2023 Nashville mayoral election

Last updated

2023 Nashville mayoral election
Flag of Nashville, Tennessee.png
←  2019 August 3, 2023 (first round)
September 14, 2023 (runoff)
Officially nonpartisan		2027 →
Turnout20.52% Decrease2.svg (first round) 0.44 pp
23.02% Increase2.svg (runoff) 2.50 pp [1]
  Freddie O'Connell, Mayor, Nashville-Davidson County (cropped).jpg Alice Rolli (cropped).jpg Matt Wiltshire (cropped).png
Candidate Freddie O'Connell Alice RolliMatt Wiltshire
Party Democratic Republican Democratic
First round27,503
27.14%		20,472
20.20%		17,193
16.97%
Runoff 72,989
63.85%		41,205
36.04%		Eliminated
  Jeff Yarbro 2023 (cropped).jpg Heidi Campbell (cropped).jpg Sharon Hurt (cropped).png
Candidate Jeff Yarbro Heidi Campbell Sharon Hurt
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
First round12,356
12.19%		8,337
8.23%		6,104
6.02%
Runoff EliminatedEliminatedEliminated
2023 Nashville mayoral election 1st round.svg
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
2023 Nashville mayoral election runoff.svg
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

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, O'Connell was elected with 63.9% of the vote, defeating Rolli and becoming the 10th mayor of metro Nashville. [3]

Contents

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] 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.

Candidates

Advanced to runoff

CandidateExperienceParty affiliationAnnouncedRef
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor, Nashville-Davidson County (cropped).jpg
Freddie O'Connell 		Metro councilmember from the 19th district since 2015 Democratic [7] April 28, 2022
Freddie for mayor logo.png
Website 		[8]
Alice Rolli (cropped).jpg
Alice Rolli		Former aide to governor Bill Haslam and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander Republican [7] February 24, 2023
ALICE ROLLI LOGO-CROPPED.webp
Website 		[9]

Eliminated in first round

CandidateExperienceParty affiliationAnnouncedRef
Natisha Brooks (cropped).png
Natisha Brooks		Educator
Candidate for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in 2022 		Republican [10] February 20, 2023
Natisha brooks mayoral logo.jpg
Website 		[10]
Fran Bush (cropped).jpg
Fran Bush		Former member of the Metropolitan Nashville
Public Schools Board (2018–2022)		 Independent [7] February 17, 2023
Fran Bush Campaign Logo.png
Website 		[11]
Heidi Campbell (cropped).jpg
Heidi Campbell 		State senator from the 20th district since 2021
Nominee for Tennessee's 5th congressional district in 2022 		Democratic [12] April 5, 2023
Campbell for mayor logo.png
Website 		[12]
3x4.svg
Bernie Cox		Business owner
Candidate for mayor in 2019 		Republican [7] Bernie Cox Campaign Logo.png
Website 		[7]
Sharon Hurt (cropped).png
Sharon Hurt		At-Large metro councilmember since 2015 Democratic [7] December 5, 2022
Sharon hurt for mayor logo.png
Website 		[13]
Stephanie Johnson (cropped).png
Stephanie
Johnson		Business ownerIndependentMay 1, 2023
Stephanie Johnson Campaign Logo.png
Website 		[14]
Vivian Wilhoite (cropped).jpg
Vivian Wilhoite		 Davidson County Property Assessor since 2016 Democratic [15] May 2, 2023
Vfm-logo-HEADER.png
Website 		[16]
Matt Wiltshire (cropped).png
Matt Wiltshire		Former Nashville Metropolitan Development
and Housing Agency chief strategy officer		 Democratic [7] July 13, 2022
Matt Wiltshire for mayor logo.png
Website 		[17]
Jeff Yarbro 2023 (cropped).jpg
Jeff Yarbro 		Former Minority Leader of the Tennessee Senate (2019–2023)
State senator from the 21st district since 2015		 Democratic [7] February 17, 2023
Jeff Logo.png
Website 		[18]

