Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Beck, D-North Brainerd, is running for a fifth term in the District 5 seat after 16 years in office.
The district encompasses an eastern stretch of Chattanooga, including most of Brainerd and other neighborhoods like Woodmore, Washington Hills and Eastdale. All residents within the district live either in Chattanooga or the small city of Ridgeside. Beck will face challenger Katherlyn Geter, who previously defeated him and was elected to the seat in 2018, in the May primary.
Beck, 79, has lived in the district for over 50 years, raising several children in Chattanooga. He lives in North Brainerd with his wife. He attended Chattanooga State Community College and Covenant College. He has been a court officer for City Court Judge Sherry Paty for over two decades.
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In September, Beck filed a finance form showing he had about $141 on hand in campaign funds, the same amount he had left after the end of the 2022 election cycle, with no additional donations received at the time. All candidates were required to file records for donations and expenses from January to March by the end of Friday.
Early voting for the county primaries starts Wednesday, and election day is May 5.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press sent a questionnaire to both candidates. The answers below are in their own words.
(READ MORE: Challenger Katherlyn Geter looking to increase school funding)
Q: Why are you running for County Commission, and what are your qualifications?
A: I am running for County Commission because District 5 deserves leadership that listens, unites and delivers real results. My work with seniors, youth and community groups has shown me how deeply people want safety, opportunity and dignity. I bring experience in program development, community outreach and strategic planning, along with a strong commitment to transparency and ethical leadership. I have spent years building bridges between civic, business and faith communities to solve problems and strengthen neighborhoods. I understand how county decisions affect families, schools and local development, and I am ready to serve with integrity, accountability and a focus on improving quality of life for every resident.
Q: If elected, what would be your three biggest priorities?
A: Strengthening public safety and community support. My first priority is to support families affected by violence and expand prevention strategies that save lives. That includes investing in youth programs, mental health partnerships and community‑based initiatives that reduce crime before it happens. Safety is the foundation for every strong neighborhood.
Investing in education and modern school facilities. I will champion new school construction, safer learning environments and stronger support for teachers and students. Our children deserve modern classrooms, updated technology and the resources to succeed. Education is the county’s largest responsibility, and it must remain a top priority.
Expanding economic opportunity and senior support. I will work to create good paying jobs, support small businesses and ensure seniors have the services, dignity and stability they deserve.
Q: What do you think is the largest challenge facing your district, and what would you do about it if elected?
A: The greatest challenge facing District 5 is the combination of public safety concerns and the lack of consistent investment in our neighborhoods. Too many families are living with the daily impact of violence, limited economic opportunity and aging infrastructure. These issues are connected — when communities don’t have strong schools, safe streets, youth programs and reliable services, the cycle continues.
District 5 needs leadership that will bring resources, accountability and long‑term planning. My focus is on strengthening safety, expanding opportunities for young people, supporting seniors and ensuring our district receives its fair share of county investment. When we address these challenges together, we create a safer, stronger and more hopeful future for every resident.
(READ MORE: Amendments to Plan Hamilton changes get commission OK)
Q: Do you think the county needs to attract more industry to the area? Why or why not, and how should that be done?
A: Hamilton County needs a stronger foundation of infrastructure, workforce readiness and predictable planning to attract more industry. Companies look for communities that are safe, well connected and prepared to support long‑term growth. That means improving roads, expanding broadband, strengthening public safety and ensuring our schools produce a skilled, job‑ready workforce.
We also need to streamline development processes, provide clear zoning expectations and make sure industrial sites have the utilities and transportation access businesses require. I support stronger partnerships with our schools, colleges and trade programs so local residents can fill the jobs we recruit. Finally, the county must market itself more aggressively and ensure that every district — not just a few — benefits from new investment.
When we combine infrastructure, workforce development and smart planning, Hamilton County becomes a place where industry wants to grow and families can thrive.
Q: Where would you increase county spending? Where would you cut it?
A: Public safety and violence prevention: I would increase investment in community‑based safety strategies, youth programs, mental‑health partnerships and support for families affected by violence. Prevention is always cheaper — and more effective — than reaction.
Education and school facilities: Hamilton County’s largest responsibility is education. I support increased funding for new school construction, safer buildings, modern technology and stronger support for teachers and students.
Infrastructure in underserved districts: Roads, sidewalks, drainage, broadband and emergency services must keep up with growth. Districts that have been historically underfunded deserve fair and consistent investment.
Administrative overhead and inefficiencies: I would push for streamlining internal operations, reducing duplication and modernizing outdated processes that waste taxpayer dollars.
Unnecessary or poorly negotiated contracts: The county can save millions by strengthening audits.
Q: What do you think is Hamilton County’s most pressing infrastructure need? How would you respond to that need?
A: Hamilton County’s most pressing infrastructure needs are roads, schools and emergency‑service capacity. Rapid growth has outpaced the county’s ability to maintain safe roads, manage traffic and keep up with development in fast‑growing areas. Many neighborhoods still lack adequate sidewalks, drainage and broadband access, which limits safety and economic opportunity.
At the same time, our school facilities are aging and overcrowded. New school construction and major renovations are essential if we want to support student success and attract new families and employers. Finally, emergency services — fire, EMS, and law enforcement — need better coverage and faster response times as the county expands.
Addressing these needs requires long‑term planning, fair investment across all districts and a commitment to ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with growth.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga back to square one searching for major industrial sites)
Q: Do you think your district is growing too fast or too slow? Why?
A: District 5 is growing slower than many other parts of Hamilton County. While areas like Ooltewah, East Brainerd and parts of Soddy‑Daisy are experiencing rapid residential and commercial expansion, District 5 has not seen the same level of investment or development. Much of the growth here has been uneven, with some neighborhoods improving while others continue to face long‑standing challenges.
This slower pace of growth is directly tied to issues like aging infrastructure, limited economic opportunity and the need for stronger public safety and school investment. With the right leadership and fair county support, District 5 can attract new development, create jobs and ensure that growth benefits the people who already live here.
Q: Anything else you’d like voters to know?
A: Voters should know that I am running to serve every neighborhood in District 5 with honesty, fairness and accountability. I am not a career politician — I am a community‑driven leader who listens, learns and works. My commitment is to bring people together across business, civic and faith communities so we can solve problems as one Hamilton County family. I believe our seniors deserve dignity, our youth deserve opportunity and our families deserve safety and stability. I will show up, be accessible and fight for the resources our district has been denied for far too long. My goal is simple: to make District 5 stronger, safer and more hopeful for everyone who calls it home.
Contact city and county reporter Siena Duncan at sduncan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
