I am writing in support of my son, Johnny Houston, who is running for Red Bank city judge. I would like for those of you who don’t know him personally to learn a bit about him (albeit through a proud mother’s eyes.)

Though most in Chattanooga call him Johnny, to me he has always been John. He was born in Memphis and lived there until we moved to Knoxville when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Farragut High School, where he met his wife, Laura. They both continued their education at UT Knoxville. He moved back to Memphis to attend law school at the University of Memphis, then began his law career in Chattanooga 17 years ago. Two of three children were born in Chattanooga and he and his family can’t imagine calling any other place home.

Every mom is proud of her children. I have four (John is my oldest) and I deeply love each of them. But John is more than a son to me. I had him at an early age and I guess you could say we grew up together in some ways. He is a person I enjoy talking to and whose advice I listen to. Although I live at the other end of the state, we speak by phone several times a week, discussing everything from family to politics to my interest in pro basketball (he likes to tease me about that.) I enjoy spending time with him and he can always, always make me laugh.

John was a child of divorce, as many are. He didn’t have the easiest life as a child, and he never had much handed to him, but his circumstances seemed to make him push harder to have a better life. John was the first of his many cousins to graduate from college. He is a successful attorney and businessman, but John is, above all else, a devoted father and family man. His daughter, Breanna, is his princess and always will be. His sons, Ryan and Josh, will always have him in their corner. He supports Laura in everything from helping with the many animals she enjoys raising on their small farm to her job teaching in an inner-city school. (If we had more teachers like Laura, we would have more young people who are better prepared for life.) John’s younger brother recently graduated from UT Knoxville. If not for the encouragement and support given him by John, he would not have graduated. As busy as he is, we know he is someone who can always be depended upon. He has become a sort of patriarch to many in his family. Each November we enjoy coming together for Thanksgiving at the Houston home, a family tradition. Everyone is welcome - in-laws, ex-in-laws, cousins, the more the merrier.

Since I have limited space to write, I would like to conclude with a few reasons why my son, Johnny Houston, would make the best city judge for the town of Red Bank. John is a natural decision maker, a problem solver. He will treat fairly those who come before him but always within the law. Vote for Johnny Houston. I promise you will be glad you did.

Nancy Estes
Nan8224@aol.com