Middle Valley Church of God pastor Mitch McClure, right, is sworn in by Bill Knowles after being appointed as the new 3rd District representative by Hamilton County commissioners early Thursday.Mike Carter was right.
Before withdrawing his candidacy this month for Hamilton County mayor, Carter predicted that if Commissioner Jim Coppinger became mayor, commissioners would choose Mitch McClure to fill his vacant District 3 seat.
On Thursday, only two of the 11 District 3 candidates were nominated from the dais. Greg Beck nominated McClure, pastor of Middle Valley Church of God and a volunteer chaplain at the Sheriff's Office. Tim Boyd nominated Lakesite City Commissioner David Howell.
The vote was 7-1, with only Boyd voting for Howell.
It was the last step in a process Carter described late in December as he contested with Coppinger to replace Claude Ramsey, who left to take a job with Gov. Bill Haslam.
Commissioners repeatedly deadlocked 4-4 between Coppinger and Carter. Then Carter said he'd learned of a scenario in which Commissioner Fred Skillern would resign as chairman, elevating Coppinger to chairman. In that position, Coppinger automatically would become temporary mayor when Ramsey stepped down.
Mitch McClureDistrict 3 commissionerAge: 53Family: Wife, Sherri, and two children, Sara and JonathanOccupation: Pastor at Middle Valley Church of God
That would leave the District 3 seat open, and Carter predicted McClure would be appointed.
It all happened just as he described. After Carter released his votes, commissioners unanimously supported Coppinger.
Carter, a former General Sessions judge, declined comment Thursday.
McClure said after the vote he was unsure how Carter concluded he was the inevitable choice to replace Coppinger.
"I've not talked with Judge Carter," McClure said. "I consider Judge Carter a friend."
Commission Chairman Larry Henry said he couldn't comment about whether the commission's vote verified Carter's claims.
There was one other surprise Thursday. Warren Mackey said Wednesday he supported George Patten, who ran unsuccessfully for the District 3 City Council seat.
On Thursday Mackey voted for McClure. After the vote, he said his comment Wednesday meant only that he was considering Patten.
"I'm not sure that I changed my mind," Mackey said.
Commissioners also postponed a vote for commission vice chairman. The two candidates are Chester Bankston and Jim Fields. Commissioners previously had tied 4-4 on that decision.
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