Chris Anderson (politician) explained
Chris Anderson is an American politician and Democratic Party political activist. He was a member of the Chattanooga, Tennessee City Council for District 7, but was defeated in a run-off election on April 11, 2017.[1] He was the first openly LGBT individual to be elected to Chattanooga's City Council.[2] He also serves as a member of the Tennessee Democratic Party State Executive Committee.[3]
Political career
Anderson started his political career as a Democratic Party activist. He was elected in 2003 as the President of the Tennessee Young Democrats which also gave him a seat on the Tennessee Democratic Party State Executive Committee.[4] He was later elected in 2007 as the Executive Vice President of the Young Democrats of America nationally when that organization would be led for the first time by an openly gay President and Executive Vice President.[5] [6] He was elected to the Chattanooga City Council in 2013.[7]
Domestic Partnership Benefits Ordinance
Anderson proposed an equal domestic partnership benefits ordinance which the city council passed on November 12, 2013, in a 5–4 vote in favor of allowing domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples in the city of Chattanooga.[8] On November 19, 2013, the city council in a final vote, voted 5–3 in favor of allowing domestic partnership benefits.[9] Before the domestic partnership ordinance went into effect,[10] the Citizens for Government Accountability and Transparency, a local segment of the Tea Party, gathered enough signatures to put repeal of the ordinance to a popular vote in August 2014.[11] [12] The city council did not repeal the ordinance on its own, allowing the vote to proceed on August 7, the general election date for Hamilton County.[13]
On August 7, 2014, the voters of Chattanooga repealed Ordinance 12781 by a vote of 62.58% in favor and 37.42% against.[14]
2014 recall effort
Anderson was the subject of a controversial 2014 recall effort which failed.[15] Anderson filed a lawsuit to stop the recall accusing his opponents of bigotry because he felt the recall effort was part of a political backlash to his Domestic Partnership Ordinance.[16]
Notes and References
- Web site: Chris Anderson, District 7. City of Chattanooga.
- News: Putman. Yolanda. Chris Anderson embodies 30 years of progress: Chattanooga's first gay councilman sworn in today. 25 February 2015. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga Times Free Press. 15 April 2013.
- News: Daniels III. Frank. Tennessee Democrats seek someone with a magic touch. 25 February 2015. The Tennessean. The Tennessean. 28 November 2014.
- News: Barrett. Lindsay. Chris Anderson Named President Of Tennessee Young Democrats. 25 February 2015. The Chattanoogan. The Chattanoogan. 18 May 2013.
- News: Gay Democrats elected to lead Young Democrats of America. 25 February 2015. Out & About Nashville. Out & About Nashville. 29 July 2007.
- Web site: Past Officers Young Democrats of America. Young Democrats of America. 25 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150225110854/https://www.yda.org/node/550. 25 February 2015. dead.
- News: Chris Anderson captures District 7 seat, defeating incumbent Manny Rico. 25 February 2015. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga Times Free Press. 5 March 2013.
- News: City Council Passes Controversial Domestic Partners Ordinance. November 12, 2013 . chattanoogan.com.
- News: In final vote, Chattanooga City Council approves same sex benefits. November 19, 2013 . timesfreepress.com.
- News: City Ordinance Ready That Grants "Domestic Partners" Same Healthcare, Medical Benefits. November 1, 2013 . chattanoogan.com.
- News: Chattanooga Tea Party Hosting Forum on Domestic Partnership Ordinance. November 15, 2013. newschannel9.com. February 25, 2015. December 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232000/http://www.newschannel9.com/news/top-stories/stories/chattanooga-tea-party-hosting-forum-domestic-partnership-ordinance-7904.shtml. dead.
- News: Petitions block Chattanooga's new domestic partner benefits law. December 14, 2013 . timesfreepress.com.
- News: Chattanooga residents to vote on domestic partner benefits. January 8, 2014 . timesfreepress.com.
- http://elect.hamiltontn.gov/results/Results/index.html Ordinance 12781
- News: Smith. Joy Lukachick. Attempt to recall Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson fails. 25 February 2015. Times Free Press. Times Free Press. 7 May 2014.
- News: Lukachick Smith. Joy. Chattanooga Councilman Chris Anderson suing to stop recall effort. 25 February 2015. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Chattanooga Times Free Press. 19 February 2014.
