Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Metro Council District races | Editorial
Nashville-Davidson County voters will be voting for mayor, vice mayor and Metro Council in the Aug. 3 municipal election.
The Metro Council comprises 40 members — 35 who represent individual districts and five who are elected countywide by all Nashville voters.
Those 35 district members are the elected officials closest to the people, representing them on issues related to Nashville's $3-billion budget, city services, and the approval of developments around town. They are both community advocates and checks on the mayor's authority.
Nashville-Davidson County comprises about 525 square miles, and members serve a variety of constituencies -- urban, suburban and rural, from Bellevue to Joelton, from Antioch to Madison, and from Downtown to Donelson.
Go to this link from Metro Nashville Government to find out what your district is: https://www.nashville.gov/departments/council/council-districts
(Editor's note: The old Council district map initially appeared in this article because that that is the image that appears on Metro's website for Council District Lookup. Once there, click on the Find your Council district for the August 3, 2023 election to the find your new district).
Nashville has the third largest city council in the country, after New York and Chicago, and that is because of a compromise to consolidate county and city governments in a 1962 referendum. Metro Government officially formed in 1963, and 60 years later, this first experiment in consolidated government persists.
Although the Tennessee General Assembly voted to cut the council in half in 2023, a court ruled in favor of Nashville voters and, at for the next four years, there will be 40 members on the Council.
The Tennessean Editorial Board has been communicating with candidates for months in order to provide readers with comprehensive information about who they are, why they are running and why they deserve voters' support.
We have invited candidates to fill out our questionnaire in which they shared biographical information and answered 12 questions including how they stand out, their views on key issues, and favorite spots to recommend to visitors in Music City. Below find the answers for Metro Council District candidates -- 64 or 71 (90%) of whom filled out the questionnaire.
Find other related election guides below:
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Nashville mayoral election
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Vice Mayoral election
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Metro Council At-Large election
Find the candidates' names below and read excerpts and their answers in full and on tennessean.com/opinion.
Key dates
July 5: Voter registration deadline
July 14-29: Early voting
July 27: Deadline to request absentee ballot
Aug. 3: Election
Sept. 14: Runoff election
Editor's note: The Editorial Board comprises Editor-in-Chief Michael A. Anastasi, Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas, Content Strategist Gary Estwick, and Deputy Middle Tennessee Editor Kerri Bartlett. We are not endorsing in the Aug. 3 municipal elections. Instead, we are using our platform to inform the public, amplify the conversation and encourage respectful discourse throughout the election.
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The District Metro Council Candidates
Find the list of candidates below then scroll to learn more about them and link to all their answers to the editorial board’s questionnaire.
District 1: Ruby Baker, Sean Dailey, Rob Harris, Joy Smith Kimbrough, Timothy Thompson (open seat)
District 2: Kyontze Toombs (incumbent, unopposed)
District 3: Jennifer Gamble (incumbent, unopposed)
District 4: Davette Blalock, Mike Cortese, Brian Sullivan (open seat)
District 5: Terri Laine Klingner, Sean Parker (incumbent)
District 6: Clay Capp, Brandes B. Holcomb, Daniel McDonnell (open seat)
District 7: Emily Benedict (incumbent), Danny Williams
District 8: Martez Coleman, Deonte Harrell (open seat)
District 9: Tonya Hancock (incumbent), Stephanie Montenegro
District 10: Jennifer Frensley Webb, Zach Young (incumbent)
District 11: Joe DeLucas, Sherard Edington, Jeff Eslick, Eric Patton (open seat)
District 12: Erin Evans (incumbent, unopposed)
District 13: Russ Bradford (incumbent, unopposed)
District 14: Jordan Huffman, R.J. Mamula (open seat)
District 15: Jeff Gregg, Dan Jones (open seat)
District 16: Alexa Little, Ginny Welsch (incumbent)
District 17: Tonya Esquibel, Teaka Jackson, Terry Vo (open seat)
District 18: Tom Cash (incumbent), Angus Purdy
District 19: Jasper Hendricks III, Jacob Kupin, Jonathan Turner (open seat)
District 20: Scott Gillihan, Rollin Horton (open seat)
District 21: Jamel R. Campbell-Gooch, Brandon Taylor (incumbent)
District 22: Sheri Weiner (unopposed)
District 23: Thom Druffel (incumbent), Lisa Williams
District 24: Brenda Gadd (unopposed)
District 25: David Ackerman, Jeff Preptit, Rolando Toyos
District 26: Courtney Johnson (incumbent, unopposed)
District 27: Robert Nash (incumbent, unopposed)
District 28: David Benton, Travis London (open seat)
District 29: Tasha Ellis, Jama Mohamed, John Reed, Michele Vetter (open seat)
District 30: Sandra Sepulveda (incumbent, unopposed)
District 31: Dia Hart, John Rutherford (incumbent)
District 32: Joy Styles (incumbent, unopposed)
District 33: Antoinette W. Lee (incumbent, unopposed)
District 34: Luke Austin Elliott, Sandy Ewing (open seat)
District 35: Carson Smart, Jason Spain (open seat)
Read all the candidates' answers to the questionnaire at this link.
