Supporters of County Commissioner Curtis Adams held a rally at the Country Place Restaurant on Shallowford Road on Saturday morning.

Some 300 people attended the event for Commissioner Adams, who has been on the panel since 1988.

He is a Republican seeking another term in District 8, which includes East Ridge, Concord, Brainerd Hills and Brainerd.

Officials said the event raised over $5,000 for the Adams Re-election Campaign.

Several local candidates were in the audience, including two candidates for Hamilton County Sheriff, Dave Alverson and Andy Derryberry; Hamilton County Commission, Red Burrows, Terry Conley and Bernie Miller; Hamilton County School Board, Kenny Smith; General Sessions Court Judge, Christie Sells; Criminal Court Judge, Barry Steelman; City Court Judge, Gerald Webb; Criminal Court Clerk, Johnny Horne. Former Chattanooga mayor, now U.S. senatorial candidate, Bob Corker was also recognized in the meeting.

In addition to candidates, the meeting included a large delegation of elected officials including County Mayor Claude Ramsey, Assessor of Property Bill Bennett, County Clerk Bill Knowles, Trustee Carl Levi, Register of Deeds Pam Hurst, District Attorney General Bill Cox, Sheriff John Cupp, County Commissioners Larry Henry, Bill Hullander and Fred Skillern, Circuit Court Clerk Paula Thompson, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, City Council Members Jack Benson, Manuel Rico, and Marti Rutherford, City Judges Russell Bean and Sherry Paty, Circuit Court Judges Jackie Shulten and Neil Thomas, Chancellor Frank Brown, General Sessions Judges David Bales and Clarence Shattuck, Hamilton County School Board Member Rhonda Thurman, East Ridge Vice Mayor Vince Dean, East Ridge City Council Member Tom Card, Red Bank Mayor Pat Brown, Soddy Daisy City Judge David Norton, State Sen. David Fowler, and State Reps. Gerald McCormick and Bo Watson. Jeff Lewis represented Sen. Lamar Alexander in the meeting.

Congressman Zach Wamp introduced Commissioner Adams, citing the commissioner's accomplishments and community service.

Commissioner Adams welcomed the overflow crowd and thanked them for their support. He noted that both Democrats and Republicans were in the room and had given him support.

He said the leadership of County Mayor Claude Ramsey was the best in the state and cited the cooperation seen between Mayor Littlefield and the County Commission. He pointed to the leadership of former County Commissioner Harold Coker, who was in the audience, and the struggles faced on the County Commission.

Being raised in the home of a Baptist minister, Commissioner Adams recognized several ministers in the audience pointing to the need for their support of government and the community. Commissioner Adams called for his family to be recognized because of their support for his community service. In conclusion, Adams called on the group to remember Rep. Jack Sharp who is battling cancer.

Rev. Mitch McClure, one of the sponsors, said, "Several participants commented on the great success of the meeting noting the overflow crowd on a rainy Saturday morning. Others commented on the diversity seen in the audience pointing to the broad support Commissioner Adams has received through the years."

Curtis Adams with supporter. Click to enlarge.
- Photo2 by J.R. Mullins