Patrick Hickey"I'm running for the House seat because I believe in doing the right thing not just for myself, but doing the right thing for everybody," Hickey said.
His vision calls for making a positive difference in surrounding communities and to reach out to representatives of those communities, Hickey said, emphasizing that he will be a voice for the people.
"When I say a voice for the people, 'for' is spelled in capital letters," Hickey said. "Whether it is something small like a pothole or [something larger like] gang-related activity, I want to be that voice for the people."
Also read
List of candidates who qualified to run for office in Southeast Tennessee
"I know that makes it a thousand times harder to do, but I'm running on my beliefs," Hickey said.
Hickey plans to formally announce his run at "Pizza with Patrick," a fundraiser luncheon, at noon Saturday at the Hamilton Place Mellow Mushroom.
During the event, Hickey will discuss a number of topics, including improved flood control and making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Helping the homeless is another topic of concern for Hickey, who said he seeks ways to better provide them with food, education, job assistance and "a place to call home other than under a bridge."
Hickey, who said he has spent 20 of his 26 years in Chattanooga, cited nine years of working at Huddle House and a home-school education as part of his background.
His interest in running for office was "really ignited" when he heard Republican presidential nominee Sen. Ted Cruz speak at a recent local event, Hickey said.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.