District 1
Timothy Thompson (did not fill out Q&A)
Ruby Baker
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 1
Age: 63
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Bordeaux Hills Residential Association
Education: Nashville State Community College - 2021 - AS-General Studies, Nashville State Community College - 2018 - Accounting, Branell Business College - TN - 1988 - Business Admin/Accounting
Job history: State of Tennessee - Finance and Administration - 2005 - 2022 - (17 years) (Retired 2022), Meharry Medical College - Financial Aid Counselor - 1998 - 2005 - (7 years)
Family: Single Mother - (4 Adult Children)
Why are you running for this office?
I've served in District 1 for more than 14 years and believe I understand the needs of our district and the function of a council representative, and I want to pursue the council position to help improve the quality of life for my neighbors and our families. I want to continue to pursue amenities and services to help sustain and maintain our neighborhoods. I want to bring our neighborhoods to the discussions about smart and equitable development and what’s important for our district.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Working with the neighbors to establish an effective line of communication to disseminate information to help keep them informed and engaged of any rezoning, important meetings, etc. and giving the community an update on any pending council legislation for District 1. Working closely with each neighborhood to create a vision/charette/plan for their neighborhood, and together we can actively pursue the amenities and services needed to help sustain and maintain our neighborhoods. Our district is in dire need of infrastructure upgrades, traffic calming measures, etc. so we will work with Metro departments to discuss their process and find workable resolutions.
Sean Dailey
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 1
Age: 37
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Northwest - Marrowbone
Education: Master of Arts in Civic Leadership
Job history: Ingram Marine Group – six years, Tennessee Army National Guard – four years, Project Return – four years, PeopleReady Skilled Trades – three years
Family: My family is the center of my world and the driving force behind my commitment to public service. I'm blessed to have found my childhood sweetheart and wife, Amelia Crofts Dailey, who is not only a loving partner and mother but also a dedicated youth outreach coordinator and the daughter of the legendary Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts. Together, Amelia and I are raising our beautiful 4-year-old daughter, Marcella, who brings so much joy and inspiration to our lives. As a family, we share a passion for music, the outdoors, and giving back to our community. It is the love and support of my family that motivates me to work tirelessly to make our community a better place for all of its residents. I'm committed to ensuring that every family in our community hasaccess to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and build a brighter future for generations to come.
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running for office because I refuse to sit back and watch my community struggle with the same old problems year after year. We have been underrepresented for far too long. We need fresh ideas and bold leadership to tackle the issues that are holding us back and make our community the best it can be. I'm not just talking about band-aid solutions - I'm talking about real, systemic change that will improve the lives of everyone who calls this place home. We need someone representing District 1 that can unify our neighborhoods and respond to the needs of community members with a sense of urgency and compassion. That's why I'm running for office, and I'm ready to get to work.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
As I begin my new term in office, I have three top priorities that I believe are critical to the future success of our community.
First, I'm committed to implementing workforce development initiatives that will help our residents obtain the skills and training they need to succeed in today's economy. This includes working with local businesses and educational institutions to create job training programs, apprenticeships, and other opportunities that will give our residents the tools they need to build successful careers.
Second, I'm passionate about criminal justice reform, and I believe that we need to take bold action to address systemic issues within our justice system. This includes working to eliminate racial disparities in policing, reforming our bail system, and expanding access to rehabilitation and reentry programs for those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.
Third, I'm committed to expanding access to affordable housing in our community. We know that housing insecurity is a major issue for many of our residents, and I believe that we need to take concrete steps to address this crisis.
Rob Harris
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 1
Age: 51
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Whites Creek
Education: I am a graduate of MNPS (Hunters Lane High School), BBA/Finance and MBA/Supply Chain Management.
Job history: Started as an intern with the Metro Nashville Property Assessor's in 2009 and worked in various offices including Metro HR, the Trustee's Office and Mayor John Cooper's (city council liaison) before returning to the Property Assessor's Office. I left Metro Nashville Government in 2022 to run for city council. I currently work for the Tennessee Department of Corrections as a procurement officer.
