2023_Nashville_mayoral_election

2023 Nashville mayoral election
Turnout	20.52% (first round) 0.44 pp; 23.02% (runoff) 2.50 pp
	First-round results by precinct ; O'Connell: 10–20% 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% 50–60%; Rolli: 20–30% 30–40% 40–50% >90%; Wiltshire: 10–20% 20–30% 30–40%; Hurt: 10–20% 20–30% 30–40%; Wilhoite: 10–20% 20–30%; Yarbro: 20–30% 60–70%; Tie; Runoff results by precinct; O'Connell: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Rolli: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%; No data
Mayor before election; John Cooper; Democratic	Elected Mayor ; Freddie O'Connell; Democratic

2023 Nashville mayoral election

American election in Tennessee

The 2023 Nashville mayoral election took place on August 3, 2023, to elect the next mayor of Nashville, Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic Mayor John Cooper did not seek re-election to a second term in office.^[2] A wide field of candidates ran to succeed Cooper, with Democratic metro councilmember Freddie O'Connell and Republican political consultant Alice Rolli advancing to the runoff because no candidate surpassed 50% of the vote. In the runoff election, Democratic candidate Freddie O'Connell was elected with 63.9% of the vote, defeating Republican Candidate Alice Rolli, becoming the 10th mayor of metro Nashville.^[3]

Quick Facts Turnout, Candidate ...

Freddie O'Connell was considered one of the more progressive figures in Nashville politics and is known for his vocal opposition to the use of public funds to build the Nissan Stadium.^[4] Alice Rolli is a businesswoman who has worked for numerous prominent Tennessee Republicans in the past, including governor Bill Haslam and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander.^[5]

Rolli was considered an underdog in the runoff due to her status as a Republican in a heavily Democratic city. In the 60 years since the city of Nashville was consolidated with Davidson County in 1963, it has never elected a Republican mayor.^[5] Democrat Joe Biden won the city with 64.5% of the vote in the 2020 presidential election.^[6]

All Nashville municipal elections are required to be non-partisan, but candidates can be affiliated with a political party.

First round

First round endorsements

John Cooper (not running)

Labor unions

International Association of Fire Fighters Local 140^[36]
Nashville Fraternal Order of Police^[36]

Heidi Campbell

State senators

Sara Kyle, state senator from the 30th district (2015–present)^[12]

State representatives

John Ray Clemmons, state representative from the 55th district (2015–present)^[12]
Bob Freeman, state representative from the 56th district (2019–present)^[12]
Gloria Johnson, state representative from the 90th district (2013–2015, 2019–present)^[37]
Bo Mitchell, state representative from the 50th district (2013–present)^[12]

Local officials

Cheryl Mayes, Metro Nashville School Board member from the 6th district (2022–present)^[12]

Organizations

Planned Parenthood (co-endorsement with O'Connell, Wilhoite, and Yarbro)^[38]
Sunrise Movement Nashville (co-endorsement with O'Connell)^[29]

Labor unions

Ironworkers Local 492^[28]

Individuals

Lucinda Williams, American singer-songwriter^[29]
Kesha, American singer-songwriter^[29]

Sharon Hurt

State legislators

Brenda Gilmore, former state senator from the 19th district (2019–2023)^[38]

Local officials

Erica Gilmore, Davidson County Trustee^[28]
Michael Hancock, outgoing mayor of Denver, Colorado (2011–2023)^[39]
Charlie Tygard, metro councilmember at-large (2007–2015) and for District 35 (2002–2007) (co-endorsement with O'Connell and Wiltshire)^[29]
Brenda Wynn, Davidson County Clerk^[38]

Freddie O'Connell

State legislators

Jason Powell, state representative from the 53rd district (2013–present)^[40]

Metro councilmembers

Erin Evans, District 12 (2019–present)^[32]
Jacob Kleinfelter, District 34 (1995–1999)^[29]
Kristine Lalonde, District 18, (2007–2011)^[29]
Bob Mendes, at-large (2015–present)^[32]
Sean Parker, District 5 (2019–present)^[32]
Dave Rosenberg, District 35 (2015–present)^[32]
Sandra Sepulveda, District 30 (2019–present)^[32]
Charlie Tygard, at-large (2007–2015) and District 35 (2002–2007) (co-endorsement with Hurt and Wiltshire)^[29]
Lynn Williams, District 34 (1999–2007)^[29]

Local officials

Jim Speering, former Metro Nashville School Board member from the 3rd district (2012–2020)^[28]

Organizations

Planned Parenthood (co-endorsement with Campbell, Wilhoite, and Yarbro)^[38]
Sunrise Movement Nashville (co-endorsement with Campbell)^[29]
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition^[29]

