Contributed photo by Matt Hullander / Matt HullanderMatt Hullander has picked up a notable endorsement in his quest to be Hamilton County's next mayor.
Hamilton County Sheriff Jim Hammond in a news release Friday said Hullander is the best choice in the mayor's race. Hullander will face Weston Wamp and Sabrena Smedley in the Republican primary May 3. The general election is Aug. 4.
Hammond said he met with all three candidates for the office, took a "long look" at its responsibilities and concluded Hullander had the best attributes for the position.
"Matt connects with individuals because he understands hard working people," Hammond said. "Matt has worked since he was 12 years old. The values he was brought up with have prepared him for the challenges ahead. The Hullander name stands for hard work, integrity and commitment to others. It's how Matt was raised, and I believe he'll put those attributes to work for all of us."
Hammond also said it was time to put someone with a business background in the mayor's office.
Hullander bought his family's business, Hullco, in 2007, for $4 million and sold it for more than $20 million in April 2021, according to the news release. He owns V2 Strategies, a commercial real estate firm. He is a partner in Scenic Land Co., which owns several projects throughout the area. He is also a founding partner of Rhinogram, president of B&M Development and a partner in Thompson 105, a new restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"Matt took a successful business started by his dad and grew it five-fold before selling it," Hammond said. "He and [wife] Jenny didn't step back. Instead, they've leaned into other businesses and have made a difference through their family foundation. That's the type of mayor we need: someone who knows the importance of giving back to the community."
Hammond, who is not running for re-election, said it's important those being elected to offices in Hamilton County be guided by the lessons taught by their predecessors.
"Hamilton County is in a position of strength today because of the hard work, attention to financial stewardship and commitment to service that those of us leaving office have provided," he said. "It's up to those coming into office to take those lessons and grow them to continue to make the place we all love the best it can be for the future."
The GOP mayoral candidates will participate in a debate hosted by the Chattanooga-based conservative organization Hamilton Flourishing at 6:30 p.m. Monday at 1222 East Main St., Suite 102, the location of SociallyU, which is providing a studio for the event. Organization President Doug Daugherty will host. The debate will be televised on MeTV - EPB 166 and Comcast 225.
- Compiled by Lew Gilliland