{"county":"hamilton","description":null,"district":"4","districtgroup":"county_commission","id":599,"key":"county_commission_district_4","lastchangeby":null,"name":"Warren Mackey","next_election":null,"notes":null,"officegroup":null,"partisan":0,"party":null,"qualities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, intergovernmental \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law and the Shelby County Charter.\n- Budget literacy: the 13-member commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes bond issues that span decades.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; chairing or sitting on committees that pre-screen items.\n- Constituent relations in a single-member district of roughly 70,000 residents \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required seven hours of annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","quantity":1,"source":null,"state":"TN","term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01","term_years":4,"terms":[{"current":1,"description":null,"electiondate":"2022-08-04","name":"Warren Mackey","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nWarren Mackey, D-Bluff View, has represented Hamilton County Commission District 4 - covering downtown Chattanooga and the surrounding Fort Wood, Orchard Knob, Highland Park, Ridgedale and Avondale neighborhoods - since his election in 2010 [1][2]. He won the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary, defeating challenger Elea Wright by 141 votes, the closest margin of the five contested Hamilton County Commission primary races that day [1]. Mackey faces no Republican or independent challenger and will be unopposed in the August 6, 2026 general election [3].\n\n## Background and education\nMackey, 76, is a lifelong Chattanooga resident who lives near the Bluff View Art District [2]. He holds a bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University and a doctorate in history from Middle Tennessee State University [2].\n\n## Career\nBefore his election to the commission, Mackey spent more than 30 years as a history professor at Chattanooga State Community College [2].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\nOn the commission, Mackey serves on the Finance and Budget Committee and the Rules and Legislative Committee, and as an alternate on the Public Works and Zoning Committee and the Delinquent Tax Property Committee [2].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\nIn July 2024, the Tennessee Comptroller's Office reported that Mackey had received at least $27,382 in \"questionable reimbursements\" from his county discretionary spending allowance [4]. The comptroller's findings included $15,500 to rent an additional office space that had no active electric service and appeared unused, more than $1,000 for two leather office chairs, nearly $1,400 for cellphone accessories, nearly $1,350 for 48 storage totes the comptroller's office could not locate, $5,971 in restaurant charges, and lodging expenses exceeding allowable amounts [4][5]. The state audit separately found the full county commission \"failed to provide adequate oversight\" of commissioners' discretionary spending allowances [4]. The District Attorneys General Conference declined to pursue criminal charges in April 2024 [6].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Voters return Geter to Hamilton County Commission, as incumbents otherwise win contested primaries - Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/may/05/voters-return-geter-to-hamilton-county-commission/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[2] [Hamilton County Commission: Incumbent Warren Mackey says district is experiencing 'real and meaningful growth' - Chattanooga Times Free Press](http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/apr/09/hamilton-county-commission-incumbent-warren/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[3] [Who's on the ballot? Hamilton County Commission to see six contested races in August - Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2026/jun/27/whos-on-the-ballot-hamilton-county-commission-to/) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[4] [State Comptroller Says County Commissioner Mackey Received $27,382 In \"Questionable Reimbursements\" - Chattanoogan.com](https://www.chattanoogan.com/2024/7/8/489374/State-Comptroller-Says-County.aspx) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[5] [State investigation finds Hamilton County commissioner made 'questionable' reimbursements - NewsChannel 9](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/state-investigation-finds-hamilton-county-commissioner-made-questionable-reimbursements) - accessed 2026-07-06\n[6] [D.A. won't charge Hamilton County commissioner despite 'questionable' reimbursements - NewsChannel 9](https://newschannel9.com/news/local/da-wont-charge-hamilton-county-commissioner-despite-questionable-reimbursements) - accessed 2026-07-06","firstname":"Warren","lastname":"Mackey","token":"py3EpdSfcv"},"term_end":"2026-09-01","term_start":"2022-09-01"}],"title":"County Commission District 4","type":"legislative","url":null,"whenchanged":"2026-04-26 19:41:41"}