2023 Nashville mayoral election
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] 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]
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] 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] 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.
Candidates
Advanced to runoff
Eliminated in first round
Withdrew after the filing deadline
Withdrew before the filing deadline
Gilbert Ramirez, business owner and former police officer[ 14] (running for Metro Council at-large) [ 21]
Lorenzo Short, Jr. real estate broker[ 14] [ 22]
Disqualified
William Domann, musician[ 23]
Zerit Teklay, author[ 23]
Declined
Megan Barry , former mayor (2015–2018) (Party affiliation: Democratic )[ 24] Hal Cato, former nonprofit executive[ 25]
John Cooper , incumbent mayor (Party affiliation: Democratic )[ 26] David A. Fox, candidate for mayor in 2015 [ 27] (endorsed Rolli) [ 28]
Bob Freeman , state representative for the 56th district (2018–present) (Party affiliation: Democratic )[ 24] (endorsed Campbell) [ 29] Odessa Kelly, community activist and nominee for Tennessee's 7th congressional district in 2022 (Party affiliation: Democratic )[ 30]
Bob Mendes, metro councilmember [ 31] (endorsed O'Connell) [ 32]
Tara Scarlett, education nonprofit CEO[ 33]
Jim Shulman, vice mayor of Nashville (ran for re-election) [ 34]
Carol Swain , retired Vanderbilt University professor and candidate for mayor in 2018 and 2019 (Party affiliation: Republican )[ 35]
First round
First round endorsements
John Cooper (not running)
Heidi Campbell
State senators State representatives Local officials Organizations Labor unions Individuals Sharon Hurt
State legislators Local officials Freddie O'Connell
State legislators 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 Organizations Labor unions Alice Rolli
Local officials Organizations Individuals Vivian Wilhoite
State officials Local officials Organizations Labor unions Matt Wiltshire
State legislators 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 Organizations Jeff Yarbro
U.S. Representatives State legislators Metro councilmembers Larry Hagar, District 11 (2015–present)[ 29] Organizations Labor unions
First round polling
Graph of polling for the first round as of August 2, 2023
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample
Marginof error
Fran
Heidi
Jim
Sharon
Freddie
Alice
Vivian
Matt
Jeff
Other/
VictoryPhones (R) [ a] 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) [ b] 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 [ c] July 5–6, 2023
502 (LV)
± 4.2%
–
7%
4%
3%
20%
13%
3%
15%
6%
30%
Public Policy Polling (D) [ d] June 2–4, 2023
400 (LV)
± 4.2%
–
8%
3%
7%
10%
4%
–
8%
9%
51% [ e]
VictoryPhones (R) [ a] 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%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample
Margin
Hal
John
Matt
Undecided
Impact Research [ f] April 6–11, 2022
500 (LV)
± 4.4%
38%
28%
13%
21%
First round results
2023 Nashville mayoral election results (first round)[ 44]
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
Runoff
Runoff endorsements
Endorsements in bold were made after the first round.
Freddie O'Connell
State senators State representatives 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)[ 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]
Matt Wiltshire , Former Nashville Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency chief strategy officer and 2023 Mayoral Candidate[ 46] Individuals Organizations Labor unions Alice Rolli
Local officials Organizations Individuals
Runoff polling
Poll source
Date(s)
Sample
Marginof error
Freddie
Alice
Other/
Show Me Victories (D)
August 11–16, 2023
430 (RV)
± 3.8%
58%
40%
2%
Runoff results
2023 Nashville mayoral election results (runoff)[ 52]
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
See also
Notes
^ a b Poll was conducted for Tennesseans for Student Success
^ Poll was conducted for TN Laborers PAC
^ Poll was conducted for Harpeth Strategies
^ Poll was conducted for NAIOP Nashville
^ "Not sure" with 45%; "Someone else" with 6%
^ This poll was conducted for Hal Cato
References
^ "Election Statistics | Nashville.gov" . www.nashville.gov . Retrieved February 20, 2024 .^ "Exclusive: Mayor Cooper signals re-election bid to influential group in private session" . April 15, 2022.^ 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 . ^ Rau, Nate (August 4, 2023). "O'Connell finishes first in Nashville mayor's race, will face Rolli in runoff" . Axios . Retrieved August 4, 2023 . ^ a b Rau, Nate (July 25, 2023). "Mayoral candidate Alice Rolli makes her case" . Axios . Retrieved August 4, 2023 . ^ Singer, Jeff (August 4, 2023). "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 8/4" . Daily Kos . Retrieved August 4, 2023 . ^ a b c d e f g h i Plazas, David (June 22, 2023). "Struggling to pick a Nashville mayoral candidate? This scorecard might help" . The Tennessean . Retrieved June 22, 2023 . ^ Stephenson, Cassandra (April 28, 2022). "Council member Freddie O'Connell announces 2023 bid for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved February 20, 2023 . ^ Elliott, Stephen (February 24, 2023). "Republican Strategist Alice Rolli Running for Mayor" . Nashville Scene . Retrieved February 25, 2023 . ^ a b Stephenson, Cassandra (February 20, 2023). "Natisha Brooks enters race