Former Chattanooga City Council member Demetrus Coonrod issued a statement Friday saying that resignations within the Hamilton County Democratic Party are not a matter of routine turnover, scheduling conflicts or a lack of commitment.
“These departures reflect a deeper, systemic issue that has created a culture many individuals, particularly Black members, young leaders and those unwilling to acquiesce to certain internal power structures no longer feel safe or respected serving in,” Coonrod said in her statement.
Coonrod, who lost her primary contest against state Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, in 2024, has been a critic of the local Democratic Party in recent years.
Earlier this week, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported that most of the Hamilton County Democratic Committee leadership has resigned, including party Chair Nikwonn Robinson, who was elected in March as the first Black woman elected to lead local Democrats.
Tammy Barnes, the remaining member of the leadership panel, will serve as interim chair until the Executive Committee meets next week to determine next steps.