Withdrew after the filing deadline

CandidateExperienceParty affiliationAnnouncedWithdrewRef
Jim Gingrich (cropped).png
Jim Gingrich		Former AllianceBernstein chief operating officer Democratic [7] February 8, 2023
Jim gingrich logo.png
Website 		July 17, 2023 [19] [20]

Withdrew before the filing deadline

Disqualified

Declined

First round

First round endorsements

John Cooper (not running)

Labor unions

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 Nashville mayoral election poll 8-2-2023.png
Graph of polling for the first round as of August 2, 2023
Poll sourceDate(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) [44] [a] July 25–27, 2023500 (LV)± 4.4%0.8%5.9%–3.6%25.4%18.8%3.4%14.6%13.1%14.5%
GBAO Strategies (D) [45] [b] July 17–19, 2023500 (LV)± 4.4%–8%–6%21%13%4%10%12%25%
July 17Gingrich withdraws from the race
Music City Research [46] [c] July 5–6, 2023502 (LV)± 4.2%–7%4%3%20%13%3%15%6%30%
Public Policy Polling (D) [47] [d] June 2–4, 2023400 (LV)± 4.2%–8%3%7%10%4%–8%9%51% [e]
VictoryPhones (R) [48] [a] May 2–4, 2023500 (LV)± 4.4%2%21.9%4.2%6.7%15.6%4%3.2%6.6%17%18.8%
Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Hal
Cato		John
Cooper		Matt
Wiltshire		Undecided
Impact Research [49] [f] April 6–11, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%38%28%13%21%

First round results

2023 Nashville mayoral election results (first round) [50]
CandidateVotes%
Freddie O'Connell 27,50327.14
Alice Rolli20,47220.20
Matthew Wiltshire17,19316.97
Jeff Yarbro 12,35612.19
Heidi Campbell 8,3378.23
Sharon Hurt6,1046.02
Vivian Willhoite4,7584.70
Jim Gingrich1,6681.65
Natisha Brooks1,4581.44
Stephanie Johnson5810.57
Fran Bush5030.50
Bernie Cox3220.32
Write-in 800.07
Total votes101,335 100.00

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 [52]

Individuals

Organizations

Labor unions

Alice Rolli

Local officials

Organizations

Individuals

Runoff polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size		Margin
of error		Freddie
O'Connell		Alice
Rolli		Other/
Undecided
Show Me Victories (D) [58] August 11–16, 2023430 (RV)± 3.8%58%40%2%

Runoff results

2023 Nashville mayoral election results (runoff) [59]
CandidateVotes%
Freddie O'Connell 72,98963.85
Alice Rolli41,20536.04
Write-in 1230.11
Total votes114,317 100.00

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Poll was conducted for Tennesseans for Student Success
  2. ↑ Poll was conducted for TN Laborers PAC
  3. ↑ Poll was conducted for Harpeth Strategies
  4. ↑ Poll was conducted for NAIOP Nashville
  5. ↑ "Not sure" with 45%; "Someone else" with 6%
  6. ↑ This poll was conducted for Hal Cato

