When someone offers unnecessary change, there’s a famous old response that goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Indeed, that notion holds true if the desired results are met.
But there is truth in the converse as well. If something is broke, if something is not working, it should be fixed; change is necessary.
Therein lies the state of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. For the better part of the 21st century, the local party has made no meaningful progress in elections, holding just a slither of power in the county’s statehouse delegation.
Over the past two decades, the opposing Republicans have held four out of the five state House seats. Incumbent Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, since 2018 has represented the county’s lone Democratic district, a longtime stronghold for the party within the city’s urban core.
Sen. Bo Watson, R-North Chattanooga, has entrenched himself in the state Senate, holding office in the chamber since 2006. After former Democratic state Sen. Andy Berke left office to serve as Chattanooga mayor, Sen. Todd Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, was elected in 2012 and has held that seat since.