Labor unions

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 235 (co-endorsement with Wilhoite)^[29]

Alice Rolli

Local officials

David A. Fox, former Metro Nashville School Board chair and candidate for mayor in 2015^[28]
Pearl Sims, former Davidson County planning commission member^[28]

Organizations

Americans for Tax Reform^[41]
Community Leaders of America^[41]
Davidson County GOP^[42]

Individuals

Grover Norquist, political activist and founder of Americans for Tax Reform^[43]
J.C. Bowman, executive and CEO of Professional Educators of Tennessee^[41]
John D. Richardson, Tennessee Republican Party state executive

Vivian Wilhoite

State officials

Carol Solomon, former Twentieth Circuit Court Division VIII judge (1998–2014)^[28]

Local officials

Glenn Funk, Davidson County District Attorney General (2014–present)^[16]
Nick Leonardo, former Davidson County General Sessions Court Division III judge (2018) and metro councilmember from the 1st district (2016–2018)^[28]

Organizations

Planned Parenthood (co-endorsement with Campbell, O'Connell, and Yarbro)^[38]

Labor unions

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 235 (co-endorsement with O'Connell)^[29]

Matt Wiltshire

State legislators

Jason Potts, former state representative from the 59th district (2019–2023) and metro councilmember from the 30th district (2011–2019)^[28]

Metro councilmembers

George Armistead, at-large (1987–1999)^[28]
Phil Claiborne, District 15 (2007–2015)^[28]
Stewart Clifton, District 18 (1987–1999)^[28]
Jacobia Dowell, District 32 (2011–2019)^[28]
Jamie Isabell, District 2 (2003–2007)^[28]
Sean McGuire, District 25 (2007–2015)^[28]
Robert Nash, District 27 (2019–present)^[28]
Doug Pardue, District 10 (2011–2019)^[28]
Phil Ponder, District 12 (1995–2003)^[28]
Bill Pridemore, District 9 (2011–2019)^[28]
John Rutherford, District 31 (2019–present)^[28]
Carter Todd, District 34 (2007–2015)^[28]
Charlie Tygard, at-large (2007–2015) and District 35 (2002–2007)^[28] (co-endorsement with Hurt and O'Connell)^[29]
Nancy VanReece, District 8 (2015–present)^[28]
Chris Whitson, District 23 (2003–2005)^[28]

Local officials

Claudia Bonnyman, Davidson County Chancery Court judge^[29]
Daron Hall, former Davidson County Sheriff (2002–present)^[40]

Organizations

Nashville Fraternal Order of Police^[38]

Jeff Yarbro

U.S. Representatives

Jim Cooper, TN-05 (2003–2023), TN-04 (1983–1985)^[40]

State legislators

Raumesh Akbari, Minority Leader of the Tennessee Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)^[28]
Darren Jernigan, state representative from the 60th district (2013–present) and metro councilmember from the 11th district (2011–2015)^[29]

Metro councilmembers

Larry Hagar, District 11 (2015–present)^[29]

Organizations

Planned Parenthood (co-endorsement with Campbell, O'Connell, and Wilhoite)^[38]

Labor unions

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1995^[28]

Runoff

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This article uses material from the Wikipedia article 2023_Nashville_mayoral_election, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[studentsuccess-44] Poll was conducted for Tennesseans for Student Success

[45] Poll was conducted for TN Laborers PAC

[46] Poll was conducted for Harpeth Strategies

[47] Poll was conducted for NAIOP Nashville

[48] "Not sure" with 45%; "Someone else" with 6%

[49] This poll was conducted for Hal Cato

[1] [1]
"Election Statistics | Nashville.gov". www.nashville.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2024.

[signals22-2] [2]
"Exclusive: Mayor Cooper signals re-election bid to influential group in private session". April 15, 2022.

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West, Emily (September 14, 2023). "Freddie O'Connell to become Nashville's next mayor, elected with more than 64% of the vote". News Channel 5. Retrieved September 14, 2023.

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Rau, Nate (August 4, 2023). "O'Connell finishes first in Nashville mayor's race, will face Rolli in runoff". Axios. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[case22-5] [5]
Rau, Nate (July 25, 2023). "Mayoral candidate Alice Rolli makes her case". Axios. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

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[o'connell_announces-8] [8]
Stephenson, Cassandra (April 28, 2022). "Council member Freddie O'Connell announces 2023 bid for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 20, 2023.

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Elliott, Stephen (February 24, 2023). "Republican Strategist Alice Rolli Running for Mayor". Nashville Scene. Retrieved February 25, 2023.

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Wegner, Rachel (February 18, 2023). "Former Nashville school board member Fran Bush announces run for mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 20, 2023.

