Long time County Commissioner Greg Beck is seeking the chairmanship of the Hamilton County Commission, he said.
Several other commissioners are working behind the scenes to try to get the top commission post.
The job opened up after the unexpected defeat of Commission Chairman Fred Skillern in the August primary election.
Larry Henry, who has held the chairmanship several times, is going off the commission to become Circuit Court clerk.
The Skillern and Henry replacements were being sworn in this morning. Randy Fairbanks will represent District 1 and Sabrena Turner District 7.
The commission is set to choose a new chairman and vice chairman on Wednesday.
Commissioner Beck said “If I was blessed to be the next chairman, we would continue the tradition of conservative stewardship of the taxpayers' money and work to keep the transparency that has already been established as the primary focus of this administration and commission.”
On the fact that he is one of two Democrats on the nine-member commission, he said, “I think my experience of 10 years on the commission and nine years with the sheriff’s office and many years of working with local civic and non-profit groups gives me a vast knowledge of the pulse of government which, in an atmosphere of prudence, should over-ride partisanship in this case.”
He added, “I have flown around the country and not once have I stopped before boarding and asked the flight attendant if the pilot was Democrat or Republican, male or female, black, white or Hispanic. If they have the credentials, the experience and can be trusted, then I’m on board.”
Commissioner Beck said he would continue working with the Chamber of Commerce to secure more jobs for the county to develop a stronger economic climate for the area.
He said, "I was one of the original nine commissioners to vote for the historical resolutions to bring VW and its associated suppliers to Hamilton County.
“ I have a history of friendship with the Hamilton County Education Department and will develop a stronger relationship between the our two entities for the sake of our children who hold our future in their hands.”