Fields defeats incumbent Casavant

In a Hamilton County Commission primary race dominated by incumbents, attorney James Fields pulled off a surprise victory, unseating longtime District 2 Commissioner Richard Casavant.

“I just really am humbled by the fact that so many people have confidence in me,” said Mr. Fields, who is an elder at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church. “Richard has done a good job for the past 12 years. He’s a very honorable man.”

Dr. Casavant, 67, did not return calls seeking comment.

Mr. Fields, 55, will face Independent David Cantrell in the Aug. 5 general election.

District 2 covers Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Walden, Falling Water, Mountain Creek and portions of Lookout Valley.

District 1

(Soddy-Daisy, Bakewell, Mowbray, Sale Creek and portions of Red Bank)

Repeating his 2006 victory over challenger Laura Oakley, 50, longtime Hamilton County Commissioner Fred Skillern, 73, defeated his opponent handily.

After a race in which Mr. Skillern refuted accusations from Ms. Oakley that he was inaccessible, the two-term commissioner and co-owner of Dixie Souvenirs will run uncontested in the Aug. 5 general election.

“It’s my past record and what I’ve been able to show the people I can do,” he said. “I care about managing other people’s money more than mine and I’ll stay the same Fred.”

District 3

(Hixson, Middle Valley, Lakesite)

Commissioner Jim Coppinger, 56, was the only incumbent without any challenger anxiety Tuesday evening. Despite an absence of opposition, more than 1,000 District 3 voters traveled to the polls to support him.

Mr. Coppinger’s uncontested primary victory sends the retired fire chief to August’s general election ballot, where he will remain without a challenger.

“I take it as a compliment and yet I do not take it for granted,” he said. “I’ll work just as hard in the future as I did in the first term.”

District 4

(Alton Park, Avondale, Bushtown, East Chattanooga)

Commissioner Warren Mackey beat Debbie Gaines to hold onto his commission seat.

Ms. Gaines, 55, withdrew her candidacy, though Mr. Mackey, 60, claimed she still had yard signs up and feared she could get elected because of voter apathy. Ms. Gaines said she would serve, if elected.

There is no general election opposition for the seat.

District 5

(Summit, Bonny Oaks, Woodmore, Dalewood)

Commissioner Greg Beck, 62, held a tight grip against repeat challenger, Dr. Bernie Miller, 58, at the end of a contentious campaign. The Chattanooga City Court officer also defeated Dr. Miller in the 2006 general election, when his opponent ran as a Republican for the same commission seat.

“My biggest prayer was that God would prevail through the hands of the voters and He did,” said Mr. Beck. “They have given me a second mandate and that’s quite a responsibility. It means we don’t sit down and be comfortable. I intend to double my efforts.”

There is no general election opposition for the seat.

District 6

(St. Elmo, Lookout Valley, Missionary Ridge, Highland Park, Moccasin Bend, East Lake and portions of Red Bank)

Incumbent John Allen Brooks, 55, ran unopposed on the Democratic ballot, and Joe Graham, 44, was unopposed on the Republican ballot. The race will now move to the Aug. 5 county general election.

District 7

(East Brainerd, Westview, portions of Collegedale and Ooltewah)

Commissioner Larry Henry, 61, held off challenger Gordon Anderson, 62.

After a race dominated by annexation debates, the former owner of Stacy Oil Co. will run uncontested in the Aug. 5 general election.

“My record pretty much speaks for itself,” he said. “We’ve got some projects we need to finish with our district schools that need to be completed and I’m glad to be around the next four years.”

District 8

(East Ridge, Brainerd, Eastgate)

Tim Boyd held the edge over Jack Martin in the District 8 primary.

“The most exciting part has been meeting people and listening to their stories and concerns,” said Mr. Boyd, 57. “The real campaign’s going to start tomorrow.”

In August, Mr. Boyd will face Democrat Kenny Smith, 56, the Hamilton County Board of Education chairman and leading primary fundraiser of all county government candidates. A lack of opposition didn’t stop several hundred from supporting Mr. Smith.

“I’m humbled by the amount of people that showed up and voted for me,” he said. “Now it’s full speed ahead. I plan on knocking on a lot of doors and being accessible to voters in my district. Hopefully, I’ll prevail.”

Mr. Boyd will also face Jim Winters and Terry Turner, both independents, in Aug. 5 election.

District 9

(Birchwood, Harrison, Apison, portions of Ooltewah and Collegedale)

Commissioner Bill Hullander, 64, gave up this seat to run for county trustee against incumbent trustee Carl Levi. He won Tuesday evening. Chester Bankston, 64, a member of the Hamilton County school board, won the Republican primary for the seat, beating Richard Tornquist, 72, and Gary Neil, 52.

Each agreed seniors should have their property taxes frozen, but had differing views on issues like tax increases, consolidation, and the state of education in the county.

There is no general election opposition.

Commissioners are sworn in Sept. 1. Their salary is $20,745 and they serve four-year terms.

All vote totals, which include federally mandated provisional ballots, are unofficial until certified by the Tennessee Division of Elections.

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Continue reading by following these links to related stories:

Hamilton County Primary Elections results

Article: Fields wins District 2; Hullander new trustee

Article: Voter guide