Jeff Lewis said Wednesday he is resigning from the Hamilton County Election Commission to lead a Third District Congressional campaign. He said he will be the campaign manager for Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble.
State Senator Bo Watson announced Wednesday that the Republican members of the Hamilton County state legislative delegation have recommended Ruth Braly of East Ridge to replace Mr. Lewis on the election panel.
Ms. Braly, 35, has been an active member in the Hamilton County Republican Party through her service in women’s organizations and various candidates’ campaigns. She is married to Ralph Braly and they have two children and two grandchildren. She is an active member of the Brainerd Church of Christ.
Ms. Braly is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Paralegal Studies program at Chattanooga State Community College and is currently employed as an administrative secretary at the Chattanooga Police Department.
Rep. Vince Dean (East Ridge) nominated Ms. Braly to the Republican delegation members. He said, “Ruth will be a great addition to the Election Commission. She will work hard to insure that all elections in Hamilton County are fair and open.”
Upon appointment, Ms. Braly will join fellow Republican commissioners Chairman Mike Walden and J.B. Bennett. Republicans hold a 3-2 majority position on the Election Commission. Democrats are Jerry Summers and James Anderson.
Mr. Lewis, 37, has been actively involved in numerous political campaigns in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area for many years and has extensive contacts throughout the Third District and around the state, officials said.
He spent five years serving in Senator Lamar Alexander’s Chattanooga office as a constituent service representative for a 16-county region.
“I’m pleased to have someone of Jeff’s caliber on board,” Sheriff Gobble said. “He has a proven history of public service and accomplishment and he believes in the same conservative principles I do. I have the greatest confidence he will help us represent the interests of the 3rd District with a strong voice in Washington.”
“Tim Gobble is without question the best qualified candidate,” Mr. Lewis said. “We need new and fresh leadership in the Congress. Tim’s unique experiences and his willingness to stand and fight for all people will serve the District well.”
Mr. Lewis coordinated Senator Alexander’s 2002 Senate campaign in Hamilton County, and served as public relations director for the campaign of Hamilton County Trustee Carl Levi. Earlier this year, he was appointed by the Hamilton County State Legislative Delegation to the Hamilton County Election Commission.
Mr. Lewis is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in finance, and currently serves as a financial advisor with a local company. He is a past president of the Hamilton County Pachyderm Club. Past awards include the Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman’s Award (2008), Jaycee of the Year (1997), and Most Outstanding Jaycee (1996). He and his wife, Susan, are members of the Dallas Bay Baptist Church. They have two sons.
Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, assistant election administrator, said Administrator Bud Knowles got a good report following cancer surgery.
She said the tumor is under control and did not spread.
She said Mr. Knowles is due to return to work after a two-month recovery.