Less than one week after launching his re-election campaign for Hamilton County Mayor, Jim Coppinger announced on Tuesday he has filed the campaign’s fourth quarter financial disclosure report based on a record-breaking fundraiser that raised more than $200,000, leaving the campaign with a cash-on-hand balance of $226,168.29.
“Nina and I are truly humbled and honored with the support from all corners of Hamilton County,” said County Mayor Coppinger. “As your mayor, I’ve heard voters call for good jobs, good schools and great communities. My focus will remain on the need to prepare our students for success and workforce development – priorities that work hand-in-hand in driving job creation and economic growth in our community.”
His campaign said, "Mayor Coppinger’s leadership as Hamilton County mayor is highlighted by a record of success. During his tenure which began in 2011, more than 14,628 jobs have been created with an infusion of $2.2 billion in economic investment in our community based on the expansion of 98 companies and 47 new businesses launching or re-locating in Hamilton County. Governed by a conservative fiscal approach, Hamilton County has achieved and maintain its Triple A credit rating, the highest possible rating for government entities."
County Mayor Coppinger said, “Our campaign is off to a strong start with a simple message: Hamilton County continues to offer value to our residents by creating the best place to live, work, play and retire while being good stewards of your money for our community’s priorities.”
Hamilton County continues to see steady growth with more than 22,000 new residents moving to the area since 2010 and a projected 10,038 new homes to be built by 2022. To help prepare for this growth, Mayor Coppinger has allocated $248 million for school construction projects and increased local school funding by $33.7 million since 2011. In addition, $45 million has been allocated to build a new wastewater treatment plant to support the expected construction and residential expansion in the northern part of Hamilton County.
“I look forward to having a series of ‘meet and greet’ events leading up to Election Day where I can visit with voters and hear their concerns and ideas,” County Mayor Coppinger said. “The success of our community comes through working together and solving problems, and I am honored to be a part of that work.”
Mayor Coppinger served as a City of Chattanooga firefighter for 28 years and was appointed to the leadership post as fire chief in 1997 before retiring in 2005. He was first elected as Hamilton County commissioner for District 3 – which includes Hixson, Middle Valley and Lakesite – and served from 2006 through 2011 before being appointed county mayor in January 2011. Completing his first full term as mayor in 2014, Mayor Coppinger handily won re-election with almost 82% of votes cast in August 2014.
He is married to Nina Coppinger, both of Hixson, and is locally educated at Hixson High School, Chattanooga State Community College and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
The Republican primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 1, and the General County Election is set for Thursday, Aug. 2.