Mayoral elections in Chattanooga, Tennessee

Last updated

Mayoral elections in Chattanooga are held every four years to elect the mayor of Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Contents

All Chattanooga municipal elections are required to be non-partisan, but most candidates can be affiliated with political parties.

2005

2005 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee (1923-2012).svg
 2001March 1, 2005 (general)
April 12, 2005 (run-off)
2009  
Registered92,657
Turnout27.51% (general)
30.44% (run-off)
  US Navy 090609-N-3271W-094 Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield presents a Navy Week proclamation to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West for Chattanooga Navy Week (3x4 ).jpg 3x4.svg 3x4.svg
Candidate Ron Littlefield Ann CoulterDan Johnson
First round9,154
35.91%
10,784
42.31%
4,911
19.27%
Runoff 15,224
54.11%
12,873
45.76%
Eliminated

Mayor before election

Bob Corker
Republican

Elected mayor

Ron Littlefield
Independent

The 2005 Chattanooga mayoral election was held on March 1, 2005, and on April 12, 2005 (as a run-off), to elect the mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent Republican mayor Bob Corker was eligible to run for a second term, but decided to run for U.S. Senate instead. Ann Coulter won a plurality of the vote in the first round with 42.31%, but lost the run-off election to Ron Littlefield, who earned 54.11% of the vote.

Results

General

March 1, 2005 general election results [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Ann Coulter 10,784 42.31%
Nonpartisan Ron Littlefield 9,15435.91%
Nonpartisan Dan Johnson4,91119.27%
Nonpartisan Angela D. Clark2450.96%
Nonpartisan Karl D. Epperson1380.54%
Nonpartisan Eddie Bubba Eubank950.37%
Nonpartisan Thomas Smith II880.35%
Nonpartisan R. Buzzy Hamilton480.19%
Write-in 250.10%
Total votes25,488 100.00%

Run-off

April 12, 2005 run-off election results [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Ron Littlefield 15,224 54.11%
Nonpartisan Ann Coulter12,87345.76%
Write-in 370.13%
Total votes28,134 100.00%

2009

2009 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee (1923-2012).svg
 2005March 3, 2009 2013  
Registered99,024
Turnout18.08%
  US Navy 090609-N-3271W-094 Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield presents a Navy Week proclamation to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West for Chattanooga Navy Week (3x4 ).jpg 3x4.svg
Candidate Ron Littlefield Rob Healy
Popular vote10,2347,186
Percentage57.13%40.12%

Mayor before election

Ron Littlefield
Independent

Elected mayor

Ron Littlefield
Independent

The 2009 Chattanooga mayoral election was held on March 3, 2009, to elect the next mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent independent Mayor Ron Littlefield ran for re-election and was re-elected with 57.13% of the vote. [3]

Candidates

Results

March 3, 2009 general election results [5]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Ron Littlefield 10,234 57.13%
Nonpartisan Rob Healy7,18640.12%
Nonpartisan Thomas Smith II3531.97%
Nonpartisan Joe Lance1050.59%
Write-in 350.20%
Total votes17,913 100.00%

2013

2013 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee.svg
 2009March 5, 2013 2017  
Turnout16.4%
  120110-N-AT895-153 (20610035895) (1).jpg 3x4.svg
Candidate Andy Berke Guy Satterfield
Popular vote12,9184,229
Percentage72.28%23.66%

Mayor before election

Ron Littlefield
Independent

Elected mayor

Andy Berke
Democratic

The 2013 Chattanooga mayoral election was held on March 5, 2013, to elect the next mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent Independent Mayor Ron Littlefield was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Democratic candidate Andy Berke was elected with 72.3% of the vote, defeating Guy Satterfield. [6]

Candidates

Results

March 5, 2013 general election results [6]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Andy Berke 12,918 72.28%
Nonpartisan Guy Satterfield4,22923.66%
Nonpartisan R. Chester Heathingt6593.69%
Write-in 670.37%
Total votes17,873 100.00%
Democratic gain from Independent

2017

2017 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee.svg
  2013 March 7, 2017 2021  
Turnout19.7% [9]
  120110-N-AT895-153 (20610035895) (1).jpg 3x4.svg 3x4.svg
Candidate Andy Berke Larry GrohnDavid Crockett
Popular vote11,9944,9411,438
Percentage63.87%26.41%7.66%

