Chris Anderson

• INTERACTIVE: Hastert indictment

A three-month effort to unseat Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson has failed.

Hamilton County Election officials confirmed a group of District 7 residents failed to collect the required 1,600 signatures to force a public referendum. Instead the group collected 1,179 valid signatures.

"I'm pleased but not surprised by the results," said Anderson, a gay man who called the petition effort bigotry. "District 7 rejected a massive waste of time and taxpayer dollars."

Anderson opponents said they are disappointed by the results but believe their efforts haven't been wasted.

"A lot of like-minded people got to know each other and have a new vision for the future of our district," said George Goss, an East Lake resident.

Contact staff writer Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.