Hamilton County Commissioner Randy Fairbanks will run for re-election next year in the transformed District 1, he has announced.
Fairbanks, R-Soddy-Daisy, told the Times Free Press on Tuesday he would seek a third term. He was first elected in 2014 and has served as the commission's chair and vice chair twice.
"My passion is helping the people in the community," Fairbanks said. "My passion is also the older generation. That's why I've always tried to do my research on tax increases and keep them low."
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In addition to working to keep tax increases at bay, Fairbanks said protecting citizens' property rights is also a priority.
A significant factor in running for re-election is that the county will have a new mayor in 2022, he said. In addition, there will be new commissioners due to redistricting.
"We need someone with experience in there," he said.
What will be different for Fairbanks in his bid for a third term will be the new shape of his district.
County commissioners last month approved an 11-district map to replace the current nine-district map, which cut Mowbray Mountain, Flat Top Mountain and North Woods out of his district and moved them into District 2.
The current lines of District 1 include portions of areas such as Sale Creek, Soddy-Daisy and the northern tip of Chattanooga.
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While Fairbanks said he "hated to lose those," he believes he still has strong enough support in the district to win a third term in office.
In his eight years in office, he added that some of his biggest accomplishments have been the construction of a new fire station on Mowbray Mountain and a new track at Soddy-Daisy High School.
He also said he was proud of repairs made to the Bakewell Community Center and the repaving of the walking track at Veterans Park in Soddy-Daisy.
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Fairbanks now serves on the building and economic development committee, the finance and insurance committee, the security and corrections committee and the delinquent tax property special committee.
As of Wednesday, Fairbanks was the only candidate who had filed with the Hamilton County Election Commission for the District 1 seat.
Contact Logan Hullinger by phone at 814-319-5158 or via email at lhullinger@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @LoganHullinger.