{"biography":"Hubert Gene \"Gene-o\" Shipley is a Republican politician serving as the Hamilton County Commissioner for District 1 in Tennessee [6]. He represents the northernmost district of the county, which includes the city of Soddy-Daisy and communities such as Sale Creek and Mowbray Mountain [6]. Shipley first assumed office in 2022 after defeating incumbent Randy Fairbanks in the primary election [6], [7]. He is currently seeking a second term in the 2026 Republican primary for this position [6], [11].\n\nPrior to his county service, Shipley spent 28 years serving on the Soddy-Daisy Board of Commissioners, including terms as mayor and vice mayor [9]. During his tenure in Soddy-Daisy, he was instrumental in establishing and funding the Veterans Memorial Park and supporting the construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 2009 [7]. He also helped bring a sewer system to the city and supported the acquisition of Big Soddy Gulf [9]. Shipley established his business, Shipley Plumbing, after growing up in Soddy-Daisy and attending its local schools [9].\n\nAs Hamilton County Commissioner, Shipley serves as Chairperson of the Building and Economic Development Committee and as an Alternate on the Education Committee [3]. In these roles, he reviews county facility planning, capital needs, and real estate matters while collaborating with economic development partners to recruit and retain business [3]. He also consults on educational plans and budgets in coordination with the school superintendent [3]. Additionally, he serves on the Public Safety Committee, acting as a liaison to the Sheriff\u2019s Office and overseeing emergency operations and justice system coordination [3].\n\nShipley announced his candidacy for re-election in September 2025, citing his support for law enforcement, public works, and volunteer fire departments as key achievements of his first term [11]. He has also focused on infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to local schools and the planned revamping of Soddy-Daisy Middle School [11]. In August 2025, Shipley repaid $462 in expense funds to the county after it was revealed he had expensed trips from his home to the courthouse [8].\n\nShipley is a 48-year member of the Oak Street Baptist Church and a member of the Alhambra Shriners and Soddy Masonic Lodge #418 [7]. He married his high school classmate, Rita \"Dede\" Smith, in 1973; they had two children, Amy and Trey, and five grandchildren [7], [12]. Dede Shipley passed away in October 2025 after a long illness [12].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [Gene-o Shipley, District 1 commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District1.aspx)\n- [4] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [5] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [6] [Gene-o Shipley announces run for second term on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/sep/23/gene-o-shipley-announces-run-for-second-term-on/)\n- [7] [Longtime Soddy Daisy Commissioner Gene-o Shipley Announces Run For Hamilton County Commission - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2022/1/25/442149/Longtime-Soddy-Daisy-Commissioner.aspx)\n- [8] [Hamilton County commissioners pay back some expense funds | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2025/aug/27/hamilton-county-commissioners-pay-back-some/)\n- [9] [Gene-o Shipley Leaving Soddy Daisy Commission After 28 Years Of Service - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/11/9/495269/Gene-o-Shipley-Leaving-Soddy-Daisy.aspx)\n- [10] [Opinion: Bill in state legislature would prevent relatively recent \u2018double-dipping\u2019 of government officials | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/mar/13/cooper-bill-in-state-legislature-would-prevent/)\n- [11] [Gene-o Shipley Seeks Another Term As District 1 County Commissioner - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/9/22/508901/Gene-o-Shipley-Seeks-Another-Term-As.aspx)\n- [12] [County Commissioner Gene-O Shipley Mourns Loss Of Wife, Dede - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/10/13/509872/County-Commissioner-Gene-O-Shipley.aspx)","campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"primary","state":"TN","title":"County Commission District 1"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Gene-o","fullname":"Gene-o Shipley","lastname":"Shipley","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commission District 1","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commission District 1","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"}],"county":"hamilton","cycles":[{"general":null,"party":"R","primary":{"contest":"county_commission_district_1","contest_title":"County Commission District 1","county":"Hamilton","county_count":1,"electiondate":"2026-05-05","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commission District 1","party":"R","pgr":"primary","state":"TN"},"term":null,"year":2026},{"general":null,"party":null,"primary":null,"term":{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commission District 1","party":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"},"year":2022}],"office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commission District 1","state":"TN","terms":[{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office_county":"hamilton","office_key":"county_commission_district_1","office_title":"County Commission District 1","party":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"}]}],"summary":"Republican Gene-o Shipley seeks a second term as Hamilton County District 1 commissioner, having first been elected in 2022 after a long tenure in Soddy-Daisy local government.","terms":[{"county":"hamilton","electiondate":"2022-08-04","office":"county_commission_district_1","state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01","title":"County Commission District 1"}],"token":"tWljy4ucvc"}