State Rep. Chris Clem (R-Lookout Mountain) announced Monday that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term in the Tennessee General Assembly in District 27.

He said, “I have loved serving these past six years. Many legislators stay in Nashville for as long as they possibly can. They serve 20 years then retire when they are old and frustrated. Some retire because they find themselves embroiled in a scandal. Some retire when they want to run for something bigger. A few actually lose re-election. Very few voluntarily leave to raise a family and work in a non-lobbying business.

“When I first ran for office six years ago, I was newly married. My wife and I had not yet started our family. I worked for a local employer. Six years later I own my own business. My wife and I have a four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son. We plan to have more children. I have a desire to devote more time to my family and work. I want to read the Chronicles of Narnia to my children at night. I want to teach them how to swim this spring. I want to expand my law practice.

“I have always viewed my service as a sacred trust. No one has ever or will ever hear my name associated with any scandal. I have never viewed serving in the Tennessee House as a stepping stone to any other political office. I have served my six years. I want to return to my family and my business.”

During Rep. Clem’s six years he sponsored and co-sponsored many pieces of legislation which became law, including the following:

HB 0875: revision to adoption law HB 1185: revisions to landlord/tenant law

HB 1293: revision to arrest warrants HB 1846: revisions to homestead exemptions

HB 1344: revision to auto lemon law HB 2107: revisions to local bond issuances

HB 1624: streamline appl. for handgun permits HB 0511: limit unsolicited faxes

HB 1904: limits on Adult-Oriented Businesses HB 0452: reciprocal handgun permits with other states

HB 1292: clarification on wills and estates HB 0456: revises workers compensation

HB 0531: revision to home health services HB 0841: telephone records subpoenas

HB 0933: revision to financial institutions HB 0843: publication of county budgets

HB 1018: revision to education records HB 0847: under age alcohol sting operations

HB 0788: Choose Life License Plates HB 0961: inspection of candidate financial records

HB 1066: revision to Banking Institutions HB 1257: campaign finance reform

Rep. Clem said he "has been known for what I vote against as much as for what I support. I am known for voting against any bill that required unnecessary government regulations."

He said more than any other legislator he has found himself "the lone dissenting vote on bills which implemented new regulations."

He was one of the few legislators to vote against the auto emissions testing (HB3498). He voted against the income tax.

Rep. Clem said he "can best be described as conservative on social issues and very conservative or libertarian on fiscal issues."

He said, “The person who replaces me will be the luckiest legislator in Nashville. I have a wonderful district. And, it has been a joy to serve. However, I have completed my tour of duty. I meant it when I said I would not be a career politician. It is time for me to move on and allow someone else the privilege of serving.”

Stuart James, chairman of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, said, "We need to work to insure that we elect effective leadership to the state House, and that we remind our leaders of the importance of preserving the public trust, working to find solutions for issues surrounding education, jobs, and the economic security of our community our state and our nation. We need to elect leaders who will work hard to give us meaningful return on the investment we make every day in our government.

"Electing responsible dedicated leaders to state government is key to insuring we create opportunities in our community. We need leaders representing our values, preserving our rights under the Constitution. We need to elect leaders who place the public trust over personal gain. This vacancy creates an opportunity for change, change to help us elect people who believe in opportunity, values and common sense."