Hamilton County Commissioner Jim Coppinger said today he’s ready to get back to work following another commissioner’s announced vote change, a move that could break the weeks-long deadlock over the interim county mayor seat in favor of Coppinger.
“I want everyone to really understand this. I think it’s really important that after this process is over that we all unite and come together,” Coppinger said to a room full of 1st District Republicans. “My goal, if I’m appointed as the new county mayor, is to pull everybody back together. I don’t think that’s gonna be much of a problem for the commission.”
Commissioner Warren Mackey announced Friday he would change his vote because of what he called a divisive charge by candidate Mike Carter of back-room dealing. Mackey’s change shifts a 4-4 deadlock to a 5-3 vote favoring Coppinger, barring a change of heart by any other commissioners.
Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday for another vote to decide who will succeed Mayor Claude Ramsey when he officially resigns the next day to join the staff of Gov.-elect Bill Haslam.
“Mike Carter’s an admirable person. We’ve had a really competitive competition,” Coppinger said. “I like him, we just happen to be competing for the same position.”