Late endorsements fly in primaries for three Hamilton County legislative candidates

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Then-state Rep. JoAnne Favors speaks in 2018 in Chattanooga. Favors has endorsed city council member Demetrus Coonrod in her campaign to unseat state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem. Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Then-state Rep. JoAnne Favors speaks in 2018 in Chattanooga. Favors has endorsed city council member Demetrus Coonrod in her campaign to unseat state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem.

By William D'Urso July 26, 2024 4 min read

A late surge of endorsements dropped for Hamilton County legislative candidates in recent days as the calendar flips toward the Aug. 1 primary.

Demetrus Coonrod, who is challenging fellow Chattanooga Democrat Yusuf Hakeem for his seat in the state House, was endorsed by local political veteran JoAnne Favors.

“Demetrus has personal knowledge of the challenges faced by people from all income levels,” the former state representative said in a statement released by the Coonrod campaign. “She is committed to working diligently to improve policies and laws related to health care delivery, education, family and children services, and creating opportunities for wealth generation.”

Favors is the lone endorsement for Chattanooga City Council member Coonrod, who has not reported raising any money for the District 28 race.