Family: I live in Whites Creek with my wife Christie (Bell) Harris, an MNPS teacher. We are raising our soon-to-be 3-year-old precocious daughter Rayn in the area where I grew-up. My mother (Newtonia Coleman) still lives 5 minutes away from us and my father (Robert Sr.) is buried in the veteran's cemetery in Madison. Like many people, I am the product of divorce. Because of that, I have a bonus mother (Ella Harris), a brother (Chris Harris) and a sister (Robbi Harris).
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because District One deserves leadership that understands its needs and has an intimate understanding of Metro government and more specifically Metro Council. I am also running because I want my daughter and all the other children of the district to feel safe, to be healthy and to have an adequate share of the public funding that has long eluded us as a community.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
When I am elected, I plan to get District One into the capital budget and work on the infrastructure in Joelton i.e., new 6-inch water lines and a new water pumping station. I will work with the State toconnect Bells Bend and Beamon Parks. Our best asset is our natural resources. Furthermore, I plan to empower a team of District One residents to look for the opportunities to bring sit-down restaurants, grocery stores, etc. to Bordeaux and to make us the jewel of the city.
Joy Smith Kimbrough
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 1
Age: 55
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Bordeaux/Enchanted Hills
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, Master of Science Degree, Doctor of Jurisprudence
Job history: MNPS Substitute Teacher, Police Officer, Attorney
Family: Three children, four grandchildren
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office because I love my District, we deserve the absolute best, and I want to advocate on behalf of my community.
give me an advantage when legal issues or issues with potential legal ramifications come before the Council. I am trustworthy. I have a long history of community service.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Advocate for my district during the budgeting process, hold regular community meetings, protect the parts of District 1 that want to remain rural, and advocate to achieve economic parity in infrastructure and housing stock for the areas of District 1 that desire smart growth.
District 2
Kyontze Toombs (incumbent, unopposed)
Kyonzte Toombs
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 2
Age: 44
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Haynes Trinity Neighborhood
Education: I attended Decatur High School in Decatur, Georgia. I have the following degrees/certificates: Vanderbilt University - BA, African-American Studies; Vanderbilt Law School - JD; Emory University - MBA, Finance and Strategy; University of Alabama Law School - LL.M, Tax; East TN State University - Graduate Certificate, Health Care Management
Job history: I have been a licensed attorney for nearly 19 years. I have worked for the Tennessee Department of Health for over 13 years. I have served as Deputy Director of the Division of Health Licensure & Regulation of the TN Department of Health since November of 2021. Prior to that, I was a managing attorney in the Department's Office of General Counsel. Prior to working with the Department, I was in private practice. Before going into private practice, I worked for the TN Department of Children's Services in its central office doing primarily employment law.
Family: I have been married to my husband for over 12 years, and together we have four children.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election to continue the work that I have been doing over the past 4 years to implement my platform: Equity, Affordability, and Safety.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I will continue working on my platform: Equity, Affordability, and Safety.
District 3
Jennifer Gamble (incumbent, unopposed)
Jennifer Gamble
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 3
Age: 52
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Bellshire
Education: MS, Mass Communication, Middle Tennessee State University, 2009BA, English, Fisk University, 1991
Job history: Council Member, District 3, Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County, 2019-Present; Founder & CEO, Nelson PR & Communications, 2012- Present; CEO, Prevent Blindness Tennessee, 2008-2012; Marketing and Development Director, Prevent Blindness Tennessee, 2005-2008; Institutional Advancement, Fisk University, 2002-2005; Public Relations Officer, Tennessee Bankers Association, 1999-2002; Public Affairs Assistant, TN Higher Education Commission, 1996- 1999
Family: Married to George Gamble for 30 years. We have two adult children, and one grandchild.
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running for re-election as Metro Council member for District 3, to continue to work to improve the quality of life in the community through fostering strong neighborhoods; improving infrastructure, environment, and transportation; and advancing education opportunities for all.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My top priorities for a second term in office include getting a library in District 3. Currently, District 3 is the only council district that doesn't have a public library for youth and adults to have access to books, computers, and the internet. Also, I will work to advance local and regional transit initiatives to address traffic congestion and growth in our city, and work to garner more affordable housing for working, middle class families.
District 4
Davette Blalock
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 4
Age: 51
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Nippers Corner
Education: Some college, professional schools
Job history: Real Estate, Insurance, and Financial Planning for the last 32-plus years, Metro Council member (2011-2019)
Family: Husband and two children, Victoria age 17, Lance age 14
Why are you running for this office?
