Bedford County Mayor Chad Graham officially announced his re-election campaign on Friday in a press release.
“For many years, our county lagged behind surrounding counties in benefiting from regional economic growth,” Mayor Graham said in a statement. “While we certainly want an improved economic environment, we also don’t want to sacrifice our quality of life to unbridled growth, traffic congestion and crime. I believe we have the right approach and now is the time to continue building on our recent successes for the sake of future generations and make Bedford County even better.”
Among the accomplishments cited by the incumbent in his announcement include reducing the number of portable classrooms with a new elementary school; investing in emergency vehicles, body cams, and an E911 radio system; saving $11 million taxpayer dollars through strategic bond refinancing; securing $14 million in grants for projects such as the courthouse renovation; and partnering with Meharry Medical College to bring dental services to the underinsured.
These initiatives will “attract a strong middle class, increase Bedford County’s tax base and improve the overall quality of life and place,” the press release notes.
Mayor Graham was raised and graduated high school in Bedford County, according to the press release. After serving in the Army, Graham came home to start his family and transition to Bedford County Emergency Medical Services. Graham started his career in 1989 as an EMT, later graduating from the University of Alabama’s Huntsville paramedic program, where he advanced to EMS director. He and his wife, Denise, raised their family in Bedford County and are members of Edgemont Baptist Church. Graham has served on the Bedford County School Board, worked in private healthcare, and was elected as the first Republican mayor of Bedford County on August 2, 2018.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Mayor Chad Graham” by Chad Graham. Background Photo “Bedford County Courthouse” by Ichabod CC BY-SA 3.0.