[heidi_campbell-12] [12]
Stephenson, Cassandra (April 10, 2023). "Tennessee state Sen. Heidi Campbell announces campaign for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

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Stephenson, Cassandra (December 5, 2022). "At-large Nashville Council member Sharon Hurt announces mayoral campaign". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

[:0-14] [14]
Abrams, Cynthia (April 18, 2023). "Nashville's mayoral race: Who's in? Who's out?". WPLN-FM Nashville Public Radio. Retrieved April 24, 2023.

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"Donate to Vivan Wilhoite for Mayor". ActBlue. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[wilhoite-16] [16]
Rau, Nate (May 2, 2023). "Vivian Wilhoite jumps into Nashville mayor's race". Axios. Retrieved May 3, 2023.

[17] [17]
Stephenson, Cassandra (July 13, 2022). "Economic development and housing veteran Matt Wiltshire announces bid for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 24, 2023.

[18] [18]
Rau, Nate (February 17, 2023). "Scoop: Tennessee state Sen. Jeff Yarbro enters Nashville mayor's race". Axios. Retrieved April 23, 2023.

[19] [19]
Fiscus, Kirsten (February 8, 2023). "Retired AllianceBernstein chief operating officer Jim Gingrich announces run for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 24, 2023.

[20] [20]
Elliott, Stephen (July 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich suspends mayoral campaign". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

[:2-21] [21]
"Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.

[22] [22]
"Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.

[:1-23] [23]
"Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.

[bow_out-24] [24]
"Potential Candidates Bow Out of Mayoral Race". February 14, 2023.

[25] [25]
"Hal Cato declines to enter 2023 Nashville mayoral race". The Tennessean.

[26] [26]
Stephenson, Cassandra; Fiscus, Kirsten (January 31, 2023). "Nashville Mayor John Cooper announces he won't seek second term". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 31, 2023.

[27] [27]
Banner, Steve Cavendish, Nashville (February 10, 2023). "Runoff for Nashville Mayor? Not So Fast". Nashville Scene. Retrieved February 18, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[endorse_june-28] [28]
"Nashville mayoral race 2023: See who has endorsed the candidates". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 28, 2023.

[nashbanner1-29] [29]
Daryani, Addison Wright, Connor (July 19, 2023). "2023 Nashville Election Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved July 21, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[axios_tracker-30] [30]
"Who's running for Nashville mayor in 2023".

[31] [31]
"Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 2/20". Daily Kos. February 20, 2023. Metro Councilmember Bob Mendes said Monday that he'd stay out of this August's nonpartisan primary for mayor.

[freddie_o'connell-32] [32]
Elliott, Stephen (April 20, 2023). "Q&A: Bob Mendes on endorsing Freddie O'Connell for mayor". Nashville Post. Retrieved June 7, 2023.

[33] [33]
Sichko, Adam (April 13, 2023). "Mayor's race update: Tara Scarlett opts against a campaign; at least 11 people are in the field". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved April 16, 2023.

[34] [34]
"Nashville's vice mayor wants everyone to be polite and work together. Is this political approach out of touch?". September 30, 2022.

[35] [35]
Swain, Carol (December 24, 2022). "You couldn't pay me enough to run for mayor of Nashville. The crime-ridden city is going to hell in a hand basket. My classroom is the world". Twitter. Retrieved February 1, 2023.

[police_and_fire-36] [36]
Tamburin, Adam; Rau, Nate (January 23, 2023). "Police and fire unions back Cooper for a second term". Axios. Retrieved May 31, 2023.

[37] [37]
Plazas, David (May 24, 2023). "Meet Heidi Campbell, candidate for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean. Retrieved May 31, 2023.

[police-38] [38]
Cavendish, Steve (June 27, 2023). "Police union backs Wiltshire for mayor". Nashville Post. Retrieved June 27, 2023.

[39] [39]
"Mayoral Candidate Sharon Hurt Endorsed by Denver Mayor". The Tennessee Tribune. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.

[endorse-23-7-26-40] [40]
Elliott, Stephen (July 26, 2023). "Nashville officials endorse in mayor's race". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 26, 2023.

[banner-41] [41]
Wright, Addison (July 19, 2023). "2023 Nashville Election Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[tennesseestar.com-42] [42]
Housler, Kaitlin. "Davidson County GOP Endorses Alice Rolli in Nashville Mayoral Race". Tennessee Star. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[newschannel5.com-43] [43]
Broderick, Kelly (July 27, 2023). "Here's a look at the major endorsements in the Nashville mayoral race". News Channel 5 Nashville. CBS. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[50] [44]
"August 3, 2023 Election Results". Nashville Election Commission. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[endorse-23-08-11-51] [45]
Cavendish, Steve (August 11, 2023). "O'Connell, Rolli Meet in First Forum". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 14, 2023.

