Eric Watson (politician)

Eric Watson (born September 13, 1973) is an American politician and police officer from Cleveland, Tennessee. From 2006 to 2014, he was a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 22nd district, encompassing Cleveland, Meigs County, Polk County, and parts of Bradley County.[1] Watson was elected Sheriff of Bradley County Tennessee in August 2014.

Biography

Eric Watson was born on September 14, 1973.[1] He graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, and received a B.A. and M.A. from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia.[1] He also studied at the University of Tennessee at Martin.[1]

He worked as a deputy sheriff for the Marion County Sheriff's Office from 1995 to 1998.[2] He joined the Bradley County Sheriff's Office in 1999 as a captain. He resigned in October 2011.[3][4] He also worked as an officer for the [[Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency from 2000 to 2005 and as a detective for the Benton Police Department .[2]

He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2006. He was re-elected four times. He was an at-large representative at the 2008 Republican National Convention.[2] In 2010, he received the Legislator of the Year by the County Offincials Association of Tennessee.[5] In November 2011, Beth Harwell appointed him to the Tennessee Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.[6] On October 5, 2013, he announced his intentions to run for sheriff. He resigned from the Tennessee House in August 2014 upon his election as sheriff.

He is a member of the National Rifle Association, Southern Gospel Music Association, and Keep America Beautiful.[1]

He is a Baptist, and married.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 House of Representatives webpage
  2. 1 2 3 Eric Watsob's Biography - Project Votesmart
  3. ↑ Associated Press, 'Rep. Eric Watson resigns from sheriff's office', on Knoxnews.com, October 4, 2011
  4. ↑ 'Eric Watson not resigning as Tennessee representative', in Chattanooga Times Free Press, October 5th, 2011
  5. ↑ 'Eric Watson named Legislator of the Year', in Cleveland Daily Banner,
  6. ↑ Speaker Harwell Appoints Representative Watson To Tennessee Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, The Chattanoogan, November 3, 2011


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