Controversy over signs in Hamilton County school board race

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – As early voting begins across Hamilton County, there is some controversy over one school board race.

Democratic incumbent member Jill Black is facing off against Republican challenger Sherrie Guinn Ford for the District 11 seat.

That seat covers portions of southern Chattanooga including Lookout Valley, Saint Elmo and East Lake.

As voters begin to head to the polls, a sign that was placed near Ford’s campaign signs sparked controversy, and confusion from Democrats.

“I can assure everyone unequivocally that the Jill Black campaign or the Democrats had anything to do with these signs,” Campbell said. 

The sign in question said, “Sherrie wants guns in schools”.

Earlier this year, the Tennessee Legislature approved legislation that would allow school districts to decide if teachers were allowed to have guns in schools.

Hamilton County School Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson decided against doing so, citing that every school already has a school resource officer.

Ford took to social media in response to the signs, saying that she has never supported having guns in schools, alluding to the decision by Dr. Robertson.

She went on to accuse opponents of planting the signs, saying, “It’s clear now that my opponent and her supporters are desperate and will use outright lies and propaganda to win an election.” 

She also claims the signs were illegal.

However, Jill Black and Democrats say it was not them who planted these signs.

Campbell said, “I can assure everyone unequivocally that the Jill Black campaign or the Democrats had anything to do with these signs… There would have to be disclosures on the bottom in order to avoid campaign finance laws, we’re not interested in doing that. I know Jill Black personally and professionally and there is no one more ethical than her. I know her heart, know her character, and she would never do something like that, and frankly she doesn’t need to.”

We drove around on Friday in District 11 to try to find one of these signs attacking Sherrie Ford. Here’s an example of one of her signs here along Cummings Highway. Just like this sign across the district, whatever signs were placed throughout the week, were taken back up.

Campbell said, “She had an opportunity just last night to set the record straight in what her position was by attending the Net Resource Foundation’s forum, and she didn’t attend. Jill Black did, but she didn’t. She did not show up.”

We did attempt numerous times Friday to reach out to the Ford campaign and the Hamilton County Republican Party for further comment on this story, and to respond to the denial from their opponents that they planted these signs.

We did not hear back from Ford or the HCGOP.