Demetrus Coonrod, franchise owner of JanPro and vice chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party, has announced her candidacy for the City Council District 9 seat.
The district represents East Chattanooga, Eastdale, Glenwood, Missionary Ridge and Ridgedale.
Yusuf Hakeem currently holds the District 9 seat. Four candidates, including Coonrod, Hakeem, Pat Benson Jr. and John Kerns have qualified for the race and two others - J.T. McDaniel and Shelby Patton - have picked up qualifying papers.
"Together we can reset, restructure, and revitalize District 9," Coonrod said.
Coonrod, a Chattanooga native, said she stands by a personal commitment to serve, citing her role as the president of the Eastdale Neighbordhood Association and as a board member of The Sports Barn, Community Development Advisory Board and Causeway.
"I make a pledge to District 9 and surrounding communities to work hard for education, economic mobility, secure public safety and infrastructure," Coonrod said. "With your help we will improve District 9 so every community, every business and every family will be successful."
"Life has happened" in the district, but its concerns have not been heard, she said.
Coonrod said she has worked with the community seeking improvements to Wilcox Tunnel and accessible transportation to Amazon and Volkswagen. She said she has called for the restoration of voting right for convicted felons and pushed for leadership to support "Ban the Box" initiatives.