Graham enters race for county mayor

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Chad Graham has announced his candidacy for Bedford County mayor in the May 1 Republican primary.

Graham is a former director of Bedford County Emergency Medical Services and a current member of Bedford County Board of Education. He is a fourth-generation resident of Bedford County.

A graduate of Cascade High School, Graham served in the U.S. Army before returning to Bedford County to serve as a paramedic. He moved up in the ranks at BCEMS and became the longest-serving director in the ambulance service’s history, for over 17 years. During that time, he established multiple EMS stations and a county-wide first responder program. He currently works in private practice in the health care industry.

Graham has served on the Emergency Communications District (E-911) board and the Hospital Board of Directors. He has served as president of the Tennessee Ambulance Service Association and the South Central EMS Directors Association.

Graham attends Edgemont Baptist Church.

Graham and his wife, Denise “Punkin” Graham, have two children.

Graham said that Bedford County has a great opportunity to take advantage of the dramatic growth in Middle Tennessee.

“We need to attract more businesses and good paying jobs,” he said. “That’s the primary factor to improving the quality of life for everyone in the county, while at the same time, preserving our way of life and that can be done through proper economic development and smart growth.”

Graham said that as a conservative Republican, he believes that when government is run more like a business, it is more efficient and provides a better investment for the taxpayer. He believes the primary purpose of county government is to educate children, provide public safety, and support infrastructure that leads to better economic development.

Graham also noted his time on the school board.

“Some of the accomplishments I’m most proud of as a school board member are the approval of the New Cascade High School, additional elementary classrooms being added and the enhanced Career Technical Education program at Shelbyville Central High School,” he said. “As a community, nothing is more important than properly educating our children, and I’m proud to be part of the solution.”

“I believe my experience in both the public and private sectors as well as my vision and leadership make me the best candidate for Bedford County mayor,” said Graham. “It would be an honor to continue serving my fellow Bedford neighbors as their mayor.”

For more information about Graham, go to BetterBedfordTN.com or email chad@betterbedfordtn.com.