2017 Chattanooga mayoral election results by council district.svg
Results by city council district

Mayor before election

Andy Berke
Democratic

Elected mayor

Andy Berke
Democratic

The 2017 Chattanooga mayoral election was held on March 7, 2017, to elect the mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Andy Berke won re-election against City Councilman Larry Grohn, former City Councilman David Crockett, and businessman Chris Long. [10] [11] [12] Grohn and Crockett were aligned with the Republican Party. [13] [14]

Andy Berke won a majority of the vote in the initial round, so no runoff election was needed. This election took place alongside other 2017 Chattanooga elections, including races for City Council. Berke was sworn in to his second term on April 18, 2017. [15]

Candidates

Results

March 7, 2017 general election results [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Andy Berke (incumbent) 11,994 63.87%
Nonpartisan Larry Grohn4,94126.41%
Nonpartisan David Crockett1,4387.66%
Nonpartisan Chris long4072.17%
Total votes18,780 100.00%

2021

2021 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee.svg
  2017 March 2, 2021 (first round)
April 13, 2021 (runoff)
2025  
  Tim Kelly 2021 (cropped).png 3x4.svg
Candidate Tim Kelly Kim White
First round8,566
30.15%
8,290
29.17%
Runoff 15,969
59.87%
10,662
39.97%

  3x4.svg 3x4.svg
CandidateWade HintonMonty R. Bruell
First round6,110
21.50%
2,408
8.47%
Runoff EliminatedEliminated

2021 Chattanooga mayoral election first round.jpg
2021 Chattanooga mayoral election runoff.jpg

Mayor before election

Andy Berke
Democratic

Elected mayor

Tim Kelly
Independent

The 2021 Chattanooga mayoral election was held on March 2, 2021, and on April 13, 2021 (as a runoff), to elect the next mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Andy Berke was term-limited and ineligible to run for re-election. Since there was no candidate that received a majority of votes in the initial round of the election, a runoff election was held. [22] In the runoff election, Independent candidate Tim Kelly was elected with 59.9% of the vote, defeating Republican candidate Kim White. [23]

This two-round election took place alongside other 2021 Chattanooga elections, including races for City Council. Kelly was sworn in on April 19, 2021.

Candidates

Advanced to the runoff

Eliminated in the first round

  • Monty Bell
  • Monty Bruell (Democratic) (endorsed Kelly) [26]
  • Lon Cartwright
  • Christopher Dahl (Independent)
  • D'Angelo Davis, activist (Democratic)
  • Russell Gilbert Sr., councilman from the 5th district (Republican)
  • Wade Hinton, attorney (Democratic) (endorsed Kelly) [27]
  • Christopher Long (Independent)
  • George Ryan Love, candidate for Tennessee's 3rd congressional district in 2016 (Democratic)
  • Andrew McLaren, actor (Independent)
  • Erskine Oglesby, councilman from the 7th district (Republican)
  • Robert Wilson
  • Elenora Woods, activist (Democratic) (endorsed Kelly) [28]

First round

First round polling

PollsterPoll sponsorSample

size

Margin of sizeMonty BellMonty BruellLon CartwrightChristopher DahlD'Angelo DavisRussell J. Gilbert SrWade HintonTim KellyChristopher LongGeorge Ryan LoveAndrew McLarenErskine OglesbyKim WhiteRobert WilsonElenora WoodsOtherUndecided
The Chattanoogan 2896

(LV)

±0%3%0%1%0%3%8%50%0%0%1%4%26%0%5%1%0%
The Chattanoogan 3057

(LV)

±4%1%3%0%1%1%2%7%52%1%0%1%2%25%1%3%1%0%

First round endorsements

Tim Kelly
Hamilton County Commissioners
Individuals
  • 70 business leaders [31]
Labor unions
Kim White

