PBS Hosts City Of Chattanooga Mayoral Candidates Forum
Published February 9, 2021
Chattanooga, TN – After eight years of Mayor Andy Berke holding the office of Chattanooga Mayor, the time has almost arrived for Chattanooga voters to select their new mayor.
As Berke leaves office, a long list of potential city leaders has thrown their hats in the ring to compete for the title of Chattanooga Mayor.
The list is comprised of 16 candidates and includes business owners, activists, and City Council members.
For comparison, in 2013, when Chattanooga had its last open mayoral race, only three candidates were on the ballot.
WTCI PBS has partnered with the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, United Way of Greater Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and their media partner, WUTC 88.1 FM, to produce a series of forums for candidates for Mayor of Chattanooga.
The forums focus on three main topics: the local economy, cradle-to-career education, and civic infrastructure.
The forums are moderated by Ray Bassett, the host of WUTC’s Scenic Roots.
Forum #1 features candidates Andrew McLaren, Kim White, Robert Wilson and Dr. Elenora Woods.
Forum #2 features candidates D’Angelo Davis, Wade Hinton, Chris Long and George Ryan Love.
Forum #3 features candidates Monty Bruell, Lon Cartwright, Christopher Dahl, Tim Kelly and District 7 City Council member, Erskine Oglesby, Jr..
Not currently present on the forums are candidates Michele Peterson, Monty Bell and District 5 Chattanooga City Council member, Russell Gilbert.
Each forum lasts just under 57 minutes and are free to watch on wtcitv.org.
Another opportunity is coming up this evening to get to know the candidates in a forum hosted by The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Chattanooga Chapter.
In partnership with the Hamilton County Voters Coalition, voters can view the virtual candidate’s forum, Tuesday, February 9th from 6:30PM until 8:30PM at Facebook.com/NCBWChattanooga.
All qualified candidates have been invited to participate.
The forum will be moderated by D’Wauna Young Mann. Each candidate will be allowed to share their platform and the public will be asked to submit their questions during the Facebook Live broadcast.
On Thursday, February 11th from 6:30PM – 8:30PM, a similar forum will be held at the same url for the Chattanooga City Council candidates.
Less than a month remains before Chattanoogans can take to the polls to select the new Mayor and City Council members.
Early voting will begin February 10th and end on February 25th.
Election Day is Tuesday, March 2, 2021 for the City of Chattanooga Municipal Election. Polls will be open from 8am to 7pm Eastern.
To apply for an Absentee Ballot Click Here.
To view a sample ballot, your elected representative, election day polling place and absentee ballot status, Click Here.
If you have not yet registered to vote, visit govotetn.gov to start the online voter registration process.
