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2023 Nashville mayoral election

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2023 Nashville mayoral election
← 2019 August 3, 2023 (first round)
September 14, 2023 (runoff)
Officially nonpartisan		 2027 →
Turnout20.52% Decrease (first round) 0.44 pp
23.02% Increase (runoff) 2.50 pp[1]
 
Candidate Freddie O'Connell Alice Rolli Matt Wiltshire
Party Democratic Republican Democratic
First round 27,503
27.14% 		20,472
20.20% 		17,193
16.97%
Runoff 72,989
63.85% 		41,205
36.04% 		Eliminated
 
Candidate Jeff Yarbro Heidi Campbell Sharon Hurt
Party Democratic Democratic Democratic
First round 12,356
12.19% 		8,337
8.23% 		6,104
6.02%
Runoff Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated
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

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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]

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.

Candidates

[edit]

Advanced to runoff

[edit]
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]

Eliminated in first round

[edit]
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]

Withdrew after the filing deadline

[edit]
Candidate Experience Party Affiliation Announced Withdrew Ref

Jim Gingrich 		Former AllianceBernstein chief operating officer Democratic[7] February 8, 2023

Website 		July 17, 2023 [19][20]

Withdrew before the filing deadline

[edit]
  • 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

[edit]
  • William Domann, musician[23]
  • Zerit Teklay, author[23]

Declined

[edit]

First round

[edit]

First round endorsements

[edit]
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

[edit]
Graph of polling for the first round as of August 2, 2023
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)[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)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Hal
Cato 		John
Cooper 		Matt
Wiltshire 		Undecided
Impact Research[f] April 6–11, 2022 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 38% 28% 13% 21%

First round results

[edit]
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

[edit]

Runoff endorsements

[edit]

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

[edit]
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size 		Margin
of error 		Freddie
O'Connell 		Alice
Rolli 		Other/
Undecided
Show Me Victories (D) August 11–16, 2023 430 (RV) ± 3.8% 58% 40% 2%

Runoff results

[edit]
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

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b 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

[edit]
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ 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. 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. ^ a b 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. ^ 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.
  13. ^ Stephenson, Cassandra (December 5, 2022). "At-large Nashville Council member Sharon Hurt announces mayoral campaign". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Donate to Vivan Wilhoite for Mayor". ActBlue. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  16. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Petition List - August 3, 2023 Metropolitan General Election" (PDF). Davidson County Election Commission. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  24. ^ a b "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. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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)
  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. ^ 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.
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ 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.
  39. ^ "Mayoral Candidate Sharon Hurt Endorsed by Denver Mayor". The Tennessee Tribune. June 22, 2023. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d Elliott, Stephen (July 26, 2023). "Nashville officials endorse in mayor's race". Nashville Post. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d e f Wright, Addison (July 19, 2023). "2023 Nashville Election Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  42. ^ a b Housler, Kaitlin. "Davidson County GOP Endorses Alice Rolli in Nashville Mayoral Race". Tennessee Star. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  43. ^ 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.
  44. ^ "August 3, 2023 Election Results". Nashville Election Commission. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d Cavendish, Steve (August 11, 2023). "O'Connell, Rolli Meet in First Forum". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  46. ^ "Matt Wiltshire endorses Freddie O'Connell for Mayor". August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023 – via YouTube.
  47. ^ Daryani, Connor (August 17, 2023). "Jim Gingrich Endorses O'Connell". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  48. ^ a b c Daryani, Connor (August 16, 2023). "O'Connell Picks Up Pair of Endorsements". Nashville Banner. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  49. ^ "Tennessee Democratic Party". X. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  50. ^ "IATSE Local 46". Twitter. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  51. ^ "Nashville mayoral election: See who has endorsed O'Connell, Rolli". The Tennessean. August 16, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  52. ^ "September 14, 2023 Election Results". Retrieved September 14, 2023.
[edit]
Official campaign websites
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