Demetrus Coonrod, franchise owner of JanPro and vice chairwoman 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. 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.
The Chattanooga native said she stands by a personal commitment to serve, citing her role as president of the Eastdale Neighborhood Association and as a board member of Sportsbarn, the 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 in a news release. "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 the Wilcox Tunnel and accessible transportation to Amazon and Volkswagen. She said she has called for the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons and pushed for leadership to support "Ban the Box" initiatives.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @pleach_tfp.