First round results

2021 Chattanooga mayoral election first round [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Nonpartisan Tim Kelly 8,566 30.15% N/A
Nonpartisan Kim White 8,29029.17%N/A
Nonpartisan Wade Hinton6,11021.50%N/A
Nonpartisan Monty R. Bruell2,4088.47%N/A
Nonpartisan Russell J. Gilbert Sr.8893.13%N/A
Nonpartisan Elenora Woods8052.83%N/A
Nonpartisan Chris Long4911.73%N/A
Nonpartisan Erskine Oglesby Jr.3221.13%N/A
Nonpartisan Monty Dewayne Bell1570.55%N/A
Nonpartisan Robert C. Wilson1360.48%N/A
Nonpartisan Andrew McLaren610.21%N/A
Nonpartisan D'Angelo Davis610.21%N/A
Nonpartisan Christopher Dahl530.19%N/A
Write-in 380.13%N/A
Nonpartisan George Ryan Love180.06%N/A
Nonpartisan Lon Cartwright100.04%N/A
Total votes28,415 100.00%

Runoff

Runoff polling

PollsterPoll SponsorDate administeredSample sizeMargin of sizeTim KellyKim WhiteUndecided
Spry Strategies Chattanooga Times Free Press March 29, 2021330 (LV)±13%51%36%13%

Runoff endorsements

Tim Kelly
Hamilton County Commissioners
Individuals
  • 70 business leaders [31]
Labor unions
Kim White

Runoff results

2021 Chattanooga mayoral election runoff [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Nonpartisan Tim Kelly 15,969 59.87% N/A
Nonpartisan Kim White 10,66239.97%N/A
Write-in 440.16%N/A
Total votes26,675 100.0%
Independent gain from Democratic

2025

2025 Chattanooga mayoral election
Flag of Chattanooga, Tennessee.svg
  2021 March 4, 20252029 
Turnout17.9% (unofficial)
  Tim Kelly 2021 (cropped).png 3x4.svg
Candidate Tim Kelly Chris Long
Popular vote17,3562,750
Percentage85.44%13.54%

Mayor before election

Tim Kelly
Independent

Elected mayor

Tim Kelly
Independent

The 2025 Chattanooga mayoral election will be held on March 4, 2025, to elect the mayor of Chattanooga. Incumbent Independent mayor Tim Kelly is running for re-election to a second term in office. [35] [36] All Chattanooga municipal elections are required to be non-partisan, but most candidates are known to be affiliated with political parties.

Background

On March 14, 2023, there was a proposal to make city elections aligned with county and state and national elections alongside city council term limits. However, it was rejected by the city council, making the mayor and council elections continue to be stand alone in the future. [37] [38]

Candidates

Declared

The following candidates were approved for the March ballot: [39]

  • Tim Kelly, incumbent mayor (party affiliation: Independent) [40]
  • Chris Long, candidate for mayor in 2021 [39]

Endorsements

Declined to endorse
  • Hamilton County Republican Party [41]

Results

2025 Chattanooga mayoral election (unofficial results) [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Nonpartisan Tim Kelly 17,356 85.44%
Nonpartisan Chris Long2,75013.54%
Write-in 2081.02%
Total votes20,314 100.00%

