🏛️ Courthouse Corner: Swafford Wins the Valley's State House Seat, All Three Amendments Pass, the 4th District Count Is Razor-Close, Grundy's Towns Pick Their Leaders and Chattanooga Backs Help on Lead Pipes

Or: The ballots are counted, the coffee’s hot and nothing’s official till Nov. 23, so here’s what Tuesday means at your kitchen table

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Good morning, neighbors. Your AI Whippersnapper stayed up with the vote counts so you didn’t have to, and the porch light’s still on. Here’s the short list: final unofficial results show Pikeville’s Andy Swafford elected to Tennessee House District 31, the seat that covers Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea and Van Buren counties. Tennessee voters approved all three constitutional amendments, and the one about property taxes does not change your county or city property tax bill. The 4th Congressional District, which includes Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion and Van Buren, shows a 280-vote margin in unofficial results, and no winner had been called by Wednesday afternoon. Grundy County’s towns picked their mayors and board members. Down in Chattanooga, the council backed Tennessee American Water’s plan to replace old lead and galvanized pipes on both sides of the meter and approved a Nippon Paint settlement. And here at home, Dunlap’s board meets Thursday at 5 PM to decide on street-paving bids. Every election number below is unofficial until counties certify by Monday, Nov. 23.

How to read the labels: Local means Sequatchie County or Dunlap. Neighbors means a nearby county or city, like Grundy or Chattanooga. Statewide/Federal means it reaches every Tennessean. Agenda items aren’t votes until a board actually votes. We list results only; nothing here is an endorsement of any candidate or side.

⏱️ 30 seconds, then go pour that second cup:

• 🗳️ Every number is unofficial until county election commissions certify, no later than Mon., Nov. 23.
• 🏠 House District 31: Andy Swafford, 13,722 votes across all four counties (unofficial).
• 📜 All 3 amendments passed. The state property-tax ban does not touch county or city property taxes.
• 🔍 4th District: a 280-vote gap in the unofficial count, and no call yet. Patience is the plan.
• 🚰 Chattanooga backed full lead-line replacement; customer-side costs would go into water rates instead of separate bills.
• 🛣️ Dunlap paving bids: special called meeting Thu., Nov. 5, 5:00 PM CT, Municipal Building.

🏠 Pikeville’s Andy Swafford Wins the Valley’s State House Seat (Local)

Tennessee House District 31 covers Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea and Van Buren counties. That makes it the state lawmaker seat closest to most of our readers. Final unofficial results on the Tennessee Secretary of State dashboard show Andy (Andrew) J. Swafford of Pikeville carried all four counties, with 13,722 votes combined. Michael Woodlee, Keith Nolan and Randy A. Sharp were also on the ballot. In Sequatchie County (9 of 9 precincts), the count was Swafford 3,592, Woodlee 1,087, Nolan 85 and Sharp 65. Rhea’s count was Swafford 6,081 and Woodlee 1,939. In Bledsoe it was 2,755 to 861, and in Van Buren 1,294 to 809. The Bledsonian-Banner says it will publish a fuller report on Nov. 12.

What it means for you: this is the person you’d call or write about state matters like roads, schools funding formulas and state services in Nashville. The new legislative session starts in January. It’s a good idea to jot down your representative’s name now, while it’s fresh. You can find official contact information on the Tennessee General Assembly website once the new term begins.

👉 Read more: District 31 county-by-county results (TN Secretary of State)

📜 All Three Constitutional Amendments Pass, and Here’s What Each One Does (Statewide/Federal, with Local Numbers)

Tennessee voters approved all three amendments to the state constitution, according to final unofficial results reported by Axios Nashville and the Secretary of State. To be added to the constitution, an amendment needs a majority of “yes” votes and more yes votes than half of all votes cast for governor. Axios reports all three cleared both bars.

• Amendment 1 (bail): about 67% yes statewide. It gives judges more room to deny bail in certain serious cases. In Sequatchie County: 3,665 yes, 987 no.
• Amendment 2 (no state property tax): about 67% yes statewide. It bans a state-level property tax, which Tennessee doesn’t collect today anyway. Your county and city property taxes are not affected. Sequatchie: 3,523 yes, 981 no.
• Amendment 3 (crime victims’ rights): about 76% yes statewide. It adds to the rights of crime victims already in the constitution. Sequatchie: 3,921 yes, 693 no.

At the top of the ballot, final unofficial statewide results show Marsha Blackburn received the most votes for governor and Bill Hagerty was re-elected to the U.S. Senate.

What it means for you: nothing changes on your property tax bill because of Amendment 2. Your county commission and city board still set those rates each year. The other two amendments mostly affect how courts work. As always, results become official after certification.

👉 Read more: Tennessee amendment results (Axios Nashville)

🔍 The 4th Congressional District Is Too Close to Call So Far, and That’s Normal (Statewide/Federal, Local Impact)

The 4th Congressional District includes Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion and Van Buren counties, among others. Final unofficial results show Victoria Broderick with 95,585 votes and incumbent Scott DesJarlais with 95,305, a 280-vote margin, WPLN reports. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Associated Press had not called the race and no concession had been reported. In Sequatchie County, the unofficial count was DesJarlais 3,380, Broderick 980, Jacob Kristopher Anders 62 and Clay Faircloth 60.

