{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Greg Beck","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"Greg Beck is a Democratic candidate for Hamilton County Commission District 5 in Tennessee, seeking a fifth term in the May 5, 2026, primary election [3]. The district covers an eastern stretch of Chattanooga, including most of Brainerd, as well as neighborhoods such as Woodmore, Washington Hills, and Eastdale [3]. Beck is currently the incumbent commissioner for this seat [3]. He first gained the position in February 2005 via a commission appointment after Commissioner JoAnne Favors moved to the state legislature [5]. Prior to his election, he had served on the Hamilton County Commission since at least 1994, when he began working at the Sheriff's Department and was named officer of the year in 2002 [5].\n\nBeck has held several leadership roles within the commission. He previously served as chairman of the security and corrections committee for two years and vice chairman of the Hamilton County Commission for two years [5]. In December 2016, he was elected vice chair of the full commission in a 5-3 vote, replacing Randy Fairbanks [7]. As of 2026, he serves as Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, Alternate on the Building and Economic Development Committee, and member of the Health and Human Services Committee [1].\n\nBefore his political career, Beck worked for 18 years at Combustion Engineering [5]. In 1981, he joined Inner City Ministries, where he founded a youth organization called the Action Group and a summer work adventure program (S.W.A.P.) that received a special commendation from President Ronald Reagan [5]. He later served as executive director of the Roanoke Community Center and the Bethlehem Community Center, helping to establish the United Community Action Alliance [5]. He also worked at the Hamilton County Sheriff's Department beginning in 1994 [5].\n\nBeck\u2019s personal background includes humble origins; he was raised by his grandmother and great-grandmother after his mother died of an aneurysm at age 33 [6]. He attended Zion College, Chattanooga State Community College, and Grace Baptist Bible School [6]. Professionally, he has served as a court officer for City Court Judge Sherry Paty for over two decades [3]. He is also the founder and director of the Heritage Memorial Christian Center and hosts a Saturday morning radio program called the \u201cDiscovery Hour\u201d on WNOO-1260 [5].\n\nIn the 2026 race, Beck faces challenger Katherlyn Geter, a former commissioner who defeated him in the 2018 Democratic primary [3]. Geter opted not to run for re-election in 2022 due to her partner\u2019s health issues but returned to challenge Beck again in 2026 [9]. Beck\u2019s campaign priorities include violence prevention, investment in school facilities, and support for seniors and small businesses [3]. He has stated that his focus is on strengthening safety, expanding opportunities for young people, and ensuring accountability [3]. As of September 2025, Beck had approximately $141 on hand in campaign funds [3].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Greg Beck, District 5 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District5.aspx)\n- [3] [Hamilton County Commission: Incumbent Greg Beck wants more investment in violence prevention | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/12/hamilton-county-commission-incumbent-greg-beck/)\n- [4] [Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Greg Beck for Hamilton County Commission District 5 | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/11/opinion-chattanooga-free-press-endorses-greg-beck/)\n- [5] [Greg Beck Seeks New Term As District 5 County Commissioner - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2025/12/4/512065/Greg-Beck-Seeks-New-Term-As-District.aspx)\n- [6] [Greg Beck Rose From Humble Origins To County Commission - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2019/4/7/387805/Greg-Beck-Rose-From-Humble-Origins-To.aspx)\n- [7] [Greg Beck elected vice chair of Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2016/dec/14/greg-beck-elected-vice-chair-hamilton-county-commi/)\n- [8] [Greg Beck - District 5 Hamilton County Commission, Democrat | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/jul/25/greg-beck-district-5-hamilton-county-commission-de/)\n- [9] [Hamilton County Commission: Challenger Katherlyn Geter looking to increase school funding | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/12/hamilton-county-commission-challenger-katherlyn/)\n- [10] [For District 5, Greg Beck | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/opinion/times/story/2010/apr/26/4-26-t2-for-district-5-greg-beck/14397/)\n- [11] [Tim Boyd keeps seat, Katherlyn Geter topples Greg Beck in Hamilton County Commission race | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/may/01/hamilton-county-commission-election-updates/469748/)\n- [12] [Former Hamilton County commissioner to challenge Beck for his seat | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/18/former-hamilton-county-commissioner-to-challenge/)","firstname":"Greg","lastname":"Beck","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"Ltv4wYrfrc"},"token":"greg_beck"},{"candidatename":"Katherlyn Geter","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"D","person":{"biography":"Katherlyn Geter is a Democratic candidate for Hamilton County Commission District 5 in Tennessee, challenging incumbent Greg Beck in the May 5, 2026 primary [1]. She previously served as a commissioner for the district from 2018 to 2022 after defeating Beck by 15 votes in the 2018 Democratic primary [4], [10]. Geter opted not to seek re-election in 2022 due to her partner's health issues [4].