Keen tenders resignation from Bristol Tennessee council with eyes on potential state run
Bristol Tennessee councilman Chad Keen has submitted his resignation with eyes on a potential run for a seat in the Tennessee House.
Keen also cited focus on personal and professional endeavors as other factors in his decision that will end nine years of service on City Council.
The board must now decide on a replacement within the next 30 days who will serve out the remainder of Keen’s term. Regular city elections are set for this November.
Here is the statement sent out by the city:
Councilman Chad Keen has announced his decision to resign from the Bristol, Tennessee City Council following nearly nine years of service.
Keen was first elected to City Council in 2013 and later served as mayor in 2016 and 2017. He has represented the City on numerous boards and commissions including as liaison to Bristol Tennessee City Schools, the Bristol, Tennessee Industrial Development Board and the board of NETWORKS Sullivan Partnership. His community involvement has extended to his service on the board of directors of the Healing Hands Health Center and with the Rotary Club of Bristol, VA/TN. A lifelong resident of Bristol, Keen earned his degree in Business Administration from King University.
Following a career in manufacturing, he founded his own business, Keen Promotions, which he has operated for more than 20 years.
“I am extremely grateful to our citizens, our business community, my fellow councilmembers, and our city staff for entrusting me with this role,” said Keen. “Our economy is strong. We have great leadership on our City Council, on our city staff, and in our school system. Bristol, Tennessee has come a long way, and our future is incredibly bright.”
In vacating his seat, Keen cites a desire to more fully focus on future personal and professional endeavors, including evaluation of his potential candidacy for office in the Tennessee General Assembly’s First House District. “While this decision has been difficult, I remain committed to serving our community in any way I can.”
According to the city’s charter, City Council must appoint an individual from the same district to fill the vacancy within 30 days. This individual will serve until the next regular city election in Nov. 2022. Keen served the city’s east councilmanic district.
(IMAGE: City of Bristol, Tennessee)
