Commission Sets 5th District Recall Election, Lead Petitioner Running

The Metro Election Commission has set a recall vote for Councilmember Pam Murray. It’s the first such election in Metro’s 46-year history. And the lead petitioner, who collected more than a thousand signatures to force the recall, now says he’s running.

Council lady Murray showed up to Friday morning’s meeting with attorney Mark Baugh to challenge the petitions. They say some of the signatures might have been collected before filing a formal notice with the city. The Election Commission ignored the concerns for lack of evidence.

Pam Murray’s name will automatically appear on the ballot. 35-year-old attorney Jamie Hollin, who spearheaded the recall, threw his hat in the ring as well, saying he’d be more attentive than Murray has been.

“This whole thing has been driven by performance in representing her constituents.”

Hollin and his petitioners complain Murray doesn’t answer phone calls or emails. For her part, she’s said she will defend her seat.

The 5th District special election is set for November 12th. The deadline for candidates to file is October 1st.

Election administrator Ray Barrett says the special vote will cost the city between $12,000 and $15,000.