\n\nBorn and raised in Chattanooga, Geter has lived in District 5 since middle school and currently resides in the Talley Center neighborhood north of Woodmore [4]. She holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in human services management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) [4], [6]. Her professional background includes over 25 years of experience in health insurance counseling and outreach education [6]. As of 2026, she works as the Director of Placemaking for Healthy Communities at The Enterprise Center, a nonprofit focused on economic mobility and community health [6], [9].\n\nDuring her tenure on the County Commission, Geter focused on building presence in the district during the pandemic [4]. Outside of elected office, she was recognized as a White House \"Champion of Change\" for her work with the Affordable Care Act and received the Barbara Reynolds Don\u2019t Accept 'No' Leadership Award for grassroots healthcare organizing in Southeast Tennessee [6]. She has also been named \"Citizen of the Year\" by AKA Pi Omega Sorority and recognized by the Orchard Knob Neighborhood Association [6].\n\nIn her 2026 campaign, Geter identifies education, healthcare access, and holistic neighborhood development as her top priorities [4]. She argues that District 5, a majority-minority area, faces unique challenges including underfunded schools and disparate health outcomes compared to other parts of Hamilton County [4]. As of late March 2026, her campaign had approximately $1,000 on hand and had received $9,000 in donations, with her largest contribution being $1,000 from Krissa Barclay of the Hamilton County Schools Foundation [4].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [2] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [3] [The Voter's Self Defense System - Vote Smart](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/187539/katherlyn-geter)\n- [4] [Hamilton County Commission: Challenger Katherlyn Geter looking to increase school funding | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/12/hamilton-county-commission-challenger-katherlyn/)\n- [5] [Former Hamilton County commissioner to challenge Beck for his seat | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/feb/18/former-hamilton-county-commissioner-to-challenge/)\n- [6] [Katherlyn Geter Launches Campaign For Hamilton County Commissioner District 5 - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2026/2/16/514828/Katherlyn-Geter-Launches-Campaign-For.aspx)\n- [7] [Katherlyn Geter seeks Democratic nomination for District 5 seat on Hamilton County Commission | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2018/jan/16/geter-seeking-county-district-5-seat/)\n- [9] [The Enterprise Center Leaders Share Updates at the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga - The Enterprise Center](https://www.theenterprisectr.org/the-enterprise-center-leaders-share-updates-at-the-kiwanis-club-of-chattanooga/)\n- [10] [Tim Boyd keeps seat, Katherlyn Geter topples Greg Beck in Hamilton County Commission race | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/breakingnews/story/2018/may/01/hamilton-county-commission-election-updates/469748/)\n- [11] [Katherlyn Geter upsets Greg Beck in District 5, other incumbents win in primaries - NOOGAtoday](https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/katherlyn-geter-upsets-greg-beck-in-district-5-other-incumbents-win-in-primaries/)\n- [12] [Hamilton County Commission: Incumbent Greg Beck wants more investment in violence prevention | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/12/hamilton-county-commission-incumbent-greg-beck/)","firstname":"Katherlyn","lastname":"Geter","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"token":"M4S8jWcePV"},"token":"katherlyn_geter"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":"5","districtgroup":"county_commission","districtgroupname":"County Commission","districtname":"District 5","job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission_district_5","office":"county_commission_district_5","officedescription":"A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, intergovernmental \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law and the Shelby County Charter.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes bond issues that span decades.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; chairing or sitting on committees that pre-screen items.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 70,000 residents \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commission District 5","partisan":1,"pgr":"primary","quantity":null,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"County Commission District 5"}