Tennessee state representative Gerald McCormickRep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, has introduced a bill that would give Hamilton County another option when faced with an unexpected mayoral vacancy.
The bill, presented Wednesday, authorizes the County Commission to call a special election if the mayor’s office becomes vacant more than 180 days before the next county election.
“We introduced this in consultation with county government to avoid a situation like last time,” McCormick said.
After former mayor Claude Ramsey left to join Gov. Bill Haslam’s administration last month, commissioners deadlocked 4-4 between then-commission vice chairman Jim Coppinger and Mike Carter, the former special assistant to Ramsey.
Coppinger became mayor through some maneuvering on the commission. Then-chairman Fred Skillern stepped down, immediately putting vice chairman Coppinger in the top slot.