A new vision for Franklin County is what William David “Opie” Hester believes he can apply if elected to serve as Commissioner District 4.

“I hear people where I live say they wish someone would step up and actually do something around here,” said Hester. “I honestly believe I can make a difference or I would not be running.”

Hester said this will be his first time to ever run for an elected position and believes it may be more of an advantage than a disadvantage.

“I will be the first to tell you I am no polished politician,” he said. “I am just a regular guy who sees that some things need to be taken care of on our side of the county. I believe I am personable and can work with the other commissioners to get things done.”

Hester was born in Red Bay and considers Franklin County to be one of the best areas in the state.

“As a kid my parents moved us around, and I had the chance to live in different places.” He said. “Now as an adult, there is no place I would rather be than here.”

Hester’s community involvement mostly consists of recreational sports, where he has coached and instructed youth throughout the county. Hester is also a member of the Cattleman’s Association and serves as a trustee at the Red Bay Freewill Baptist Church.

“My faith is the most important thing in my life,” said Hester. “When there are decisions to be made, I have found that I make better decisions when I pray about them first.”

Hester is currently employed at Tiffin Motorhomes and has been there for almost 30 years. The majority of those years he has worked at the Tiffin Service Center, replacing windshields for customers who have had problems. He said the experiences he has learned from his job should help him if elected.

“My entire job revolves around fixing problems,” said Hester. “I take pride in what I do for a living. Customers come in here and tell me what their problems are, and after talking it over with them for a few minutes, we agree on a solution, and I fix the problem. I always try to do it right the first time.”

Hester plans on taking the tools he has learned from the “customer relations” side of his job and hopes to apply them to the commissioner position.

“I keep hearing people talk about rough roads around our community and what it might take to fix them,” he said. “I want those people to know they would be able to count on me to take those suggestions and bring them to the forefront to be solved.”

Hester said he knows there is a certain level of responsibility that comes with being a commissioner and wants everyone to know he does not take that for granted.

“From the day I decided to run until now I have learned from others what it might take to become a good commissioner,” Hester said. “I am prepared to take on whatever I need to take on to make sure the people in my community are satisfied with the job I am doing.”

He is running against Wade Inmon for the Republican nomination in the March 1 Primary.

Hester has been married to Elizabeth Purser Hester for 37 years. He has a son, Adam Hester, who is married to Tina Johnson Hester, and three grandsons, Dylan, Noah and Ty.