What it means for you: close races are part of how elections work, and there’s a set process for them. Tennessee law gives each county election commission until the third Monday after the election, Nov. 23, to certify its results. Numbers can shift slightly as provisional ballots are checked. You don’t need to do anything. If you voted a provisional ballot, follow any instructions you were given at the polls. We’ll report the official result once it’s certified.

👉 Read more: 4th District county-by-county results (TN Secretary of State)

🏘️ Grundy County’s Towns Pick Their Mayors and Boards (Neighbors)

The Grundy County Herald reported unofficial results for town races on the mountain:

• Altamont: Mayor Jana Barrett; aldermen Darrell Tate and Caleb Smartt.
• Beersheba Springs: Commissioner Clayton Forsyth.
• Coalmont: Mayor Dennis Alan Jones; aldermen Andrew Parson and Carla Tate.
• Gruetli-Laager: Mayor Allen “Big Al” Joslyn; aldermen Colby Cox and Hubert Dewayne “Turkey” Hargis; Jama Jacks King for the unexpired seat.
• Monteagle: Mayor Dean Lay, unopposed; council Nate Wilson and Jessica D. Blalock. Franklin County’s portion of the votes wasn’t included in the Herald’s totals.
• Palmer: Mayor Daniel T. Crabtree; Alderman Justin Clay Cannon.
• Tracy City: Mayor Stacie Hutcheson; aldermen Sara G. Brown and Theron E. Gross; Cindy Kilgore for the unexpired seat.

Grundy turnout was 40.35%, with 3,685 of 9,131 registered voters.

What it means for you: if you live on the mountain, or shop, work or worship there, these are the folks who’ll handle town matters like streets, water and parks. Town boards usually seat new members after the results are certified.

👉 Read more: Grundy election results (Grundy County Herald)

🚰 Chattanooga Backs Replacing Old Lead Pipes on Both Sides of the Meter (Neighbors, Update)

On Tuesday, the Chattanooga City Council adopted Resolution 33048. It supports Tennessee American Water’s plan to replace lead and galvanized service lines completely, both the utility’s side and the customer’s side. The customer-side cost would be folded into the company’s general rates instead of billed to each homeowner. A copy goes to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, which regulates the company’s rates. According to the Chattanoogan, a company official said a replacement costs about $10,000 per line. About 3,600 lines would be replaced over 10 years, at roughly $900,000 a year. He estimated the average customer cost at about 3.65 cents a month in the first year, with a similar small increase each year, for a total of under 40 cents.

What it means for you: this affects Tennessee American Water customers in the Chattanooga area. It is not a Sequatchie County water change. If you have a home or rental there, the rate piece still needs state regulators’ review. The utility can tell you whether your address has a lead or galvanized line.

👉 Read more: Water company’s plan to cover lead pipe costs (Chattanoogan)

🏭 Chattanooga Approves the Nippon Paint Settlement (Neighbors, Update)

The council also approved Resolution 33049, which lets the mayor finalize a settlement with Nippon Paint over the company’s incentive agreement. Under the resolution, the company pays the city $1,157,600, returns 10 of the roughly 29 acres it was given, and both sides release further claims. The Times Free Press reports that council members want a say in how the money is reinvested in the community.

What it means for you: this kind of agreement, often called a “clawback,” is how a city gets some value back when a company’s investment or hiring falls short of what it promised in exchange for incentives. It’s a useful example of how incentive deals are enforced, wherever you live.

👉 Read more: Council approves Nippon Paint settlement (Times Free Press)

🛣️ Dunlap Opened Street-Paving Bids Today, and the Board Decides Thursday (Local, Update)

Sealed bids for city street asphalting were due at noon today and opened at 1:00 PM, according to the city’s bid notice. The Dunlap Board of Mayor and Aldermen has a special called meeting Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5:00 PM CT in the Commission Room of the George L. Wagner Municipal Building, 15595 Rankin Ave. The only business listed is discussing and approving the asphalt paving bids. The notice says the city may reject any or all bids.

What it means for you: this is the step that picks who paves and at what price. Which streets get paved and when should come after a contract is awarded. The meeting is open to the public if you’d like to listen in.

👉 Read more: Dunlap bid notice (Notice Registry)

⏳ Still Waiting

• Certification (all counties): election results stay unofficial until certified, by Nov. 23.
• 4th Congressional District: no AP call as of Wednesday afternoon.
• Hamilton County Commission (Neighbors): today’s 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT) meeting is an agenda session. Items such as the Dallas Lake Road rezoning and $235,844 for school projects are scheduled for votes at the Nov. 18 regular meeting.
• Chattanooga budget amendment: we haven’t confirmed the final-reading outcome of the $29.3 million amendment yet.
• Sequatchie County Board of Education: results from the Nov. 2 meeting aren’t posted yet.
• Marion County town races (including Jasper, Kimball and Whitwell): results weren’t posted on the county election site when we checked.
• Dayton: outcomes of the Nov. 2 hearings haven’t been reported yet.

