Mayor Resigns After Video Showing Him Stumbling Around Downtown Johnson City Is Shared Online

Image Credit: Brad Batt / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

The Mayor of Johnson City, John Hunter, has resigned after a video showing him stumbling around the downtown area was shared online.

Hunter, who served both as mayor, and as a city commissioner, submitted his resignation on Monday according to the city.

“After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to resign from my role as Mayor and from my seat on the Johnson City Commission, effective today,” wrote Hunter in the letter.

A week after the video was taken and shared online, Hunter took to Facebook to apologize for falling short of the community’s “high values and standards.” 

“I am deeply sorry for my actions and regret the embarrassment and disappointment they have caused my family, colleagues and community,” wrote Hunter.

In his resignation letter, Hunter called serving the community for almost two decades one of the “greatest honors” of his life, and wrote that it had been a privilege to represent the people of Johnson City.

Ultimately, the decision to resign was born out of not wanting to be “a distraction from the focus that Johnson City needs of continued success and positive accomplishments.”

In the comments on Hunter’s Facebook post, many community members expressed concern over Hunter’s actions, and implored him to seek help.

Mickey Trivett wrote:

“While I acknowledge the public apology, I want to be very clear, an apology does not make this right.

Driving while intoxicated is not just a lapse in judgment; it’s a reckless, dangerous choice that could have taken someone’s son, daughter, or loved one away forever. The video shows clear signs of intoxication, followed by the decision to get behind the wheel and drive off without regard for the lives of others. That’s not just a mistake, it’s a blatant disregard for public safety.

What makes this even worse is that this individual is the mayor of our city, the same person who recently enforced a curfew on alcohol sales in the exact community where this happened. So, are we playing by the rule of “do as I say, not as I do”? Because that’s what it looks like.

Holding a position of power and leadership should never grant someone immunity from consequences. If anything, it should demand higher accountability. And let’s be honest, the fact that a public apology was even issued confirms guilt. He knew it was wrong and chose to do it anyway.

This is not about political beliefs or party lines. This is about doing what is right. And what’s right is this, he should be held fully accountable for his actions and step down from his position. Because leadership without integrity is just a title, and our city deserves more than that.“

At its work session on Thursday afternoon, the commission plans to discuss filling the vacant seat that Hunter leaves. The city commission is granted the ability to appoint an incumbent to fill the seat until the next regular city election by the city’s charter.

Formal acceptance of Hunter’s resignation will come at the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting that follows the work session. Vice Mayor Greg Cox is slated to fill his position as mayor.

Other Sources:

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-mayor-john-hunter-resigns

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-mayor-issues-statement-on-downtown-video

https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-community-shares-reaction-to-john-hunters-resignation

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.