City councilman Chris Anderson reacts to polling results at Democratic headquarters Thursday.Nearly a year of public debate over whether Chattanooga should provide benefits to its employees’ gay or straight partners ended at the polls Thursday with a resounding “no.”
The domestic partner benefits ordinance was rejected by 5,501 votes.
Chattanooga Tea Party President Mark West said he hopes the City Council and Mayor Andy Berke honor “the will of the people.”
“What we want them to take away from this is that the people have spoken,” he said.
Meanwhile, those in favor of the ordinance said the outcome was disappointing and will have negative consequences for the city, but they did see the effort as beneficial.