
Contact David Floyd at dfloyd@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249.