Joe Graham, a Republican candidate for the District 6 County Commission seat, said his opponent, Democratic incumbent John Allen Brooks, hasn’t been visible in his district.
“Most of (District 6 residents) don’t even know who my opponent is,” said Mr. Graham, who met with the Times Free Press editorial board Tuesday.
Mr. Brooks disagreed.
“I had heard early on that was going to be their campaign slogan,” Mr. Brooks said. “I’ve been out more to the neighborhood associations than he’s been. Just because you say something a lot it doesn’t mean that it’s true.”
Mr. Graham said his top issues are crime, education, jobs and infrastructure.
He also disputed Mr. Brooks’ claims of helping the county get more education program funding.
Mr. Brooks has said he ran in 2006 because he felt the county was not getting its fair share of money from the state’s Basic Education Program. He said it was his threat to sue the state over the inequity that led to increased funding.
“He really and truly didn’t have anything to do with that money,” Mr. Graham said.
Mr. Graham said the county school system “needs to be turned upside down.” He said he does not agree with the school board’s decision to hire Superintendent Jim Scales and said he favors electing the school superintendent.
An elected superintendent would be more accountable, he said, and he would prefer that the superintendent have a business and administrative education background to run for the office.
Richard Wilson, a professor of political science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, said Mr. Brooks has an edge in the race but also thinks Mr. Graham poses a threat.
“I think Joe Graham is a very nice man who is waging an aggressive campaign. … Mr. Graham is a formidable challenger,” Dr. Wilson said.
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