Early voting starts Wednesday for the March 4 Chattanooga city elections and runs through Feb. 27. All seats on the city council and the office of mayor are up for election during the race.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press asked all candidates in contested races to participate in a short survey covering aspects of their lives and experiences. Two candidates — Tom Marshall and Jeff Davis — will appear on the ballot for a Chattanooga City Council seat representing district 3.
The incumbent, Ken Smith, of Hixson, is not seeking reelection. Smith also serves on the Hamilton County Commission. Here are the candidates’ responses to the newspaper’s survey:
District 3
— Communities represented: Hixson, Valleybrook, Towne Hills and Hamillville
— Number of residents: 20,395 as of the 2020 U.S. Census.
— Incumbent: Ken Smith is not running for reelection.
— Key issues in the race: Infrastructure, growth
— Duties of a council member: Council members are the city’s legislators. They levy and collect taxes, appropriate money to be spent by the city and pay city debts.
— Pay for position: $29,415 yearly. Council member salaries are set at 15% of the city mayor’s salary, with Mayor Tim Kelly’s salary set at $196,100.
— Term begins: April 14
(READ MORE: Ken Smith joins others in Hamilton County who have held more than one post)
Contributed photo / Tom Marshall is running for Chattanooga City Council’s third district.Tom Marshall
— Age: 53
— Years lived in district: 53
— Neighborhood: Valleybrook
— Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
— Occupation: Marshall is an owner representative with DeFoor Brothers, a Chattanooga-based development company.
— Experience/qualifications: “I went to Hixon High School and graduated in 1989. And from there I went to Chatt State and earned one degree, and then went on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and earned another degree. After that, my father made me partner in our family business that was open in Hixson for 45 years, and the name of that was Billy T. and Tom Signs. I was able to sell that business to another local firm about 10 years ago. And I worked for them for a few years, but after that I was approached and was hired by a development group in downtown Chattanooga that works all over the South and all over the United States, by the name of the DeFoor Brothers. And that’s where I currently work now.”
— Family: Married, with two daughters and a son
— Amount raised, per latest disclosure forms: $19,445
— Website or social media page: electtommarshall.com
Why are you running? Marshall said his priorities for a term on the council included pay increases for first responders as well as support for funding their pension plans. He said he feels a responsibility to help his community that stems from his childhood.
Why should voters choose you? “I feel my business background and leadership and problem solving skills, from owning my own business and dealing with budgets and good times and tough times, and then employing hundreds of people through the years is a very strong point and is going to be very crucial going forward. I promise to work tirelessly to ensure that every voice is heard and will draw from my decades of business experience and find a thoughtful and practical solution that would benefit us all.”
(READ MORE: Who qualified for Chattanooga’s 2025 city races)
Contributed photo / Jeff Davis is running for Chattanooga City Council’s third district.Jeff Davis
— Age: 42
— Years lived in district: 14
— Neighborhood: Meadow Trace subdivision in Hixson
— Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2005, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2010. In 2021, Davis earned a certification as a child welfare law specialist.
— Occupation: Child advocacy attorney, representing the best interest of children across Southeast Tennessee who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect
— Experience/qualifications: “I have served on the board of commissioners for Hixson Utility District since 2016, where I have gained extensive experience in providing financial oversight for our water company’s handling of ratepayer funds and operational oversight for the maintenance of our water supply system, ensuring that Hixson residents receive high-quality water at low rates. I served as a judicial commissioner for Hamilton County government from 2012-2013 and completed the Chattanooga Police Department’s Community Policing Academy in 2024, and from these experiences I gained knowledge of the inner workings of law enforcement and created relationships with law enforcement officers throughout Chattanooga. I served on the board of directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga from 2012-2018, and I have served in various positions of lay leadership at Burks United Methodist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Hixson.”
— Family: Davis is married with two sons
— Amount raised, per latest disclosure forms: $19,050
— Website or social media page: votejeffdavis.com
Why are you running? “I am running to be a strong advocate for the needs of district 3 residents, to put my leadership experience to work on the Chattanooga City Council and to ensure that Chattanooga remains a great place to live, work and play for future generations.”
Why should voters choose you? “I have over a decade of proven leadership experience with public and private organizations across Chattanooga. I will fight for brighter futures for children and families across Chattanooga by advocating for government projects that enhance the quality of life for Chattanooga families. I will take a conservative, responsible approach to the expenditure of taxpayer funds while prioritizing investment in our city’s infrastructure. I have received no campaign contributions from real estate developers or other special interest groups or individuals connected with such groups, so district 3 residents can rest assured that I will be an unbiased representative who will serve the best interest of everyday Chattanoogans.”
Contact Mariah Franklin at mfranklin@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.