Clint Cooper

Clint Cooper is the Free Press editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, representing the conservative side of the newspaper's opinion section. Previously he worked as the religion editor, assistant sports editor and Metro and Lifestyles staff writer for the newspaper. Clint has received numerous honors over the years for his writing and design including first place awards for Best Editorials and Best Single Editorial from the Tennessee Press Association. The Chattanooga native is a cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in mass communications and did postgraduate work there in secondary education. Clint and his wife, Donna, have one adult son, Patrick. Contact Clint at 423-757-6497 or ccooper@timesfreepress.com. You may friend him on Facebook.

Contact Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6497.

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Free Press Opinion: Fleischmann, Hagerty on to November

by Clint Cooper ·July 14, 2026

Neither U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, nor U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, has primary opposition in their bids for reelection next month.

Staff photo by Olivia Ross / Senator Bill Hagerty and U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann talk with Stephen Wright of Wright Brothers Construction Company at the site of the new PIE Innovation Center in Cleveland, TN. Fleischmann and Hagerty toured and discussed the center's impact on March 4, 2022.

Free Press Opinion: Elect Pricer, Connor, Daniel, Kuehn to Hamilton County school board

by Clint Cooper ·July 13, 2026

Clint Cooper's endorsements for the Free Press for Hamilton County school board.

Staff collage / The Chattanooga Free Press endorses Sabrina Daniel, Ben Connor, Gary Kuehn and Sandy Pricer for Hamilton County Board of Education.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Gary Kuehn for Hamilton County Board of Education, District 9

by Clint Cooper ·July 13, 2026

The retired public school teacher and school administrator not only has the background to serve a second term on the board but also has furthered his knowledge by becoming an accredited Level IV Master School Board Member, as tabbed by the Tennessee School Boards Association. We endorse his reelection.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Hamilton County School Board member Gary Kuehn speaks during a meeting on Thursday, January 18, 2024.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Sandy Pricer for Hamilton County Board of Education, District 3

by Clint Cooper ·July 13, 2026

The district is fortunate to have three very capable, very concerned women vying to replace Republican board chair Joe Smith. Of those three, we prefer independent Sandy Pricer over Republican Ashley Dillon and Democrat Dr. Ruth Walker.

Contributed photo / Sandy Pricer

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Ben Connor for Hamilton County Board of Education, District 6

by Clint Cooper ·July 13, 2026

We appreciate that the incumbent Democrat has been reasonable in his approach to what should be a community board and hasn't taken extremist positions.

Contributed photo / Ben Connor

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Sabrina Daniel for Hamilton County Board of Education, District 8

by Clint Cooper ·July 13, 2026

If District 8 residents like current Republican board member Larry Grohn, they'll like the retired teacher who wants to replace him. We believe she's the better of the two running.

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter / Sabrina Daniel, a candidate for the Hamilton County school board, speaks during a Republican rally at Chester Frost Park on Friday, June 5, 2026. The Hamilton County and North River Pachyderm Clubs hosted the rally.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Joe Graham for Hamilton County Commission District 11

by Clint Cooper ·July 12, 2026

Six of the 11 Hamilton County Commission seats will be decided in the upcoming Aug. 6 election.

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Commissioner Joe Graham speaks during the meeting.. The Hamilton County Commission elected new membership on September 3, 2025, at the Hamilton County Courthouse. Ken Smith was elected chairman, while Lee Helton was named chairman pro tem.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Lee Helton for Hamilton County Commission District 7

by Clint Cooper ·July 12, 2026

Six of the 11 Hamilton County Commission seats will be decided in the upcoming Aug. 6 election. Four candidates — Katherlyn Geter in District 4, Warren Mackey in District 5, Steve Highlander in District 9 and Jeff Eversole in District 10 — won primary elections in May and have no August opponent. Ken Smith in District 3 had no primary or general election foe.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Commissioner Lee Helton talks about data centers during a press conference in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses Mike Chauncey for Hamilton County Commission District 8

by Clint Cooper ·July 12, 2026

Six of the 11 Hamilton County Commission seats will be decided in the upcoming Aug. 6 election. Four candidates — Katherlyn Geter in District 4, Warren Mackey in District 5, Steve Highlander in District 9 and Jeff Eversole in District 10 — won primary elections in May and have no August opponent. Ken Smith in District 3 had no primary or general election foe.

Staff photo by Abby White / Hamilton County Commissioner Mike Chauncey speaks during the meeting. The Hamilton County Commission held their weekly meeting at the Hamilton County Courthouse on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 where they voted on Plan Hamilton.

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Opinion: Chattanooga Free Press endorses David Sharpe for Hamilton County Commission District 6

by Clint Cooper ·July 12, 2026

Six of the 11 Hamilton County Commission seats will be decided in the upcoming Aug. 6 election. Four candidates — Katherlyn Geter in District 4, Warren Mackey in District 5, Steve Highlander in District 9 and Jeff Eversole in District 10 — won primary elections in May and have no August opponent. Ken Smith in District 3 had no primary or general election foe.

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Commissioner David Sharpe talks during a press conference in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.