Campaign finance disclosure statements indicate the two competitive primary races involving state House members in the Hamilton County delegation couldn’t be more different.
Second-quarter disclosures for the House District 27 Republican primary race show incumbent Patsy Hazlewood raised $146,757.01, while challenger Michele Reneau pulled in $56,926.90. The combined total of more than $203,000 raised is likely a quarterly record for a primary race involving an incumbent member of the Hamilton County House delegation.
Meanwhile, second-quarter reports for the House District 28 Democratic primary race show incumbent Yusuf Hakeem taking in $7,950, while opponent Demetrus Coonrod did not report raising any money.
Candidates consistently say raising money is their least favorite part of running for office. Yet, it’s what pays for getting the word out through yard signs, mailers and broader media advertising.
However, Coonrod, currently a Chattanooga city councilwoman who defeated Hakeem to win her seat in 2017, said she just didn’t have time to fool with fundraising. Her report shows a beginning balance of just $2,500, from contributions raised in the first quarter of 2024, and a $2,000 expenditure with Brewer Media for advertising. That leaves her $500 for the last two weeks of the campaign.