The Nightside Pachyderm Club will hold a debate/forum for the candidates running in the May 1 Republican Primary for Hamilton County Commission District 8.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10 at Wally’s restaurant on Ringgold Road from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Incumbent Tim Boyd is seeking his third term on the commission. He is being challenged by East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert, who mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the position in 2014.

Voters in District 8 are invited to the meeting to learn more about the candidates and their goals for the district and Hamilton County. 

Early voting for the primary begins on April 11.

In late March, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that Lambert accused Boyd of threatening him, his family and his business during both candidates’ appearance at the Pachyderm Club. The “threat” apparently centered on Boyd telling Lambert that information could come out during the course of the campaign that could damage Lambert.

Lambert accepted $5,000 in June 2017, including $3,000 from developers of Jordan Crossing. The contributions came 12 days after the East Ridge City Council voted to commit to a $2.5 million bond to partially pay for the reconfiguration of Exit 1  that directs traffic from Interstate 75  into the development.

Lambert, election commission records show, used the money to pay off a portion of a $9,100 loan he gave his own 2014 re-election campaign as Mayor of East Ridge.

Lambert filed a complaint with Hamilton County District Attorney’s office regarding “threats.” Officials with the DA’s office requested the TBI investigate the complaint, the specifics of which have never been officially released.