Businesswoman Elea Wright is challenging incumbent Hamilton County Commissioner Warren Mackey, D-Bluff View, in the upcoming Democratic primary.
District 4 encompasses Chattanooga’s downtown and some of the densest neighborhoods surrounding it, including Fort Wood, Orchard Knob, Highland Park, Ridgedale and Avondale. Mackey has been in office for two decades and is running for a sixth term.
Wright, 34, was raised in Chattanooga and has lived in her home in Ridgedale for nine years. She’s chief of operations at her family business, Elea Blake Cosmetics, which was started by her mother. She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from the University of Tennessee.
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Wright’s campaign finance records were not available in time for publication. All candidates are required to file records for donations and expenses from January to March by the end of Friday.
Early voting for the county primaries starts April 15, and election day is May 5.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press sent a questionnaire to both candidates. The answers below are in their own words.
(READ MORE: Incumbent Warren Mackey says district is experiencing ‘real and meaningful growth’)
Q: Why are you running for County Commission, and what are your qualifications?
A: I’m running because I see the potential for District 4 to be a place where all can thrive. I’m qualified because I have involved myself in finding out “why” things are the way they are, “what” can be done to change the status quo, and “how” my voice can be used to advocate for others who are just as vocal but aren’t prioritized. I’m filled with a purpose for this community that has given me so much and shaped who I am. Purpose is something that can’t be let go. As a lifelong Chattanoogan, I literally cannot imagine myself living anywhere else. I even call my house my “die home” because I never want to move. I love it here, and I advocate for what I love.
Q: If elected, what would be your three biggest priorities?
A: Orchard Knob Middle School as a place where students can feel proud to go to school. I would love for Carver Park to be a part of that vision. I see it as a way for the city and county to collaborate in uplifting those who will be the future of this community.
I would like government to function less unilaterally and more collaboratively with the community they represent. There are lots of people with great ideas who are invested in making the places they live safer. They show up, but they aren’t listened to. We should shape our agendas around community outreach, and we should shape our decisions on ensuring that they benefit existing constituents. Justin J. Pearson said, “Congress on your corner,” and I felt my heart stop. In my involvement with government, half the battle is knowing WHERE to get people connected to the resources they qualify for and need.
Cost of living for longtime residents and ensuring that we create cyclical communities where all ages can be involved.
Q: What do you think is the largest challenge facing your district, and what would you do about it if elected?
A: Poverty. Poverty affects everything from housing, education and health. All those subjects are connected. There are thousands of studies that show where investment can go to uplift people out of poverty. We do not need to discover these solutions, but we do need to invest in them.
Every agenda item for EVERY district should be viewed from the lens of “does this help break cycles of poverty or does this exacerbate them / seek to simply displace people.” Chattanooga likes to move people they view as problems OUT, but that doesn’t solve the problem, it only addresses the symptom.
Historically there have been year-over-year increases in the percentage of people without access to stable housing, food or transportation. While this follows national trends, it also makes one thing clear: The priority isn’t ensuring people have access to stable housing, healthy food and well-compensated employment. In my own life, I’ve found it best to always refer back to THE vision when spending money.
(READ MORE: Amendments to Plan Hamilton changes get commission OK)
Q: Do you think the county needs to attract more industry to the area? Why or why not, and how should that be done?
A: Yes, but I don’t think we need to attract heavy industry. Heavy industry is expensive to attract, to build infrastructure around and to maintain. Light manufacturing can coexist in neighborhoods with high density. I know that because I live a block from a factory that has Overlooked Materials as well as several other factories.
These light manufacturing facilities are quieter and can support MANY small businesses. This is great because it provides a variety of jobs, diversifies the county investment so that if certain corporations fail the county won’t, and also allows for more economic mobility by creating spaces where entrepreneurship without wealth can begin.
It also improves the area by providing desirable places for community to patronize (restaurants, indoor soccer facilities, green spaces, food trucks, etc.). These businesses require less investment in infrastructure, give back more therefore improving long and short term ROI for tax payers, and attract larger manufacturers too!
Q: Where would you increase county spending? Where would you cut it?
A: The county needs to invest more in areas that are proven to return our investment faster, and we need to cut spending in areas that do not return our investment as taxpayers. This is basic business best practice.
As I was listening to the County Commission regarding Jailhouse Studios, I heard a man who had done real math on county investment. The case he delivered was one where the county wasn’t getting a good deal on the lease. His ask wasn’t unfair, yet he wasn’t listened to. Why? This isn’t the first time a concerned citizen has done the math and the math wasn’t heard out.
I don’t believe in blanket statements. I believe in evidence-based, pragmatic solutions that balance investment with taxpayer return. As a county commissioner, I can’t introduce agenda items without assistance, but I can make sure that EVERY budgetary item is treated with due diligence. I do this in my private life, and as a taxpayer, I want to know my taxes are being treated similarly.
Q: What do you think is Hamilton County’s most pressing infrastructure need? How would you respond to that need?
A: I know many don’t see schools as infrastructure, but they are the MOST important investment the county can make. Without schools that guarantee children access to a quality, free education, we will NOT attract jobs that will create a rich future for us all.
To support schools, we need to attract people to invest in areas. To do that, we already know what draws people to areas. Millennials, my generation, love living in places that are walkable, offer unique businesses that reflect a diverse community and are safe for their children to play in the yards.
When I say “attract,” I also mean retain, by the way. Many of the people I went to school with moved away from Chattanooga because it didn’t celebrate diversity in meaningful ways, didn’t invest in something as simple as sidewalks (that are shown to result in 10x return on investment) and didn’t address issues that weakened their equity. That is money literally wasted. We can’t expect people to stay if we don’t SHOW them we care.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga back to square one searching for major industrial sites)
Q: Do you think your district is growing too fast or too slow? Why?
A: I think it is being developed in a way that shuts out small businesses, long-term residents and rewards a few well-connected individuals. I have experienced this firsthand as someone who grew up with a mom that started a small business here 29 years ago.
I’m not going to go deep into this question because I think us vs. them isn’t a productive conversation, but I really urge people to ask their representatives, “Hey, you say you are for ‘X,’ what specific things have you done that have benefited them?” If they can’t give you a good answer, then maybe it’s time to elect someone who can. And if they don’t, get rid of them, too.
We have to hold elected officials accountable. We also need MORE people to run more often. The same old, same old got us into multiple affordability crises. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. I’m sane.
Q: Anything else you’d like voters to know?
A: I need you to get involved. I’m not fundraising because I want more from people. I need them to not just check in during election season, but I know the reason they might do that is because elected officials often only check in during that season, too. They don’t seek you out and ask for you to participate. I’m doing both. Without you, the public, I am just ONE person. Together, we are people committed to making this a place that works for us ALL, not just those lucky enough to be born in fortuitous conditions. Life shouldn’t be so hard. I want people to have better opportunities than I did. Let’s do it.
Contact city and county reporter Siena Duncan at sduncan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
