Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

East Ridge Mayor & City Council Election 2026

3 of 5

council seats up

2 contests

6 candidates

Updated Oct 5, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Mayor · Unopposed

Brian WilliamsIncumbentMayor; term ends December 20266sourced

City Council · Vote for up to 2

Robert (Bob) GilreathListed on the Hamilton County Election Commission sample ballot for East Ridge City Council.1sourced
James L. C. MeyersFounder of the East Ridge real estate brokerage Block City Homes and an East Ridge Housing Commissioner. He is chair of the Greater Chattanooga Realtors Governmental Affairs Committee.3sourced
Caroline RossmanListed on the Hamilton County Election Commission sample ballot for East Ridge City Council.1sourced
Marty Von SchaafServes on the East Ridge Industrial Development Board, where he was recently elected Vice Chairman.3sourced
David TylerIncumbentVice Mayor; term ends December 20266sourced

Voters choose one mayor, who is unopposed, and up to two of five City Council candidates. Two council seats are not on this ballot.

3 notes on these statements

Mayor Brian Williams is unopposed for re-election. The Chattanoogan · Aug 20, 2026

Jacky Cagle's term ends in 2026 and he is not on the ballot. The Chattanoogan · Aug 20, 2026

Voters will also decide a charter amendment on council and mayor benefits. Hamilton County Election Commission

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

Jeff EzellCouncilmember; term ends December 20286sourced Andrea WittCouncilmember; term ends December 20286sourced

Start here

Match quiz3 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesCouncil pay and benefits, Short-term rentals and food trucks, Rezoning requests Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Voter registration deadline

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Council pay and benefits

Where it standsA charter amendment on the November ballot would require the Mayor and Councilmembers to pay all costs of any city benefits they elect to use.

What's on the tableVoters decide the amendment; the next council serves under whichever rule results.

The ballot question asks voters to amend Section 5-A of the City Charter so all costs of city benefit programs used by the Mayor or a Councilmember are theirs alone. Hamilton County Election Commission
The ballot question carries a certification from the city finance director that the amendment will have no fiscal impact on the city. Hamilton County Election Commission
The City Attorney said that, if passed, the change would take effect beginning the term immediately following the election and apply to all members of the Council. East Ridge City Council minutes, Mar. 12, 2026 (in March 2026 minutes file) · Mar 12, 2026
The Council voted 5-0 on second reading to submit the charter amendment to a referendum (Ordinance 1248, June 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026

Short-term rentals and food trucks

Where it standsThe council has decided individual short-term rental and food truck applications by split votes this year.

What's on the tableHow the council treats neighbor objections and applications under the city's rental and mobile food vending rules.

The Council approved a short-term vacation rental certificate for 188 John Arnold Avenue 3-2 after an earlier denial was rescinded because no public hearing had been held. East Ridge City Council minutes, Apr. 9, 2026 · Apr 9, 2026
The Council approved on first reading a new chapter of city code regulating mobile food vending businesses (Ordinance 1245, 5-0, May 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026
The Council denied a food truck overlay district at 5521 Ringgold Road 3-2 (Resolution 3841, August 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, Aug. 13, 2026 · Aug 13, 2026

Rezoning requests

Where it standsThe council has split on several rezonings in 2026 while approving others unanimously.

What's on the tableWhich rezoning requests to approve, including those with neighbor objections.

The Council approved rezoning 1408 San Hsi Drive from general commercial to residential duplex 3-2 (Ordinance 1239, March 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, Mar. 12, 2026 (in March 2026 minutes file) · Mar 12, 2026
The Council voted 3-2 to deny a rezoning of 1502 Swope Drive from residential duplex to general commercial (Ordinance 1244, May 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, May 14, 2026 · May 14, 2026
The Council approved 5-0 a rezoning at 529 Frawley Road that reduced the planned number of lots from 108 to 77 (Ordinance 1251, July 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026

Sports facilities at Camp Jordan

Where it standsThe city and Hamilton County have created a joint Sports Authority to evaluate an indoor sports facility at Camp Jordan.

What's on the tableWhether and how the city participates in planning or funding future sports facilities.

The Council voted 5-0 to create the Sports Authority of the County of Hamilton and the City of East Ridge and appoint its directors (Resolution 3840, August 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, Aug. 13, 2026 · Aug 13, 2026
The authority would have nine members: four appointed by East Ridge, four by Hamilton County and one joint appointment. East Ridge City Council minutes, Aug. 13, 2026 · Aug 13, 2026
Mayor Williams said the resolution would establish the authority and appoint members but would not commit the city to any funding obligations at this time. East Ridge City Council minutes, July 23, 2026 · Jul 23, 2026

City budget

Where it standsThe council advanced the fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations ordinance on first reading in June 2026.

What's on the tableAnnual appropriations and capital spending for the city.

The Council approved on first reading the appropriations ordinance for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 (Ordinance 1250, 5-0, June 2026). East Ridge City Council minutes, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026
The City Manager reported one item added to the Capital Improvement Plan, an upgrade to the city's website, since the May 28, 2026 budget presentation. East Ridge City Council minutes, June 11, 2026 · Jun 11, 2026

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. How should the council treat a short-term rental application that meets city requirements but draws a neighbor objection?
2. How should the council treat applications for food truck sites on commercial property?
3. What role should the city play in sports tourism at Camp Jordan?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineHamilton County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsHamilton County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Early voting endsHamilton County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayHamilton County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

2 stay (not up this year): Jeff Ezell, Andrea Witt3 on this ballot

5 council seats. The council decides by a 3-vote majority.

The city is governed by a Mayor and four other Councilmembers. Hamilton County Election Commission
The Mayor and Councilmembers serve four-year terms, according to the county election commission's list of elected officials. Hamilton County Election Commission
Council meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. City of East Ridge

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