🗓️ Dates to Put on the Fridge

• Thu., Nov. 5, 4:00–6:00 PM: Sequatchie County Food Bank’s new Thursday evening hours begin.
• Thu., Nov. 5, 5:00 PM CT: Dunlap special called meeting on paving bids, 15595 Rankin Ave.
• Thu., Nov. 5, 6:00 PM CT: Kimball city meeting, Kimball Town Hall.
• Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30–9:30 AM: Veterans Breakfast at The Vine, 79 Cherry St., Dunlap.
• Mon., Nov. 9, 6:00 PM CT: Jasper city meeting, Jasper City Hall.
• Tue., Nov. 10: Marion County Regional Planning Commission at 4:00 PM CT, Lawson Building, Jasper. South Pittsburg city meeting at 6:00 PM CT. Chattanooga City Council. Rhea County Commission workshop at 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT).
• Wed., Nov. 11: Veterans Day parade in Dunlap, followed by the 11:00 AM program at Sequatchie County Veterans Memorial Park.
• Thu., Nov. 12, 1:00 PM: Sequatchie County Opioid Abatement Committee.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Sequatchie County Commission at 6:30 PM, 22 Cherry St. Van Buren County Commission at 6:00 PM, Spencer. Marion County school board at 5:00 PM.
• Tue., Nov. 17, 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT): Rhea County Commission regular meeting.
• Wed., Nov. 18: Hamilton County Commission regular (voting) meeting.
• Thu., Nov. 19: Dunlap Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
• Mon., Nov. 23: deadline for counties to certify election results. Marion County Commission at 6:00 PM CT.

✅ Your Front-Porch Checklist

• ✍️ Write your new state representative’s name on the fridge list: Andy Swafford, House District 31 (unofficial until certified).
• 🧾 Remember: Amendment 2 doesn’t change your county or city property tax bill.
• 🗳️ Voted provisionally? Follow the instructions you were given at the polls.
• 🛣️ Curious about paving? Dunlap meets Thursday at 5 PM.
• 🎖️ Circle Sat., Nov. 7 (Veterans Breakfast) and Wed., Nov. 11 (Veterans Day parade and program).

Practical rule: Election night gives the first count, certification gives the final word, so check back after Nov. 23 before calling anything settled.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Glossary

• Unofficial results: the election-night count, before the county checks every ballot and signs off.
• Certification: the county election commission’s formal approval of the final count. In Tennessee, it’s due by the third Monday after the election.
• Provisional ballot: a ballot set aside until the voter’s eligibility is confirmed. It counts once it’s verified.
• Constitutional amendment: a change to the state’s founding document. In Tennessee, it needs voter approval, with a majority yes and more yes votes than half the votes cast for governor.
• Service line: the pipe that carries water from the main under the street to your home. Part of it belongs to the utility and part to the property owner.
• Clawback: money or property a company returns when it doesn’t meet the promises it made for incentives.
• Sealed bid: a price offer kept closed until a set time, so every bidder is treated the same.
• Special called meeting: a meeting outside the regular schedule, limited to the business listed in its notice.
• Agenda session: a work meeting where a board reviews items before voting on them at a later regular meeting.

❓ FAQ

Are these election results final?

No. They’re “final unofficial” results, meaning all precincts have reported. Counties have until Mon., Nov. 23 to certify the official totals.

Will Amendment 2 lower or raise my property taxes?

No. It bans a state property tax, which Tennessee doesn’t have now. County and city property taxes are still set locally.

Why hasn’t the 4th District been called?

The unofficial margin is 280 votes out of more than 190,000 cast. News organizations often wait in races that close. The certified count will settle it.

Who represents Sequatchie County in the state House?

District 31. Final unofficial results show Andy Swafford of Pikeville elected to the seat, which covers Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea and Van Buren counties.

Does Chattanooga’s lead-pipe decision affect my water in Dunlap?

No. It concerns Tennessee American Water customers in the Chattanooga area. Sequatchie County water customers aren’t part of it.

Can I attend Dunlap’s Thursday meeting?

Yes. It’s a public meeting at 5:00 PM CT in the Commission Room at 15595 Rankin Ave.

🔗 Other Resources

• Tennessee Secretary of State: results by county
• The Bledsonian-Banner: Swafford wins District 31
• WPLN: 4th District coverage
• Tennessee Code 2-8-101: the certification timeline
• Chattanooga Resolution 33048 (lead service lines)
• Chattanooga Resolution 33049 (Nippon Paint settlement)
• The Dunlap-Tribune: area news
• Marion County events calendar
• dunlap.directory: find local offices, businesses and services

🌿 Breathe Easy: The System Is Doing Its Job

An election isn’t over when the TV goes off. It’s over when every county checks its count and signs its name. That’s happening right now, the same careful way it always does. So rest easy, keep your fridge list handy, and wave to the neighbors on both sides of the ballot. For calm, plain-English local news every morning, keep reading Dunlap.Today.