Peter Murphy
Yusuf HakeemPeter Murphy took his fight to keep his District 9 Chattanooga City Council seat to court Thursday, asking a Hamilton County Chancery Court judge to order a runoff.
Murphy is contesting the results of the March 5 city election, which he lost by six votes to Yusuf Hakeem.
He and three city residents sued the Hamilton County Election Commission and Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, elections administrator. Murphy claims he “is entitled to be a candidate” in a runoff election, and city residents Jessie Phillips, Lettie McIntire and Olin Ivey assert they live in District 9 and “desire to vote” for him.
Murphy had no comment after the lawsuit was filed. Hakeem could not be reached for comment, but he has said his campaign is ready for a court challenge or a runoff.
Hamilton County Election Attorney Chris Clem said the commission has no problem with Murphy filing the lawsuit.