Many candidates for the city election in March filed campaign finance reports this week after being told by the election office the deadline was Wednesday. But Andy Berke, who is expected to have built by far the largest total, won't file until January.
Stacy Richardson, Berke campaign manager, said, "When we started the campaign we checked on those dates and found that it's not necessary to file until January."
Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, election administrator, said that's right. She said Sherri Sivley of her office earlier called the state election office and was told by an official there that city of Chattanooga candidates who have named treasurers need to file this week, though the election is not until next year.
"That was wrong information," Ms. Mullis-Morgan said.
She said Senator Berke called her this week after getting reports that others were filing. She said she missed his call and he then called the state election office. He was advised there that he was correct and that candidates do not have to file until January.
Ms. Mullis-Morgan said Senator Berke then reached her and said he will wait until then to file.
Candidates for the city races still have plenty of time to pick up petitions and get the required number of names so the full slate of candidates is not yet known.
The only official mayoral candidate thus far is Guy Satterfield, a former city employee.