Rep. Bo Watson told cheering supporters at the Pachyderm Club on Monday that he plans to run for the 11th District Senate seat being vacated by David Fowler.

He said it was "a tough decision" and he was still deliberating as late as 10 a.m., but he said, "Hamilton County needs continued strong Republican leadership in the state Senate."

The decision throws the field wide open for Rep. Watson's 31st District House seat. It includes Rhea County and parts of the northern section of Hamilton County.

Charles R. Riggs, former director of the Rhea County 911 program, has picked up qualifying papers as a Republican candidate in District 31. He lives in Dayton. No one has yet picked up at Hamilton County. The qualifying deadline is just over two weeks away.

Wayne Cropp, former county and Third District GOP chairman, earlier picked up qualifying papers for the open Senate seat.

Jim Hall, who formerly headed the National Transportation Safety Board, said either he or his wife, Annie Hall, plan to be on the Democratic ticket.

He said he plans to spend $100,000 of his own funds on the race.

The Halls are from Signal Mountain.

Rep. Watson was joined by his wife, Jill, and son, Grey, as he made the announcement at the start of the Pachyderm Club meeting at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.

He said his decision "was not about an individual, but about the people." He said those who run with their own future in mind "will fail the people who elect them."

Rep. Watson said the support he has received to make the race "has been overwhelming, incredible and humbling."

The Hixson resident, who is a physical therapist at Parkridge Medical Center, said the Fowler district "is where I live, where I grew up and where I went to school. It will be an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the 11th District at the Capitol."

He said of the coming campaign, "No one will work harder than I will."

He told club members he has "a servant's heart."

Rep. Watson noted serious issues facing Tennessee that he plans to address in his campaign and in the legislature: healthcare, immigration, economic and job development, and education.

He said, "Hamilton County needs a Republican in the Senate who has experience in the legislative process and can work effectively and efficiently to achieve results for our county. My experience in the state House will be put to good use in working on the crucial issues our state must resolve to move forward."

The Pachyderm Club heard from a number of Republican candidates, including County Commissioner Fred Skillern, who said, "A campaign can be known by the people who are working against you. Stuart James and Harry Austin are working hard against me."

The club heard from Mr. Skillern's GOP opponent, Laura Oakley, who said she is "motivated to improve the community."

Commissioner Curtis Adams, who has opposition from Democrat John Bailes in the general election, said his party switch just over a year ago is "the greatest move I ever made in my life."

Red Burrows, who is running against Commission Chairman Larry Henry in the GOP primary for District 7 said, "I won't raise taxes and I won't flipflop."