Andy Berke faces three challengers for Chattanooga mayor's seat as early voting begins

A poll worker sets out "I Voted" stickers on the first day of early voting at the North River Civic Center on Oct. 19, 2016, in Chattanooga.
A poll worker sets out "I Voted" stickers on the first day of early voting at the North River Civic Center on Oct. 19, 2016, in Chattanooga.

Chattanooga residents can cast their vote for one of four mayoral candidates today, Feb. 15, when early voting starts for the March 7 city election.

Mayor Andy Berke seeks re-election to the seat and faces challenges from architectural consultant Chris Long, former three-time councilman David Crockett and Larry Grohn, the councilman for District 4.

Crime and gun violence have emerged as recurring hot topics. All of Berke's challengers have criticized his signature Violence Reduction Initiative, a program that offers gang members two choices: get out of the gang life and become productive members of society or face tough consequences. The program has failed to reduce shootings.

In 2016, the city witnessed 32 homicides, an increase over 30 in 2015 and 27 in 2014, according to Times Free Press records. Chattanooga experienced 132 shootings in 2016, a nearly 11 percent increase over the 119 shootings in 2015. Police records indicate that gang-related shootings rose from 63 in 2014 to 80 in 2015. In 2016, the number remained at 80.

While all the candidates have voiced support for the city's police department, they also have called for increased workforce development, educational opportunities and affordable housing as key means to combat crime at its roots.

Crockett envisions what he describes as the city's game-changing economic transformation, made possible through expanding its airport and embracing a high-speed rail connection to North Atlanta.

Long's platform focuses largely on Chattanooga's stormwater program, which operates under a federal consent decree. He has repeatedly kicked against the regulations, which he alleges have stifled development.

The overarching narrative of the Grohn campaign is a consistent challenge to the effectiveness and ethics of the Berke administration.

Berke has said he believes the city is moving in the right direction, citing the modernization of the police department, initiatives to boost early childhood learning and changes to affordable housing development.

Berke has the most money to spend. His campaign war chest held $414,490 as of Jan. 15, according to financial disclosures filed with the Hamilton County Election Commission on Jan. 31. The campaign has raised $248,250 since July, nearly doubling its balance of $274,855. So far, Berke has spent $108,615.

Grohn and Long, combined, raised less than $30,000 in the same period. Crockett's campaign financials are not available on the election website yet.

The Chattanooga mayor earns an annual salary of $158,650, according the city's human resources department.

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