(Johnson City, Tenn.) David Tomita officially announces his candidacy for the office of Washington County Commissioner serving the fourth district which includes Southside, Northside and Millennium Centre. “I am running for office because I want to be a part of building a community for the future of my three children and their children,” says Tomita.

The 49 year-old businessman and Johnson City native, says his platform is threefold: “We need fiscal responsibility, a reduction in the number of commissioners and greater transparency in county government.

“My background in finance will be helpful as we look to manage within our means in Washington County during these challenging economic times,” says Tomita, an investment officer with First Tennessee Bank. “We need to control spending.” Tomita says trimming fat, starting with the size of the 25 member commission itself would be a good start.

Tomita cited the health care benefits currently provided to all county commissioners as another example of waste in government and he says he will not accept benefits if elected. “These are some of the areas that county decision makers need to look at in order to help ease the burden on the taxpayer.”

Furthermore Tomita says communications need to be transparent. “People need to know what their commissioners are doing,” he said. “We need to open up the process so that all of the citizens of Washington County can be better informed about their government.”

David Tomita has been married for 19 years to Jenny Brading Tomita. They have three children: Anna 14, Erin 12, and Isabel 10. Tomita has been campaigning door to door with his three daughters throughout the district.

Prior to joining First Tennessee, Tomita was a financial advisor at UBS for five years where he also served as the firm’s local Community Engagement Coordinator. He was formerly with Allstate Financial/Allstate Insurance Company.

Tomita has extensive involvement in the community. He is currently Vice Chairman (and former Treasurer) of the Johnson City Development Authority (JCDA), Chairman of the CC&O Railroad Station Acquisition Committee, Chairman of the CC&O Railroad Station Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Trustees of The Dawn of Hope Foundation. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Johnson City Public Library Foundation. He is the past president of the Board of Directors of Second Harvest Food Bank of NE Tennessee and a member of the United Way Financial Services Committee. A Rotarian, Tomita served as 2008/2009 program chair for the Johnson City Noon Rotary Club. He is a member of the Science Hill High School Band Boosters and coaches Youth Soccer and Softball. He is also U12 Girls Team Sponsor for Vitesse Soccer.