{"county":"hamilton","description":null,"district":"3","districtgroup":"county_commission","id":598,"key":"county_commission_district_3","lastchangeby":null,"name":"Ken Smith","next_election":null,"notes":null,"officegroup":null,"partisan":0,"party":null,"qualities":"- 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.","quantity":1,"source":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01","term_years":4,"terms":[{"current":1,"description":null,"electiondate":"2022-08-04","name":"Ken Smith","person":{"biography":"Ken Smith is a Republican candidate for Hamilton County Commission District 3 in Tennessee [8]. He currently serves as the Chairman of District 3 on the Hamilton County Commission, which acts as the legislative body for the county [12]. The commission consists of eleven commissioners who make decisions impacting daily life, including approving the county budget and deciding on property zoning requests [12]. Smith notes that while the commission does not have the authority to create laws independently, it ensures county government operates within state guidelines [12].\n\nSmith previously served on the Chattanooga City Council for 12 years before his current role as County Commissioner [12]. He describes himself as a father of three and husband to Cinnamon, an educator with over 16 years of experience in public schools [12]. His stated priorities include managing growth and development, strengthening neighborhoods, increasing government transparency, addressing infrastructure needs, and advocating for public education [12]. He serves on committees related to finance, economic development, education, and recreation [12].\n\nSmith is running in the Republican primary for this seat. The general election for Hamilton County Commission District 3 is scheduled for May 5, 2026 [8]. His campaign website lists his contact email as ksmith@electkensmith.com [12].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Ken Smith (New York) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(New_York))\n- [2] [Ken Smith - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith)\n- [3] [Ken Smith (Pennsylvania) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(Pennsylvania))\n- [4] [Ken Smith (Milton Alderperson At Large, Wisconsin, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(Milton_Alderperson_At_Large,_Wisconsin,_candidate_2026))\n- [5] [Ken Smith (Pender County Board of Commissioners District 4, North Carolina, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(Pender_County_Board_of_Commissioners_District_4,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))\n- [6] [Ken Smith (Texas) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(Texas))\n- [7] [Ken Smith (Washington) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ken_Smith_(Washington))\n- [8] [Ken Smith, Chairman, District 3 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District3.aspx)\n- [12] [Meet Ken - electkensmith](http://www.electkensmith.com/meet-ken.html)","firstname":"Ken","lastname":"Smith","token":"1K7HpROqhP"},"term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"}],"title":"County Commission District 3","type":"legislative","url":null,"whenchanged":"2026-04-26 19:41:41"}