Election picks and predictions: Chattanooga City Council

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March 2, 2009

Election picks and predictions: Chattanooga City Council

As a sometime candidate, I had the unusual experience of having a front row seat for part of this campaign season. In addition to the mayoral candidates, I got to meet most of those running for Chattanooga City Council, since a few of the forums had us all there at once.

I don't know if meeting and/or being face-to-face with the candidates gives one a significant advantage over those voters who only hear about them through the media, but it cannot hurt. After all, candidates go door-to-door for a reason. A printed flier or a radio ad just isn't the same thing.

I've attempted to "do the homework" as well as rely on being in the right place at the right time to evaluate the contenders in person. In forgoing the illusion of objectivity, a commentator should be able to back-up a recommendation (or, for that matter, a mere prognostication) with sound reasoning. Right? But truthfully, there is always more research that can be done, and time is the enemy. Regardless of how prepared I am, here are my picks and predictions for the 2009 Chattanooga City Council elections. Unlike Chad Newton's, they're not a joke--but don't take them too terribly seriously, either.

District 1
Councilwoman and current chair Linda Bennett is running for reelection, and is being challenged by Lookout Valley denizens Joe Graham and Deborah Scott. I like Joe (I didn't get to meet Ms. Scott), and I thank both of these fine citizens for spending the time and energy to join the process, but I didn't hear enough breadth in either of their platforms. It's great to be on the lookout for wasteful spending; terrific, in fact. But the role of council member should employ several additional functions, and I'm not sure either of the challengers is ready.

An argument could be made that having two or more anti-establishment candidates helps the incumbent, as the others will split the vote. My sense is that Bennett would win if only one of the challengers were in the race, so a second term should be fairly easy for her to attain.

District 3
Councilman Dan Page is one of two current representatives stepping down, and two well-qualified candidates have put forth great efforts toward being the one to succeed him. Pam Ladd is organized and and has a wealth of civic and business experience. George Patten has tapped into some generous funding, and is also no slouch when it comes to life experience. Were I in this district, it would be difficult to choose between them, despite some stark differences in their respective political leanings. Our municipal elections are nonpartisan for a reason. Either of these two would serve well, and I don't think I should pick Pam simply because I've known her longer. But if I were voting, that may well indeed be what I'd do.

The fact that Ms. Ladd has organized labor on her side likely gives her the edge in this contest. Money is important in elections, but bodies at the polling places are the ultimate winner.

District 6
Remember in 2007 when Marti Rutherford resigned, after an investigation found that renting an apartment in one district, while one's primary home is in another, violates the residency requirements for holding elected office? Well, here we are again. While steps may have been taken to ensure slightly more compliance with the letter of the law, the spirit of the law remains broken. Ms. Rutherford, for all her passion about neighborhood issues (which, I should here emphasize, is much appreciated), exhibits a pattern of behavior that seems to scoff at any number of regulations and matters of ethical propriety (not just those related to residence). Therefore, I consider that there is really only one qualified candidate on this ballot, and that is Councilwoman Carol Berz.

And let me note that I do understand that political pettiness led to the district being redrawn around Ms. Rutherford's neighborhood. That, however, is not an excuse for running in District 6. As I've heard so many say, "if you're that passionate about representing District 6, (really) move into the district already, and run." A final note on this worn-out topic: as another round of redistricting nears, I will be first in line to support the reinstatement of Rutherford's Hemphill home into the 6th District, as I think Brainerd, in general, needs to be more united in electoral terms. That's a different topic for a different (though somewhat imminent) day.

Now, the big question: will her supporters be able to "bring back Marti" as the signs implore, or will a significant fundraising advantage--and, again, union support--return Dr. Berz to serve a full term? This will be one of the most closely watched races tomorrow, and I will be updating Twitter with live reactions as the results begin to come in. I am calling this one for Carol Berz, but will be watching for signs of an upset.

District 7
Councilman Manuel "Manny" Rico is opposed by two challengers, Mahmood Abdullah and Clifford Eberhardt. This district, which comprises the Alton Park and St. Elmo communities, among others, has had the misfortune of seeing the ugliest political race this season. But the story begins a few years ago, when Councilman Rico made some questionable remarks in the press that caused some to perceive a bias against African-Americans. Boy did that come back to bite him (whether deservedly or not, you decide), as Messrs. Abdullah and Eberhardt each made disparaging statements during this campaign regarding Rico's ethnicity and immigration status (he is a Texas-born American citizen of Latino heritage).

Manny Rico seems to have become somewhat more professional in the intervening years, and he is well-liked in the St. Elmo area, which, frankly, typically votes in higher numbers than do the other precincts. He will very likely win reelection, with which this blog sees no great problem. Ideally there would be a candidate that drew people together, especially in a district so diverse, but I suppose we'll have to wait for that person to show up.

District 8
Councilman Leamon Pierce is also opposed by two challengers, Dennis Clark and Andraé McGary. While I, along with practically this whole city, deeply appreciate Mr. Pierce's length of service and his absolutely impressive civil rights record, I hope that voters in this district take a good look at Mr. McGary. I haven't been this impressed by a candidate for local office in a long time. He has a formidable background in community service for being quite young. His passion, his sincerity, and his demonstrated grasp of current and future issues make him an easy pick over the other two candidates.

Whether or not the enthusiasm surrounding McGary's campaign will translate into votes is an important question. Pierce obviously has the advantage in name recognition (even from negative press about an assault charge, on which he was recently exonerated). The good news is that a couple of young guys with no past political experience entered the process, ran positive campaigns, and got residents excited about an election that could have been very dull and uninspiring. No matter what happens, that indelible mark has been made, and future would-be candidates should use it for encouragement.

District 9
The other open seat in this election has five great candidates running to fill it. That makes my job very difficult, as it is hard to pick just one, and it is nearly impossible to tell which one will emerge as the winner without access to scientific polls or trusted sources on the ground. The candidates are Quenston Coleman, J.T. McDaniel, Thomas Mott, Peter Murphy, and Jackie Thomas. The district is considered to be "black," and indeed has been represented by African-Americans; this may be a disadvantage for Mr. Murphy, who is a white attorney and resides on the relatively affluent Missionary Ridge that overlooks much of the sprawling, gerrymandered district. I contend that the citizens of District 9 would not go wrong by being a little bold and electing him as their representative, as I believe that he is the most qualified.

I long for the day when concerns about race just don't enter into the discussion, but I'm not sure we're there yet. If you're a resident of this district and you feel that Murphy would not adequately represent your interests, I can dispute that but I can't change your mind. Jackie Thomas is a strong candidate who has solid ideas for progress and change. J.T. McDaniel is one of the nicest people I've ever met (not that that alone is a qualifier, but it goes a long way), and is a successful businessman. Thomas Mott is a dedicated advocate for his community. Quenston Coleman has been very active in civic affairs. I think I just listed them in the order that I would choose them, but I honestly have no idea how the numbers will come out tomorrow.

Unfortunately, there are no challengers in Districts 2, 4, or 5. Well, I'll give Councilman Russell Gilbert a pass in the Fifth, as he's only been in office since his November 2008 election. But it's particularly disturbing that Council members Sally Robinson (2nd) and Jack Benson (4th) drew no opposition. That's not to say that I automatically want to see either replaced; I just prefer to have choices, and civil debate about how best to move forward helps, if nothing else, to justify one's decision to return an incumbent to office.

Chattanooga, you'd better get out and vote tomorrow. Thanks.

Chattanooga City Elections | By joe lance | 1:45 PM

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