Thessela White

Thessela White is a Democratic candidate running for the Hamilton County School Board, District 5 seat in Tennessee [7]. The district encompasses the Brainerd and Tyner areas of Chattanooga [7]. White, age 50, resides in North Brainerd and has lived in District 5 for ten years [7]. She works as an account representative at U.S. Xpress, a Chattanooga-based trucking company [7]. White is a graduate of Hixson High School and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Memphis [8]. She returned to Chattanooga to reinvest in the community that supported her education [8].

White announced her candidacy for the May 5, 2026, election, stating she wants to ensure every student has a champion who fights for their future [8]. In the Democratic primary, she faces Micah Chapman of Washington Hills [7]. The winner of this primary is expected to assume office in the fall, as no Republican or independent candidates have filed for the seat [7].

White’s campaign priorities include prioritizing student achievement through programs that prepare students for college and careers, supporting and retaining teachers by advocating for competitive compensation and work-life balance, and strengthening school-community partnerships with local organizations and businesses [7]. She identifies budget cuts and staffing as major challenges for Hamilton County Schools, proposing data-driven decision-making and responsible stewardship of resources to address them [7]. Regarding facilities, White plans to review current facility data to prioritize repairs based on urgency and funding, specifically citing roof repairs, drainage issues causing flooded parking lots, and pest concerns as essential problems to fix [7].

White cites her qualifications as including six years serving as the state chair for the NAACP ACT-SO program, where she helped students discover talents and build confidence [7]. She also serves as a mentor and ambassador for Big Brothers Big Sisters [7]. White participated in a panel hosted by the JFK Luncheon Club alongside other Democratic school board candidates to discuss teacher retention and community involvement [10].

Sources

• [1] Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [2] Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia
• [3] Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State
• [4] 2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee - Wikipedia
• [5] 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia
• [6] Tennessee Senate Race 2026 | Republican Candidates
• [7] School board: Thessela White hopes to support teachers, strengthen community partnerships | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [8] Thessela White Announces Run For Hamilton County School Board District 5 - Chattanoogan.com
• [9] Times Opinion: Thessela White is the right choice for school board in District 5 | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [10] Democratic candidates for Hamilton County school board talk teacher retention, community involvement | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [11] 15 candidates vying for five Hamilton County school board seats | Chattanooga Times Free Press
• [12] School board: Micah Chapman plans to focus on teacher support, trauma-informed schools | Chattanooga Times Free Press