White files mayoral campaign paperwork

Former River City Co. President Kim White has filed paperwork to run for mayor of Chattanooga in 2021.

According to a document filed by White with the Hamilton County Election Commission, she has appointed Friends of the Festival Board President Mary Kilbride as the treasurer for a bid for mayor in 2021. While White has not yet formally announced her campaign, a spokesperson told the Times Free Press Tuesday that an announcement was coming soon.

“Mary Kilbride has impeccable credentials, and we are honored and grateful that she has agreed to serve as our treasurer,” spokesperson Albert Waterhouse said. “We will be making a further announcement in the very near future.”

White served as president of River City Co., an economic development nonprofit organization in downtown Chattanooga, for 11 years before stepping down in April. In her time as the longest-running president in River City’s history, White oversaw the birth of the One Riverfront waterfront plan, spearheaded the fight for a central downtown business improvement district and had her hands in many other projects to reshape Chattanooga’s downtown.

Since then, she has not announced new career plans, but has been the subject of speculation and polling about potential mayoral candidates to replace outgoing Mayor Andy Berke, whose second and final term ends next spring.

To date, White is one of four candidates to file paperwork with the election commission, along with local business consultant Monty Bruell, activist Christopher Dahl and business owner Tim Kelly. Councilman Russell Gilbert and Marine veteran Andrew McLaren have also publicly announced their candidacy for mayor.