Justin Lamb, a Benton city councilman in his first term, this weekend announced his intent to seek the office of Marshall County First District Commissioner in the 2018 Democratic primary. The seat is presently held by three-term Democrat Bob Gold.
Lamb is a lifelong resident of Marshall County.
“After prayerful consideration and several words of encouragement from friends, family and supporters alike, I have decided to be a candidate for First District Commissioner,” Lamb said. “Marshall County is my home and I am running for this position so together we can shape an even better future for our children and grandchildren. I believe with new ideas, fresh conservative leadership and a lot of hard work, we can and will solve the issues facing our county.”
A native of the Olive community, Lamb grew up in a working-class family and is the son of Kevin Lamb, a member of the Carpenters Union Local 357, and Karen Lovett, a waitress at Kay Lee’s Farmhouse in Aurora. He is the grandson of Gary and Connie Lamb of Olive, Donnie Lovett of Benton and Jack and Flo Darnall of Benton.
Lamb has been married nine years to his wife Lexie, and together they reside in Benton with their 10-year old nephew, Christopher Thompson, a fourth-grader at Jonathan Elementary, and they are awaiting the birth of their first child, Gentry Thomas Lamb this December.
Lamb was educated in the Marshall County Public School System having graduated in 2005. He is attending Murray State University and will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public relations this December. Lamb is employed at Manley’s Four Little Pigs in Benton, where he has worked for the last 11 years.
From 2008 until 2015, Lamb served as the Administrative Assistant to the late Judge/Executive Mike Miller where he gained a working knowledge of county government. Additionally, he was elected to the Benton City Council in 2016 and was chosen as Mayor Pro-Tempore of the city of Benton.
“I have based my entire time in public service on putting the people of this county first,” Lamb said. “I think it is important that government officials remember that the reins of government belong to the taxpayers and I intend to govern by that principle if given the opportunity to serve on the Fiscal Court.
“If elected to serve, I will be accessible to the people and will answer every phone call and address every issue or problem to the best of my ability,” he added.
An avid local historian, Lamb has been the author of a local history column which is now featured on Marshall County Daily and hosts of “A Walk in Time” oral history program on Mediacom Channel 8. He is a member of Olive United Methodist Church and is active in the United Methodist Men’s Ministry. Lamb is a member of the National Rifle Association and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
One of Lamb’s top campaign priorities is to address the need for potable water access for all county residents.
“We have nearly 700 homes in Marshall County who still do not have access to potable water,” Lamb said. “With the resources and revenue our county takes in annually, I strongly believe our county government needs to move this important issue to the top of the priority list because access to clean drinking water is a necessity not a luxury.”
Furthering economic development was also a priority, he said.
“We have made significant strides in furthering economic development over last few years, but we need to continue looking for new ways to make our county more business friendly and to market our county to prospective industries so we can provide good paying jobs right here at home.”
Lamb also said curbing government spending was an issue on which he intended to focus.
“It is critical that our local leaders be responsible stewards of taxpayer money and practice fiscal responsibility,” he said. “Just as I have done while serving on the city council, I will advocate for less government spending and will seek to eliminate any unnecessary expenditures and will work to keep taxes low so the people can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket.”
The Democratic primary will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. The First District is comprised of the Olive, Hardin, Ross, South Benton, Southwest Benton, South Marshall, Brewers and Harvey precincts.