WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsScott, McGary Oust Incumbents; Murphy Wins Dist. 9

Scott, McGary Oust Incumbents; Murphy Wins Dist. 9

By David Carroll

dcarroll@wrcbtv.com

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Two political newcomers unseated incumbents in Tuesday's Chattanooga City Council runoff elections.  Another newcomer wins a third seat, in which an incumbent did not seek another term.  The results, combined with those of the March 3 primary and the November 2008 special election,  will lead to a majority turnover on the City Council, for the first time since the Council form of government was established in 1990. Click here for the results.

In the race for District 1, Chairperson Linda Bennett, finishing her first term,  lost to challenger Deborah Scott.  Scott, who has worked in the health care field,  led in early returns but fell behind Bennett a few minutes later.  However, Scott took the lead for good, building a stronger margin as the night went on.  She finished with more than 60 percent of the vote.  In March 3rd Chattanooga election, Bennett led a 3-person race, but did not get the required 50 percent of the vote.  Scott ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, charging the current Council members with irresponsible, uninformed spending.  Several incumbent Council members endorsed Bennett, as did both local newspaper editorial pages.  Scott carried every precinct except North Chattanooga and Moccasin Bend.  She scored decisive victories in Lookout Valley and Mountain Creek precincts.

In the District 8 race,  challenger Andrae McGary beat incumbent Leamon Pierce.  McGary got 70% of the vote in a landslide victory. McGary is 28, married with three young children, and emphasized his background in community organizing.  Pierce is 65, and was among the original members of the Chattanooga City Council, which was organized under a new charter in 1990.  He was the last original member from the 1990 election.  He is a longtime bail bondsman.

The District 9 race had a closer result.  Attorney Peter Murphy won over businessman J.T. McDaniel.  Murphy got 59% percent of the vote to McDaniel's 41%.  Murphy will be the first white Council members in District 9.  All previous Council members from that district are African-American.  He succeeds Deborah Gaines, who opted not to run for another term.

Turnout was predictably low. Only 14% of the registered voters cast their ballots.  Several leaders have called for a review of the election process, saying the city's stand-alone election, traditionally in March and April after a presidential election, prevents healthy voter turnout.  Any move of the election dates would require a change in the city charter.

The three newly-elected Council members will be sworn in Monday April 20.  Among others who will be sworn in are Mayor Ron Littlefield, District 2 member Sally Robinson, District 3 member Pam Ladd (first term), District 4 member Jack Benson,  District 6 member Dr. Carol Berz, and District 7 member Manny Rico.

District 5 member Russell Gilbert was elected in November 2008, and is serving his first term.