Timothy Alan Gorman
› Office sought: City Council, District 2 › PARTY: DEMOCRAT
› Previous public office experience: None › Why should voters choose you? To make Chattanooga a truly vibrant city with a sustainable economy, we must invest strategically in our people. That type of long-range commitment, like providing broad access to early childhood education, requires patience and courage, which are easier to have when you’re not seeking public office as a career.
› Biggest challenge facing the office you seek? This city faces challenges, particularly systemic poverty, that have a high socioeconomic cost and can’t be solved without strategic, long-term solutions. Without a mayor and fellow council members willing to consider this holistic approach, it will be hard for me to meaningfully address these problems.
› How will you address this challenge? We know that municipal programs designed to break generational poverty — like broad access to early childhood education and family counseling, and creation of policies shown to reduce incarceration rates — pay off economically in safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and a more employable workforce. I’m an engineer. I believe in data and best practices. So as a council member, my goal will be to show the mayor and my fellow council members that these programs aren’t just a moral investment, but a financially smart one.
› What policy position of yours might surprise people? I’m a big believer in investing in the infrastructure of a community, like pocket parks and walking/bike paths, which encourage people to gather, play and talk. These amenities don’t just enhance quality of life; they also strengthen neighborhoods. When neighbors know each other, they take care of each other.
› What past or current public servant do you most admire? I’ve always admired Jimmy Carter, because obviously he was not in elected office for his own benefit; he was in it to help people. Rather than going into consulting or an administrative role post presidency, he’s been boots on the ground for 40 years, helping ordinary people have better lives.
› Campaign office address: 400 Tremont St., Chattanooga, TN 37405 › Campaign office phone: 423-280-6543 › Campaign office email: campaignteam@votegorman.com › Campaign office website: VoteGorman.com › Campaign Facebook: Facebook.com/votetimgorman › Campaign Twitter: n/a › Campaign Instagram: @votetimgorman › Phone: 423-870-7844 › Age on Election Day: 60 › Occupation: director of engineering and technical operations › Employer: Beiersdorf › Education: BS, chemical engineering, UT Knoxville › Family: Wife: Allison; daughters: Casey Ireland, Meg Gorman, Anna Gorman › Neighborhood of residence: North Chattanooga › Civic involvement: Former: North River YMCA, St. Jude Parish Council, Junior Achievement; Current: voter registration › Quote or saying I live by: Actions speak louder than words.