Chattanooga Elections Bring Changes to City Council

News Summary

Chattanooga’s recent elections resulted in significant changes to the City Council. Mayor Tim Kelly was re-elected, while four new members joined the council. Notably, city employees will no longer be required to reside in Chattanooga. Runoff elections are scheduled for Districts 6 and 8, as candidates campaign on critical local issues.

Chattanooga Elections Bring Exciting Changes to City Council

It was an eventful Election Day in Chattanooga as residents cast their votes for mayor and various city council positions, leading to significant outcomes that will shape the future of the community. Voter turnout was robust, showcasing the citizens’ eagerness to have their voices heard in local governance.

Mayor Tim Kelly Secures Re-election

Incumbent Mayor Tim Kelly has successfully secured his position as the city’s leader once again, receiving a whopping 72% of the vote. He faced off against Chris Long, who had previously run for mayor in 2017 and 2021. This landslide victory solidifies Kelly’s standing and highlights the community’s support for his leadership.

City Council Incumbents Hold Their Ground

In the race for the city council, three incumbents emerged victorious in their bid for reelection. Chip Henderson held onto his seat, soundly defeating challenger James “Skip” Burnette with a vote tally of 1,947 to 724. Both Jenny Hill and Raquetta Dotley were unopposed, allowing them to continue their work on the council without competition this time around.

Runoff Races and New Faces on the Council

In an exciting twist, Jenni Berz will be moving forward to a runoff election for District 6 against Christian Siler. Berz leads the charge with 936 votes compared to Siler’s 322. Similarly, another runoff has been set for District 8, where Marvene Noel will face Anna Golladay after Noel garnered 702 votes to Golladay’s 313. It seems that these races are heating up!

Chattanooga will welcome four new faces to the city council, with Cody Harvey, Jeff Davis, Ron Elliott, and Dennis Clark winning their respective races. Dennis Clark claimed the District 5 seat, defeating Isiah Hester with a count of 1,576 to 871. Ron Elliott took the lead in District 9 with 1,778 votes, leaving his opponents Letechia Ellis and Evelina Kertay behind. Jeff Davis snagged the District 3 position after winning against Tom Marshall with a tally of 1,365 to 1,216. Lastly, Cody Harvey will take the District 4 seat, stepping in unopposed after Darrin Ledford’s tenure.

Changes in City Employee Residency Rules

One of the hot topics in this election cycle was a city charter amendment which passed with a significant margin of 13,411 votes for and 6,232 against. This amendment eliminates the residency requirement for city employees, including police and firefighters, reflecting a shift towards more flexible employment rules in Chattanooga.

Moving Forward with Runoff Elections

Mark your calendars! The runoff elections for Districts 6 and 8 are scheduled for April 8, with early voting kicking off from March 19 and wrapping up on April 3. These upcoming races are sure to capture the community’s attention as candidates continue to campaign on important issues highlighted during the election season, such as infrastructure, crime, and community response.

In total, 23 candidates were vying for the nine city council positions, showcasing a healthy interest in the local governance among Chattanooga residents. The recent election was shaped by the fact that three incumbent council members chose not to run for reelection, and the community also mourned the loss of council member Carol Berz, who passed away in December.

As Chattanooga continues to evolve, the recent elections signal new opportunities for governance and community growth, and residents await the exciting developments that lie ahead.

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Additional Resources

• News Channel 9
• Wikipedia: Chattanooga
• Times Free Press
• Google Search: Chattanooga elections 2025
• Local 3 News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Tennessee
• KSWO
• Google News: Chattanooga city council runoff