2022 Hamilton County, Tennessee mayoral election

The 2022 Hamilton County mayoral election was held on August 4, 2022, to determine the next mayor of Hamilton County, Tennessee. Republican Candidate Weston Wamp, son of former U.S. Representative Zach Wamp, won with 57.9% of the vote, defeating Democratic nominee Matt Adams.^[1][2]

2022 Hamilton County mayoral election

← 2018 August 4, 2022 2026 →
Turnout	21.4% ^[3] 7.6 pp
Candidate Weston Wamp Matt Adams Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 28,199 20,512 Percentage 57.89% 42.11%
Precinct results Wamp:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Adams:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90% Tie:      50%
Mayor before election Jim Coppinger Republican Elected Mayor Weston Wamp Republican

Incumbent Republican Mayor Jim Coppinger, who was appointed county mayor in 2011, chose not to run for a fourth term.^[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Weston Wamp, businessman and son of former U.S. Representative Zach Wamp, and primary challenger to Chuck Fleischmann in 2012 and 2014^[5]

Eliminated in primary

• Matt Hullander, local business owner^[6]
• Sabrena D. Smedley, Hamilton County District 7 Commissioner and Hamilton County Commission Chair^[7]

Primary results

The Republican primary was held on May 3, 2022.

Unlike elections held within the city of Chattanooga, county elections use the plurality voting system, with no chance of a runoff. This was a very close primary, specifically between Wamp and Smedley, with Wamp securing the nomination by just 318 votes.

May 3, 2022 Republican primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Weston Wamp	14,428	35.44%
	Republican	Sabrena D. Smedley	14,110	34.66%
	Republican	Matt Hullander	12,171	29.90%
Total votes			40,709	100.00%

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Matt Adams, 25-year-old Army veteran^[9]

May 3, 2022 Democratic primary results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Matt Adams	5,876	100.00%
Total votes			5,876	100.00%

General election

August 4, 2022 general election results^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Weston Wamp	28,199	57.89%
	Democratic	Matt Adams	20,512	42.11%
Total votes			48,711	100.00%

See also

• 2022 Tennessee elections
• 2022 Knox County, Tennessee mayoral election
• 2022 Shelby County, Tennessee mayoral election
• 2021 Chattanooga, Tennessee mayoral election

References

1. "Weston Wamp Headed To County Mayor Post; Adams Offers His Congratulations". www.chattanoogan.com. August 5, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
2. "DECISION 2022: Weston Wamp wins race for Hamilton County Mayor". Local3News.com. August 5, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
3. "Low Hamilton County turnout, close race in District 11 illustrate importance of voting | Chattanooga Times Free Press". www.timesfreepress.com. August 5, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
4. A. O. L. Staff (October 20, 2021). "Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger announces he won't seek re-election". www.timesfreepress.com. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
5. WDEFAdmin (October 23, 2021). "Weston Wamp announces run for Hamilton County Mayor". WDEF. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
6. Trumbull, Tracey (November 12, 2021). "DECISION 2022: Matt Hullander joins race for Hamilton County mayor". Local3News.com. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
7. WTVC (December 8, 2021). "District 7 Commissioner Sabrena Smedley to run for Hamilton County Mayor". WTVC. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
8. "Election Commission for Hamilton County, TN > Election Archives > 2022". elect.hamiltontn.gov. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
9. WTVC (February 21, 2022). "Democrat Matt Adams enters Hamilton County mayoral race among crowded GOP field". WTVCFOX. Retrieved January 17, 2024.