After more than two decades of being a scrappy wheeler-dealer in county politics, Curtis Adams is hanging up the gloves.

When the current chairman of the Hamilton County Commission hands over the gavel to a new chairman next year, he'll also step down from the commission after 22 years.

"There's nothing like going out on top," he said Monday. "I've had a good run."

Mr. Adams, who has been on the commission since 1988, will finish his sixth and final term next year. In those years, he's seen everything from combining the county and city school systems to managing growth in rural areas of the county to landing the Volkswagen assembly plant.

In a letter announcing that he is stepping down, he said he looks forward "to the next chapter in my life," but said he wasn't sure what that would be.

"I plan to continue to be involved and expect to remain very active in my hometown of East Ridge," he wrote.

Mr. Adams said he has not heard from anyone seeking his support in a run for his seat. He represents County Commission District 8, which includes East Ridge and a small part of Chattanooga.

Mr. Adams, 76, suffered a mild heart attack in November 2007 but said his health played no part in his decision to step down.

"I'm in perfect health," he said.

As to who might replace Mr. Adams, several names have come up.

County School Board Chairman Kenny Smith said he didn't want to announce Monday whether he would seek Mr. Adams' commission seat.

"Today is really about Curtis and the great things he's done in District 8," he said. "Any announcements I might have, there's time in the future to make those announcements."

Tennessee state Rep. Vince Dean, R-Tenn., a former East Ridge mayor, said he wishes Mr. Adams well in his retirement.

"When I was mayor of East Ridge, he was instrumental in my appointment to the Legislature," said Rep. Dean, who added that he has no intention of seeking Mr. Adams' commission seat.

U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., called it "bittersweet" that Mr. Adams was stepping down. He said he wanted to thank Mr. Adams and his family for their service to East Ridge and the county.

"He's really poured his heart into it," he said.