Anderson-Thomas wins District 4 school board seat
Voters in District 4 chose social worker Jackie Anderson-Thomas to serve as their next representative on the Hamilton County school board in Tuesday’s primary election, according to the final unofficial vote totals released by the Hamilton County Election Commission.
“I just really appreciate people getting out and voicing their opinion and choosing who they wanted to represent them for District 4,” Anderson-Thomas said by phone. “I’m excited about having the job and being an advocate for District 4, as well as the other youth we serve on the Hamilton County school board.”
Anderson-Thomas and activist Missy Crutchfield each sought the Democratic nomination in the race to replace school board member Tiffanie Robinson, independent of Chattanooga, who decided to not run for reelection after serving two terms. As no Republican or independent candidate submitted a qualifying candidate petition, the winner will most likely assume office in the fall.
With all precincts counted, Anderson-Thomas had received 956 votes; Crutchfield had 395. District 4 represents the downtown area.
Anderson-Thomas is the city of Chattanooga’s program director of Community Forward, which operates seven community schools in partnership with Hamilton County Schools. Her campaign focused on what she called the three R’s — refocus, repair and reclaim. Her vision emphasized ensuring existing policies and practices are working, improving infrastructure and prioritizing mental health supports, and providing services to students and their families.
Crutchfield’s campaign focused on promoting safe facilities and ensuring teachers are valued, as well as ensuring students have access to healthy meals by
including plant-based food options in school cafeterias.
DISTRICT 7
In attorney Jodi Schaffer won the Republican nomination in the school board race. She defeated retired business executive Ed Garcia, with 1,999 votes to his 1,725.
Schaffer will face independent David Sean Kelman during the Aug. 1 general election. District 7, which is currently represented by retiring school board member Joe Wingate, R-Chattanooga, includes the East Brainerd and Apison areas.
Both Garcia and Schaffer identify as conservative Republicans, and each of their campaign platforms addressed safety, community engagement and district funding.
Throughout the campaign, Schaffer highlighted her hometown ties and said her experience as a lawyer had prepared her to protect the constitutional rights of students and parents. Garcia emphasized that his retirement gave him the needed time to dedicate to the school board and said his skills from his career in business were transferable to the board’s policy work.
Candidates for the four other school board seats up for reelection were unopposed in their respective primaries Tuesday. Voters will have a say in the Districts 1, 2, 7, 10 and 11 school board elections in August.