Tennessee: First openly gay councilman in the state facing recall threats over domestic partner benefit law

Chattanooga City Councilman Chris Anderson is facing recall threats over the council's support for a domestic partner benefit law, though there is discussion in the article that Anderson is specifically being targeted due to his position as the first openly gay councilman in Tennessee. Petitioners claim they need 1,800 signatures in 75 days.

Note that a domestic partner benefit law sparked a very controversial recall attempt in El Paso, Texas that was thrown out by an appellate court.

Here's a little bit on Chattanooga recall law, which we discussed heavily in 2012.

If the election commission approves the wording on the petition, this would become the first attempt to recall an elected Chattanooga official since the City Charter was changed in November 2012. 

Residents voted then to make recall rules match state standards, which require signatures from 15 percent of the city's registered voters. The change came after a failed two-year battle to recall former Mayor Ron Littlefield.