Steve Highlander

Steve Highlander is a Republican politician from Harrison, Tennessee, currently serving as the Hamilton County Commissioner for District 9 [5]. He assumed office in 2021 after being appointed to fill the vacancy left by Chester Bankston, who retired from the seat [8]. Highlander was subsequently elected to the position in 2022 and is running for re-election in the May 5, 2026 Republican primary against challenger Donna Christian-Lowe [5]. The District 9 encompasses Harrison, parts of Snow Hill and Birchwood, and unincorporated territory with a southern tip in Chattanooga city limits [5].

Before his service on the County Commission, Highlander served seven years on the Hamilton County Board of Education, representing District 9 [8]. He first won the school board seat in 2014, defeating four opponents in the general election [1]. He was re-elected in 2018, winning the general election with 72.6% of the vote against D'Andre Anderson [1]. During his time on the school board, he received endorsements from the Hamilton County Education Association and local newspapers [1].

Highlander is a retired educator who has spent more than four decades in the field [1]. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history and a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree from Covington Seminary [5]. He describes himself as a retired school teacher who substitutes as a pastor when needed [5]. Highlander has lived in Harrison for almost his entire life, with brief stints in Chattanooga and Hixson during his teenage years [5].

As a County Commissioner, Highlander serves on the Building and Economic Development Committee and the Education Committee [2]. He is also the vice chair of the Metropolitan Planning Organization [5]. His stated priorities for the 2026 race include infrastructure improvements, particularly road safety in areas like Hunter Road, supporting schools with competitive teacher wages, and assisting senior citizens with property tax concerns [5]. As of March 2026, his campaign had approximately $19,000 on hand, funded by personal contributions and donations from individuals and elected officials including U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann and Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp [5].

Highlander is the first incumbent in District 9 to face a contested primary race since at least 2006 [7]. His campaign has been active on social media, maintaining a Facebook page for his candidacy [12].

Sources

• [1] Steve Highlander - Ballotpedia
• [2] Dr. Steve Highlander, District 9 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government
• [3] sample ballot
• [4] Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State
• [5] Hamilton County Commission: Incumbent Steve Highlander wants sewer and road improvements | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [6] ‘Queen Connector’ challenging Hamilton County Commissioner Steve Highlander in Republican primary | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [7] Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Steve Highlander for Hamilton County Commission District 9 | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [8] Steve Highlander appointed to Hamilton County Commission, creating vacancy on school board | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [9] Steve Highlander Is Compromise Candidate For County Commission District 9 Seat - Chattanoogan.com
• [10] Hamilton County Commission: Challenger Donna Christian-Lowe wants to build small business hub in district | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [11] Election board denies challenge to Hamilton County Commission candidate’s name | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [12] Steve Highlander, Hamilton County District 9 County Commissioner | Facebook