Dan Howell, the former executive assistant to the county mayor of Bradley County, was officially sworn-in Monday as the new state representative for House District 22. Last month, the Bradley County Commission voted for him to take office on Sept. 1, filling the remainder of Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson's term. Mr. Howell won the Republican primary on Aug. 7 and faces no challenge in the November general election for a full term.

 "I am thankful to the voters for casting their ballots for me on August 7, and I am honored the Commission has seen fit to place their confidence in me to take office early in order to assure a smooth transition. Sheriff Watson was a great legislator and I believe he will also be a great sheriff. He set a high standard and I look forward to continuing his tradition of good representation for the people of District 22," Rep. Howell said.

For the past five years, Rep. Howell has served Bradley County as the executive assistant to the county mayor post. He has also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board, the Cleveland/Bradley Greenway Board, and the county Stormwater Advisory Board, as well as directed the county’s Three Star Program. He is a former TV newscaster.

“I am sincerely looking forward to working with Dan on the issues that matter most to the people of Bradley, Polk, and Meigs counties and Tennessee,” said Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville). “With this smooth transition, he can get right to work crafting policies for consideration that will bring jobs and prosperity to this state.”

“Tennesseans have some very clear priorities, especially when it comes to private sector job growth, lower taxes, and better education,” said House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick (R-Chattanooga). “I am honored to call Dan Howell a colleague and look forward to working with him to see these priorities made into reality.”

“Tennesseans chose to send Representative Howell to Nashville to support policies that will strengthen our economy, ensure our budget remains balanced, and fight government waste,” said House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada (R–Thompson Station). “In his new role as state representative, I am confident he will accomplish exactly that.”

"Dan Howell is a fellow conservative who will do a great job representing the people of Bradley, Polk, and Meigs counties. He will be an asset in Nashville and I look forward to working with Representative Howell as Bradley County Sheriff," said Sheriff Eric Watson.

District 22 covers parts of Bradley County, and all of Polk and Meigs Counties. Rep. Dan Howell can be contacted at 615 741-7799, or rep.dan.howell@capitol.tn.gov.