All Members Of Local Legislative Delegation Facing Opposition; Democrats To Challenge In Every Race

Thursday, April 5, 2018

All members of the local legislative delegation are facing opposition this election season.

HCDP Chair Khristy Wilkinson said, "The Hamilton County Democratic Party has successfully secured a qualified candidate for each of the state legislative races on the ballot this year, challenging several incumbent Republicans who have not seen opposition in recent elections.

“This is about accountability.

Our Republican elected representatives in the General Assembly have been holding wages low, keeping Tennesseans from accessing the healthcare they need, and chronically under funding our schools for too long. It’s our duty to challenge their incumbency for the good of the people.”

There are two Democrats in the race for House District 26, local entrepreneur David Jones, and legislative advocate Jean-Marie Lawrence. They face off in the August primary. Rep. Gerald McCormick is unopposed in the Republican primary for House District 26.

There will be a Democratic primary for House District 27 between retired pediatrician Dr. Brent Morris of Signal Mountain and Danielle Johnson, an IT engineer from Chattanooga. Rep. Patsy Hazlewood of Signal Mountain is the incumbent.

House District 28 is a hotly contested five-way primary between local entrepreneurs Dennis Clark and Brandon Woodruff, former Chattanooga City Councilman Yusuf Hakeem, 2016 Democratic Congressional Candidate and attorney, Melody Shekari, and Jackie Anderson-Thomas, social worker and community advocate. Lemon Williams is running as a Republican for the seat long held by Rep. JoAnne Favors, who is retiring.

The Democratic challenger to Rep. Mike Carter in House District 29 is a Cleveland Middle School science teacher Tammy Magourik, of Ooltewah.

The Democratic candidate in House District 30 is East Ridge native Joda Thongnopnua, executive director of Metro Ideas Project, a local public policy think tank. Republican candidates are Esther Helton and Jonathan Mason. J. Michael Holloway is running as an Independent. Rep. Marc Gravitt is running for Register of Deeds while stepping down from the Legislature.

Longtime radio personality Randy Price is running for the State Senate District 11 seat held by Senator Bo Watson. Mr. Price is a lifelong Democrat and resident of Big Ridge.

“A lot of hard work has gone into growing our organization over the last year and we are looking forward to a competitive election cycle,” Ms. Wilkinson said.

She said the Democrats also have qualified candidates for rarely contested county offices in the May and August elections.

House District 26

David Jones D

Jean-Marie Lawrence D

Rep. Gerald McCormick R

House District 27

Rep. Patsy Hazelwood R

Danielle Johnson D

Brent Morris D

House District 28

Jackie Anderson Thomas D

Dennis Clark D