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Mr. Murphy said he felt good about his victory.

“The win was fairly decisive, and I think that says a lot about the views of a lot of people in the 9th District wanting to move forward with a lot of things and move forward quickly,” Mr. Murphy said.

Mr. Murphy will take the place of Councilwoman Debbie Gaines, who did not run for re-election.

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CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) — Two political newcomers unseated incumbents in Tuesday’s Chattanooga City Council runoff elections. Another newcomer wins a third seat, in which an incumbent did not seek another term. The results, combined with those of the March 3 primary, will lead to a majority turnover on the City Council, for the first time since the Council form of government was established in 1990. Five of the nine members sworn in next week will be newly elected on the Council.

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The District 9 race had a closer result.  Attorney Peter Murphy won over businessman J.T. McDaniel.  Murphy got 59% percent of the vote to McDaniel’s 41%.  Murphy will be the first white Council members in District 9.  All previous Council members from that district are African-American.  He succeeds Deborah Gaines, who opted not to run for another term.

Turnout was predictably low. Only 14% of the registered voters cast their ballots.  Several leaders have called for a review of the election process, saying the city’s stand-alone election, traditionally in March and April after a presidential election, prevents healthy voter turnout.  Any move of the election dates would require a change in the city charter.

The three newly-elected Council members will be sworn in Monday April 20.  Among others who will be sworn in are Mayor Ron Littlefield, District 2 member Sally Robinson, District 3 member Pam Ladd (first term), District 4 member Jack Benson, District 5 member Russell Gilbert (first term), District 6 member Dr. Carol Berz, and District 7 member Manny Rico.

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