Democrat Warren Mackey will run for another term on the Hamilton County Commission after over a decade in the seat.
Elected in 2010, Mackey has, for 20 years, represented District 4, a dense area that encompasses Chattanooga’s downtown and surrounding neighborhoods like Fort Wood, Orchard Knob and Highland Park. He is currently uncontested, according to the Hamilton County Election Commission’s list of those who have picked up election paperwork.
Mackey, 76, puts his support behind policies that align with equity and fiscal responsibility when it comes to economic growth, according to a Tuesday press release. In the past, Mackey has put his support behind county involvement in Chattanooga’s Westside redevelopment. He was one of the commissioners in support during an August 6-5 vote on Plan Hamilton, which set up guidelines for new development in unincorporated areas of the county.
“District 4 deserves leadership that delivers,” Mackey said in the press release. “I’m running for reelection to continue investing in safe roads, strong schools and opportunities that help families and neighborhoods thrive.”
Most recently, Mackey has put support behind a new proposal from Urban Story Ventures to turn the old downtown Hamilton County jail building into a music and movie studio, complete with a data center in the basement and a helipad.
(READ MORE: Plan Hamilton adopted by regional planning board)
He wants equitable school funding in his district, according to the press release. His campaign website says majority-minority schools in his district spend over $700 less per student than schools in other parts of the county with majority white students. He would like to see more even distribution of funding, according to his website.
In the past, he advocated for a new $10 million indoor sports facility to be built at The Howard School and for the old Mary Ann Garber Elementary School to be transformed into a vocational school.
Mackey will need to get 25 signatures from those who live in his district by Feb. 19 to run in the Democratic primary for his seat, which will be held May 5. The general election for his and every other commission seat will be Aug. 6.
— Compiled by Siena Duncan
Note: This story was updated Jan. 27 to correct the length of Mackey’s tenure.