Former Hamilton County Commissioner Katherlyn Geter is challenging incumbent Commissioner Greg Beck, D-North Brainerd, for the District 5 seat in the upcoming Democratic primary.
District 5 encompasses an eastern stretch of Chattanooga, including most of Brainerd and other neighborhoods like Woodmore, Washington Hills and Eastdale. All residents within the district live either in Chattanooga or the small city of Ridgeside. Beck is running for a fifth term.
Geter served as a commissioner for a similar area — before recent redistricting changed the boundaries — from 2018 to 2022, opting not to run for a second term at the time because of her partner’s health issues. She had defeated Beck during the 2018 election in the Democratic primary. Prior to that, Beck had held the seat for 12 years.
Geter, 52, who has lived in the district since middle school, was raised in Chattanooga. She has two sons. She lives north of Woodmore in the Talley Center neighborhood. She has a bachelor’s degree in human services management from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and works as a program director for the Enterprise Center.
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As of the end of March, Geter had about $1,000 on hand in campaign funds. She’s received $9,000 in donations since January, about a quarter from people donating less than $100 each.
Her largest donation, amounting to $1,000, came from Krissa Barclay, executive director of the Hamilton County Schools Foundation.
Other notable donations include $200 from Kathy Lennon, former vice chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party; $200 from school board member Jill Black, D-Chattanooga; and $500 from real estate developer Adam Kinsey, who revamped the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
She also received $50 from Chattanooga City Council member Jenni Berz of Brainerd Hills.
Early voting for the county primaries starts Wednesday, 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.
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Q: Why are you running for County Commission, and what are your qualifications?
A: I was asked to run again by many community members and leaders. In 2018, I became county commissioner of District 5, winning by 15 votes because the district wanted a change. I served in the seat during a very trying time for us all with the pandemic, and I understand what the job requires. That time was about building presence. This time is about building what’s next.
Not only will I listen and be available to the constituents of District 5 (and all of Hamilton County) as I did in my last term …. I will work toward building what’s next, pouring into our future generations through supporting education, fostering healthy neighborhoods and creating smart growth that keeps jobs in District 5.
Q: If elected, what would be your three biggest priorities?
A: Education: It’s the foundation of every strong community, and it’s about more than today’s report card, it’s about tomorrow’s leaders.
Health care: We deserve health care that addresses why ZIP codes like those in District 5 have different outcomes than other ZIP codes in our area. Mental health matters. Healing matters. Access matters.
Holistic neighborhoods: Building stability, safety and wellness. A home is not just a roof over someone’s head — it is the foundation for everything else, providing the stability, dignity and opportunity necessary for a family to succeed. We must create thriving communities where residents don’t just survive — but truly live and thrive, today and tomorrow.
Q: What do you think is the largest challenge facing your district, and what would you do about it if elected?
A: District 5 is a majority-minority district, and one that has needs other districts in Hamilton County don’t have. We have some of the least funded schools in Hamilton County, some of the lowest household incomes and a large majority of single female minority households. I will start by ensuring that those who live in District 5 see themselves in our Hamilton County leadership. With no women of color on the commission at the moment, it starts with representation. Once in office, I will continue the work from my last term: listening to, advocating for and being mindful of how every County Commission decision affects the residents of District 5.
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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: The city of Chattanooga does a great job of attracting industry to the area. Attracting industry to the area inevitably leads to growth. We need to be good stewards of growth to protect our communities, residents and local workforces. It’s all about balance. Change is inevitable, but how we manage that change to benefit all of Hamilton County is within our control as county commissioners. It also takes strong working relationships with our City Council, something I will continue to cultivate once back in office.
Q: Where would you increase county spending? Where would you cut it?
A: Our schools and educators deserve more funding. Many of the Hamilton County educators are having to work second jobs to make ends meet.
On cutting budget: We could start with improving one Regional Planning Agency, not asking the taxpayers of Hamilton County to pay for two planning agencies.
Q: What do you think is Hamilton County’s most pressing infrastructure need? How would you respond to that need?
A: Managing growth and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with that growth in sensible ways. We have to stop discussing and adding infrastructure retroactively, but proactively.
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Q: Do you think your district is growing too fast or too slow? Why?
A: District 5 is mainly within the boundaries of the city of Chattanooga, and there is very little of the district that is not already developed. District 5 could grow in some ways by creating affordable housing and workforce housing and ensuring jobs stay in the district.
Q: Anything else you’d like voters to know?
A: It would be an honor to serve this community once again as your county commissioner.
Contact city and county reporter Siena Duncan at sduncan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