[endorse-Wiltshire-52] [46]
"Matt Wiltshire endorses Freddie O'Connell for Mayor". August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023 – via YouTube.

[endorse-23-08-17-53] [47]
Daryani, Connor (August 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich Endorses O'Connell". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[endorse-23-08-16-54] [48]
Daryani, Connor (August 16, 2023). "O'Connell Picks Up Pair of Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 17, 2023.

[55] [49]
"Tennessee Democratic Party". X. Retrieved August 28, 2023.

[endorse-IATSE46-56] [50]
"IATSE Local 46". Twitter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.

[endorse-IAFF-57] [51]
"Nashville mayoral election: See who has endorsed O'Connell, Rolli". The Tennessean. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.

[58] [52]
"September 14, 2023 Election Results". Retrieved September 14, 2023.

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Candidate	Experience	Party Affiliation	Announced	Ref
Freddie O'Connell	Metro councilmember from the 19th district since 2015	Democratic^[7]	April 28, 2022 Website	^[8]
Alice Rolli	Former aide to governor Bill Haslam and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander	Republican^[7]	February 24, 2023 Website	^[9]

Candidate	Experience	Party Affiliation	Announced	Ref
Natisha Brooks	Educator Candidate for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in 2022	Republican^[10]	February 20, 2023 Website	^[10]
Fran Bush	Former member of the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board (2018–2022)	Independent^[7]	February 17, 2023 Website	^[11]
Heidi Campbell	State senator from the 20th district since 2021 Nominee for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in 2022	Democratic^[12]	April 5, 2023 Website	^[12]
Bernie Cox	Business owner Candidate for mayor in 2019	Republican^[7]	Website	^[7]
Sharon Hurt	At-Large metro councilmember since 2015	Democratic^[7]	December 5, 2022 Website	^[13]
Stephanie Johnson	Business owner	Independent	May 1, 2023 Website	^[14]
Vivian Wilhoite	Davidson County Property Assessor since 2016	Democratic^[15]	May 2, 2023 Website	^[16]
Matt Wiltshire	Former Nashville Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency chief strategy officer	Democratic^[7]	July 13, 2022 Website	^[17]
Jeff Yarbro	Former Minority Leader of the Tennessee Senate (2019–2023) State senator from the 21st district since 2015	Democratic^[7]	February 17, 2023 Website	^[18]

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Fran Bush	Heidi Campbell	Jim Gingrich	Sharon Hurt	Freddie O'Connell	Alice Rolli	Vivian Wilhoite	Matt Wiltshire	Jeff Yarbro	Other/ Undecided
VictoryPhones (R)^{[lower-alpha 1]}	July 25–27, 2023	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	0.8%	5.9%	–	3.6%	25.4%	18.8%	3.4%	14.6%	13.1%	14.5%
GBAO Strategies (D)^{[lower-alpha 2]}	July 17–19, 2023	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	–	8%	–	6%	21%	13%	4%	10%	12%	25%
	July 17	Gingrich withdraws from the race
Music City Research^{[lower-alpha 3]}	July 5–6, 2023	502 (LV)	± 4.2%	–	7%	4%	3%	20%	13%	3%	15%	6%	30%
Public Policy Polling (D)^{[lower-alpha 4]}	June 2–4, 2023	400 (LV)	± 4.2%	–	8%	3%	7%	10%	4%	–	8%	9%	51%^{[lower-alpha 5]}
VictoryPhones (R)^{[lower-alpha 1]}	May 2–4, 2023	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	2%	21.9%	4.2%	6.7%	15.6%	4%	3.2%	6.6%	17%	18.8%

Candidate	Votes	%
Freddie O'Connell	27,503	27.14
Alice Rolli	20,472	20.20
Matthew Wiltshire	17,193	16.97
Jeff Yarbro	12,356	12.19
Heidi Campbell	8,337	8.23
Sharon Hurt	6,104	6.02
Vivian Willhoite	4,758	4.70
Jim Gingrich	1,668	1.65
Natisha Brooks	1,458	1.44
Stephanie Johnson	581	0.57
Fran Bush	503	0.50
Bernie Cox	322	0.32
Write-in	80	0.07
Total votes	101,335	100.00

Candidate	Votes	%
Freddie O'Connell	72,989	63.85
Alice Rolli	41,205	36.04
Write-in	123	0.11
Total votes	114,317	100.00

2023_Nashville_mayoral_election

2023 Nashville mayoral election

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

Eliminated in first round

Withdrew after the filing deadline

Withdrew before the filing deadline

Disqualified

Declined

First round

First round endorsements

First round polling

First round results

Runoff

Runoff endorsements

Runoff polling

Runoff results

See also

Notes

References

External links

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