George Jackson announced his bid for City Council District 2 on Friday.
He said, "Today, I am happy to announce my candidacy for the second district City Council seat. Like many Chattanoogans I have watched our city progress in areas of downtown development and job creation; however, our city's safety has declined with escalating crime along with our patched streets and dilapidated sewer system.
"Mayor Littlefield and some members of the current council have recently discovered our city's gang "issue." It is not an issue, it is a problem. A problem we the people have known of for years and it is time to take action. With my career experience in Criminal Justice, I possess the skills to be a leader on the council to make our neighborhoods a safer place to raise our families and will work diligently with our police department in fighting crime.
"I will work with business and community leaders of North Chattanooga, Riverview, Lupton City, Stuart Heights and Hixson to ensure safer communities, sewer replacement and repair, better road repair, help grow local businesses and create jobs, and continue our city’s trend of reaching out to national and international companies to relocate to our city.
"As chairman of the Hamilton County Young Republicans and member of the Hamilton County Republican Party's County Executive Committee, I have served alongside many of our city's leaders and several have encouraged me in this endeavor for which I am grateful.
"My wife Elysia and I will raise our soon to be born daughter, Emma Kate, in District Two. Like you, we enjoy the advancements our city has made, and we also believe the best is yet to come, if we have leaders that tackle the problems ours city is currently facing. I will be such a leader. I ask for your thoughts, opinions, support and vote over the course of the next seven months."
George and Elysia Jackson