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Demetrus "Meechie" Coonrod
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Demetrus "Meechie" Coonrod is an Independent candidate for Tennessee House of Representatives District 28, having previously served as Chattanooga City Councilwoman for District 9 from 2018 to 2025 12. She challenged incumbent Rep. Yusuf Hakeem in the 2024 Democratic primary for this seat and lost 3.
Background and education
Coonrod has spoken publicly about a past felony conviction and time served in prison earlier in her life, which she has said shaped her advocacy for criminal-justice reform and second chances for justice-involved people 14. In 2024 she graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and a minor in criminal justice 4. She was among the first people in Tennessee to have her voting rights restored after a felony conviction 1.
Career
Coonrod owns a JanPro cleaning-franchise business and previously served as vice chairwoman, and later chairwoman, of the Hamilton County Democratic Party 5.
Office history
Coonrod served on the Chattanooga City Council representing District 9 from 2018 until her term ended in April 2025; she announced in November 2024 that she would not seek re-election 26. Her residency qualifications were challenged in 2024, and a Hamilton County Circuit Court judge dismissed the challenge in June 2024, finding she resided within her district 7.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
Tennessee — campaign finance (search)
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State offices (Governor, TN Senate, TN House, State Executive Committee, statewide judiciary) —
Tennessee Registry of Election Finance.
Click Search for Candidates and PACs, enter last name “Coonrod”, and submit.
US House, US Senate, and Presidential candidates file with the FEC — see the federal section below. - County and municipal offices (County Mayor, Commissioner, Sheriff, School Board, court clerks, municipal alderman, etc.) — most major TN counties use the EasyVote portal. Select the relevant county and search by candidate name (“Coonrod”).
Tennessee — statement of interest
- Required for state and local officials and candidates — Tennessee Ethics Commission Conflict of Interest Search. Enter last name “Coonrod”and, if needed, select the applicable position.