References

  1. ↑ "Election Statistics | Nashville.gov". www.nashville.gov. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Exclusive: Mayor Cooper signals re-election bid to influential group in private session". April 15, 2022.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Rau, Nate (August 4, 2023). "O'Connell finishes first in Nashville mayor's race, will face Rolli in runoff". Axios . Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Rau, Nate (July 25, 2023). "Mayoral candidate Alice Rolli makes her case". Axios . Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ Singer, Jeff (August 4, 2023). "Daily Kos Elections Live Digest: 8/4". Daily Kos . Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Plazas, David (June 22, 2023). "Struggling to pick a Nashville mayoral candidate? This scorecard might help". The Tennessean . Nashville. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  8. ↑ Stephenson, Cassandra (April 28, 2022). "Council member Freddie O'Connell announces 2023 bid for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean . Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  9. ↑ Elliott, Stephen (February 24, 2023). "Republican Strategist Alice Rolli Running for Mayor". Nashville Scene . Retrieved February 25, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Stephenson, Cassandra (February 20, 2023). "Natisha Brooks enters race for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean . Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  11. ↑ Wegner, Rachel (February 18, 2023). "Former Nashville school board member Fran Bush announces run for mayor". The Tennessean . Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stephenson, Cassandra (April 10, 2023). "Tennessee state Sen. Heidi Campbell announces campaign for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean . Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  13. ↑ Stephenson, Cassandra (December 5, 2022). "At-large Nashville Council member Sharon Hurt announces mayoral campaign". The Tennessean . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 Abrams, Cynthia (April 18, 2023). "Nashville's mayoral race: Who's in? Who's out?". WPLN-FM Nashville Public Radio. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Donate to Vivan Wilhoite for Mayor". ActBlue . Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  16. 1 2 Rau, Nate (May 2, 2023). "Vivian Wilhoite jumps into Nashville mayor's race". Axios . Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  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. ↑ Rau, Nate (February 17, 2023). "Scoop: Tennessee state Sen. Jeff Yarbro enters Nashville mayor's race". Axios . Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  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. ↑ Elliott, Stephen (July 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich suspends mayoral campaign". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  23. 1 2 "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Potential Candidates Bow Out of Mayoral Race". February 14, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Hal Cato declines to enter 2023 Nashville mayoral race". The Tennessean .
  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. ↑ 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)
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 "Nashville mayoral race 2023: See who has endorsed the candidates". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 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)
  30. ↑ "Who's running for Nashville mayor in 2023".
  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.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Elliott, Stephen (April 20, 2023). "Q&A: Bob Mendes on endorsing Freddie O'Connell for mayor". Nashville Post . Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  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. ↑ "Nashville's vice mayor wants everyone to be polite and work together. Is this political approach out of touch?". September 30, 2022.
  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.
  36. 1 2 Tamburin, Adam; Rau, Nate (January 23, 2023). "Police and fire unions back Cooper for a second term". Axios . Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  37. ↑ Plazas, David (May 24, 2023). "Meet Heidi Campbell, candidate for Nashville mayor". The Tennessean . Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cavendish, Steve (June 27, 2023). "Police union backs Wiltshire for mayor". Nashville Post . Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  39. ↑ "Mayoral Candidate Sharon Hurt Endorsed by Denver Mayor". The Tennessee Tribune . June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  40. 1 2 3 4 Elliott, Stephen (July 26, 2023). "Nashville officials endorse in mayor's race". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wright, Addison (July 19, 2023). "2023 Nashville Election Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. 1 2 Housler, Kaitlin. "Davidson County GOP Endorses Alice Rolli in Nashville Mayoral Race". Tennessee Star. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  43. 1 2 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.
  44. ↑ VictoryPhones (R)
  45. ↑ GBAO Strategies (D)
  46. ↑ Music City Research
  47. ↑ Public Policy Polling (D)
  48. ↑ VictoryPhones (R)
  49. ↑ Impact Research
  50. ↑ "August 3, 2023 Election Results". Nashville Election Commission. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  51. 1 2 3 4 Cavendish, Steve (August 11, 2023). "O'Connell, Rolli Meet in First Forum". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Matt Wiltshire endorses Freddie O'Connell for Mayor". August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023– via YouTube.
  53. ↑ Daryani, Connor (August 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich Endorses O'Connell". Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  54. 1 2 3 Daryani, Connor (August 16, 2023). "O'Connell Picks Up Pair of Endorsements". Nashville Banner . Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Tennessee Democratic Party". X. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  56. ↑ "IATSE Local 46". Twitter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  57. ↑ "Nashville mayoral election: See who has endorsed O'Connell, Rolli". The Tennessean. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  58. ↑ Show Me Victories (D)
  59. ↑ "September 14, 2023 Election Results" . Retrieved September 14, 2023.

Official campaign websites

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