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.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-area primary election results)
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.
Moving forward, she said she plans to go out and continue to listen to the concerns of District 4 residents, as well as learn from Robinson, who endorsed Anderson-Thomas.
"I'm just looking forward to all of that, of learning and listening," she said. "And I know I have to do a lot of that being new on the school board."
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 District 7, 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.
"I just want to express my gratitude to the citizens of District 7 for their vote of confidence," she said by phone. "We still have more work ahead, and I'm excited to represent their voices in the general election."
Ahead of the general election, she said she wants to continue to hear from parents, teachers and administrators in her district. She thanked Garcia for running a great campaign and said she was eager to collaborate with him to uphold conservative values and strong business practices in local schools.
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.
(READ MORE: Partisan election, redistricting, mean changes for Hamilton County school board)
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.
Contact Shannon Coan at scoan@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.