for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved February 21, 2023 . ^ Wegner, Rachel (February 18, 2023). "Former Nashville school board member Fran Bush announces run for mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved February 20, 2023 . ^ a b c d e f g Stephenson, Cassandra (April 10, 2023). "Tennessee state Sen. Heidi Campbell announces campaign for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved June 22, 2023 . ^ Stephenson, Cassandra (December 5, 2022). "At-large Nashville Council member Sharon Hurt announces mayoral campaign" . The Tennessean . Retrieved February 1, 2023 . ^ a b c Abrams, Cynthia (April 18, 2023). "Nashville's mayoral race: Who's in? Who's out?" . WPLN-FM Nashville Public Radio. Retrieved April 24, 2023 . ^ "Donate to Vivan Wilhoite for Mayor" . ActBlue . Retrieved June 22, 2023 .^ a b Rau, Nate (May 2, 2023). "Vivian Wilhoite jumps into Nashville mayor's race" . Axios . Retrieved May 3, 2023 . ^ Stephenson, Cassandra (July 13, 2022). "Economic development and housing veteran Matt Wiltshire announces bid for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved April 24, 2023 . ^ Rau, Nate (February 17, 2023). "Scoop: Tennessee state Sen. Jeff Yarbro enters Nashville mayor's race" . Axios . Retrieved April 23, 2023 . ^ Fiscus, Kirsten (February 8, 2023). "Retired AllianceBernstein chief operating officer Jim Gingrich announces run for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved April 24, 2023 . ^ Elliott, Stephen (July 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich suspends mayoral campaign" . Nashville Post . Retrieved July 17, 2023 . ^ "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF) . Davidson County Election Commission . May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023 .^ "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF) . Davidson County Election Commission . May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023 .^ a b "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF) . Davidson County Election Commission . May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023 .^ a b "Potential Candidates Bow Out of Mayoral Race" . February 14, 2023.^ "Hal Cato declines to enter 2023 Nashville mayoral race" . The Tennessean ^ Stephenson, Cassandra; Fiscus, Kirsten (January 31, 2023). "Nashville Mayor John Cooper announces he won't seek second term" . The Tennessean. Retrieved January 31, 2023 . ^ 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 )^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac "Nashville mayoral race 2023: See who has endorsed the candidates" . The Tennessean . Retrieved June 28, 2023 .^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x 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 )^ "Who's running for Nashville mayor in 2023" .^ "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Elliott, Stephen (April 20, 2023). "Q&A: Bob Mendes on endorsing Freddie O'Connell for mayor" . Nashville Post . Retrieved June 7, 2023 . ^ 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 . ^ "Nashville's vice mayor wants everyone to be polite and work together. Is this political approach out of touch?" . September 30, 2022.^ 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 . ^ a b Tamburin, Adam; Rau, Nate (January 23, 2023). "Police and fire unions back Cooper for a second term" . Axios . Retrieved May 31, 2023 . ^ Plazas, David (May 24, 2023). "Meet Heidi Campbell, candidate for Nashville mayor" . The Tennessean . Retrieved May 31, 2023 . ^ a b c d e f g h Cavendish, Steve (June 27, 2023). "Police union backs Wiltshire for mayor" . Nashville Post . Retrieved June 27, 2023 . ^ "Mayoral Candidate Sharon Hurt Endorsed by Denver Mayor" . The Tennessee Tribune . June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023 .^ a b c d Elliott, Stephen (July 26, 2023). "Nashville officials endorse in mayor's race" . Nashville Post . Retrieved July 26, 2023 . ^ a b c d e f Wright, Addison (July 19, 2023). "2023 Nashville Election Endorsements" . Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 4, 2023 . ^ a b Housler, Kaitlin. "Davidson County GOP Endorses Alice Rolli in Nashville Mayoral Race" . Tennessee Star . Retrieved August 4, 2023 . ^ a b 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 . ^ "August 3, 2023 Election Results" . Nashville Election Commission. Retrieved August 4, 2023 .^ a b c d Cavendish, Steve (August 11, 2023). "O'Connell, Rolli Meet in First Forum" . Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 14, 2023 . ^ "Matt Wiltshire endorses Freddie O'Connell for Mayor" . August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023 – via YouTube.^ Daryani, Connor (August 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich Endorses O'Connell" . Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 17, 2023 . ^ a b c Daryani, Connor (August 16, 2023). "O'Connell Picks Up Pair of Endorsements" . Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 17, 2023 . ^ "Tennessee Democratic Party" . X . Retrieved August 28, 2023 .^ "IATSE Local 46" . Twitter . Retrieved August 21, 2023 .^ "Nashville mayoral election: See who has endorsed O'Connell, Rolli" . The Tennessean . August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023 .^ "September 14, 2023 Election Results" . Retrieved September 14, 2023 .
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