See also

References

  1. "Statement of Votes Cast City of Chattanooga and Collegedale Municipal Elections SOVC For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races Unofficial Results" (PDF). Hamilton TN. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. "Statement of Votes Cast City of Chattanooga and Collegedale Municipal Elections SOVC For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races Unofficial Results" (PDF). Hamilton TN. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  3. "Littlefield Wins Mayor Race; Berz Has Big Margin Over Rutherford". The Chattanoogan. 3 March 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  4. "Blogger Drops Chattanooga Mayoral Bid". Nashville Post. No. 6 February 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  5. "Statement of Votes Cast City of Chattanooga and Collegedale Municipal Elections SOVC For Jurisdiction Wide, All Counters, All Races Unofficial Results" (PDF). Hamilton TN. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  6. 1 2 "2013". elect.hamiltontn.gov. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  7. 1 2 "Andy Berke gets more than 72 percent of vote to win race for Chattanooga mayor | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  8. Ramsey, Bill (2013-02-28). "Election Guide: Guy Satterfield, Myopic Repairman". The Pulse » Chattanooga's Weekly Alternative. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  9. Morton, -David (2017-03-20). "Low voter turnout in Chattanooga precincts". metroideas.org. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  10. Gervin, Cari Wade (2017-04-06). "Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke Was Re-elected Handily in March. Now What?". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  11. "Democratic Andy Berke Wins Second Term as Mayor". Washington Times .
  12. "Chattanooga Mayor Berke Re-Elected to Second Term". WUTC. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  13. 1 2 "Larry Grohn For Mayor". www.chattanoogan.com. 2017-02-12. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  14. 1 2 Lawrence, Hannah (2017-02-28). "Meet the mayoral candidate: David Crockett". WTVC. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  15. "Mayor Andy Berke calls on Chattanoogans to 'build the city we want together'". timesfreepress.com. April 18, 2017. Retrieved 2021-01-17.
  16. "Mayor Andy Berke announces re-election campaign". Local3News.com. 2016-09-06. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  17. "Berke dismisses claims he's focused on bid for higher office". AP News. 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  18. "David Crockett announces bid for Chattanooga mayor's office | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2016-11-17. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  19. Lawrence, Hannah (2017-02-28). "Meet the mayoral candidate: Larry Grohn". WTVC. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  20. Lawrence, Hannah (2017-02-28). "Meet your mayoral candidate: Chris Long". WTVC. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  21. "March 7th 2017 Chattanooga results" (PDF). Hamilton County Election Commissioner. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
  22. "March 2nd 2021 Chattanooga mayoral results" (PDF). Hamilton County Election Commissioner. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  23. 1 2 "April 13th 2021 Chattanooga mayoral results" (PDF). Hamilton County Election Commissioner. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  24. "Business owner Tim Kelly announces mayoral campaign to 'get Chattanooga back on the right track' | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2020-05-21. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  25. WTVC (2020-09-10). "Kim White announces bid to be Chattanooga's first female mayor". WTVC. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  26. Sharpe, Shannen (2021-03-03). "Former Chattanooga mayoral candidate Monty Bruell endorses Tim Kelly". WTVC. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  27. "Wade Hinton endorsement expands list of black leaders supporting Tim Kelly for mayor". WTVCFOX. 2021-04-08. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  28. WTVC (2021-03-16). "Former Chattanooga mayoral candidate Dr. Elenora Woods endorses Tim Kelly". WTVC. Retrieved 2023-12-23.
  29. 1 2 "Hamilton County District 2 Commissioner Chip Baker Endorses Tim Kelly for Chattanooga Mayor" (PDF).
  30. 1 2 "Commissioner David Sharpe: 'Tim Kelly Will Champion Education In Our City'". The Chattanoogan . February 11, 2021.
  31. 1 2 "Over 70 Business Leaders Send Open Letter Supporting Tim Kelly for Mayor" (PDF). 2021-02-05.
  32. 1 2 "Chattanooga Fire Fighters Association Endorses Tim Kelly For Mayor". The Chattanoogan. 2021-02-03.
  33. 1 2 3 4 Taylor, Sarah (February 4, 2021). "Chattanooga police and fire unions make mayoral endorsements". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  34. "March 2nd 2021 Chattanooga mayoral results" (PDF). Hamilton County Election Commissioner. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  35. "Kelly announces bid for second term as Chattanooga mayor | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  36. "WATCH: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly announces his re-election for office". Local3News.com. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  37. "City Council Opts To Continue Stand-Alone Elections With No Council Term Limits". www.chattanoogan.com. 2023-03-15. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  38. Chattanooga City Council Highlights | March 14th, 2023 | PBS , retrieved 2023-12-18
  39. 1 2 "List of Candidate Qualifying Petitions, March 2025". Hamilton County Election Commission. Retrieved 20 December 2024.
  40. "Kelly announces bid for second term as Chattanooga mayor | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
  41. ""Today's the day! Chattanooga city residents, exercise your privilege to vote and get to the polls by 8pm. Not sure where to vote? Head to elect.hamiltontn.gov! Please note, HCGOP is not endorsing any candidates for this race but wish everyone the best of luck!"". Facebook. Hamilton County Republican Party. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  42. "Unofficial Election Results Hamilton County, TN (as of 3/4/2025 FINAL)". Hamilton County Elections. Retrieved 5 March 2025.