CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Former City Council member Deanna McLaughlin, who recently made a bid for state House representative, is stepping up to run write-in for the open Ward 2 City Council seat.

The seat became open when current City Councilperson Vondell Richmond was declared ineligible to run for re-election because of questions about his residency. With no opponents having qualified for the seat and early voting starting in just six weeks, there’s no time to replace him on the ballot.

McLaughlin said she was contacted by people who asked if she’d “consider giving it another four years” and run as an official write-in candidate.

“I was worn out after my bid for the state House and never thought that I’d run for City Council again,” McLaughlin told Clarksville Now. “But I really enjoyed my time on the council, and there were some things I wasn’t able to do the first time that I’d like to do.”

McLaughlin served three terms on the Clarksville City Council representing Ward 2. She was first elected in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010 and 2014.

“It wasn’t in the plan, but opportunities present themselves for a reason,” she said.

Ward 2 covers northwest Clarksville, bounded by Highway 374, Fort Campbell Boulevard and Dover Road.

About Deanna McLaughlin

McLaughlin said in a news release that during her time on the City Council, she fought consistently to reduce government spending, prevent tax increases and stop wasteful spending. She was also a constant advocate for transparency and asked tough questions to discover where and how taxpayer dollars were being spent, she said.

She held monthly town halls to address the needs and concerns of her constituents and routinely brought those concerns to the council.

McLaughlin said she successfully worked with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to bring road, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements to Fort Campbell Boulevard. In 2011 McLaughlin worked closely with law enforcement to draft and pass an ordinance that banned synthetic drugs. She said that ordinance inspired the state law banning the same substances.

She is the chairman of Clarksville-Montgomery County Crime Stoppers and has been the governor-appointed Tennessee commissioner to the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission since 2011. She helped spearhead a fundraising effort that raised much-needed funds in 2015 to repair vandalism at Stokes Little League Field.

Deanna and her husband David have a daughter, Kaitlan. In 2009, David retired from the Army, and they have called Montgomery County home ever since.

To vote write in during voting, select “Write In,” type DEANNA MCLAUGHLIN, and hit enter.

For more, email Deanna@DeannaMclaughlinTN.com