To dedicate my time and knowledge to making my neighborhood and Nashville the best it can be.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Continue the job that Council Member Robert Swope started with the bettering of traffic flow including the roundabout on Edmondson Pike and widening of Nolensville Pike and OHB.
Complete the Park on Edmondson Pike.
Help make several metro departments more efficient, including being able to reach someone when help is needed.
Develop strategies to reduce current deficit.
Mike Cortese
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 4
Age: 41
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Mountainview
Education: Master's Degree
Job history: Adjunct Professor at Belmont University + Opportunity Development Manager at Dell Technologies
Family: Married with 1 son
Why are you running for this office?
Our neighborhoods have been neglected by the city government for far too long.
I know we can make tomorrow better than today. My community stepped up for me when I was a kid and now it's time for me to do my part.
My wife and I know the power of community and personal responsibility firsthand. We grew up around abuse, addiction, and crime. We were fortunate to live in communities that helped us work through those circumstances and come out stronger on the other side. I will fight fiercely to make sure every family in Nashville, regardless of their current circumstance, has the opportunity to make tomorrow better than today. That is my promise.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Keeping Nashville affordable
Reinvesting revenue from downtown back into our communities: road upgrades, sidewalks, greenspaces, community services, public safety.
Making sure there is a strong dialogue and line of communication between the city government and District 4 Residents.
Brian Sullivan
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 4
Age: 45
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Brighton Village near Nippers Corner
Education: Equivalent to an Associate's Degree in Communications
Job history: Before starting my businesses, I served as director of public relations at Addiction Campuses, a nationwide recovery network for those battling substance use disorder, for over 5 years. Before hiring with Addiction Campuses, I served over a decade in the televisionindustry, with over 20 years experience as a print and broadcast journalist. In 2012, I won the Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for Best Morning News Program. I am active in several campaigns raising awareness in addiction treatment, equality and mental healthcare. I serve as an Executive Board Member of the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee and Davidson County co-chair of Tennessee Equality Project. I have worked extensively on projects with several major networks including Fox News Network, CNN, Time Magazine and Mic. I started out in print at the Collierville Independent just outside of Memphis.
Family: I am single and have no children, but am the proud uncle of three boys and godfather to one. My nephew Jacob lives with me. He is 23 and attends Lincoln Tech and is studying welding.
Why are you running for this office?
There are a lot of very important decisions Metro Council will make next year. New developments, funding for necessary community organizations, and how we handle the onslaught of bills from the state. Our citizens need to feel as if they are protected. In my district, a big issue is street racing, so I hope to work to make sure those residents who have a hard time sleeping and hear it can get a better night's sleep.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Street racing is a big problem for residents in my district, and many complain about hearing it at all hours of the night.
Ensuring that Council stays the course in challenging unconstitutional and discriminatory laws passed by the state to protect our Council size and its LGBTQ+ citizens.
Safety and funding for necessary community initiatives when their funding is at risk.
District 5
Terri Laine Klingner
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 5
Age: 64
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? East Hill/East Nashville
Education: I graduated from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. I am also a certified paralegal.
Job history: Accountant/Financial Analyst/Project Manager - 24 years with EY - Los Angeles/Las Vegas/Nashville. In my role at EY, a big 4 accounting firm, I provide complex, in-depth financial analysis for multiple domestic and global projects to senior EY management. I have also worked the front office of a minor league hockey team for one season. Additionally, I have been an entrepreneur, using my college business plan to start a paint it yourself ceramic store upon graduation. My store and story was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. During my college years I supported myself working in the restaurant industry doing catering jobs for the entertainment industry and celebrity weddings.
Family: I am originally from Alabama, where my extended family of brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews still reside. I am engaged to be married to my partner, Patrick. We share a home in East Nashville with a rescue dog named Molly, and our rescue cats, Sam and Sugar.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Metro Council District 5 because I want to inspire the constituents in my district, and other districts by example, to stay engaged in government decisions that most closely impact their daily lives. I want my district to elect me, then work "with me" during my term in office for the betterment of District 5, and all Nashvillians.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Public safety is of paramount importance to ensure a thriving, secure community.
Infrastructure - repair existing road - fix potholes: address transportation needs.
Financial/fiscal responsibility - eg...Oversight of new Titan stadium budget.
Sean Parker
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 5
Age: 34
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? McFerrin Park
Education: Attended MTSU
Job history: I currently work part-time in event production. In the past I have run a bike shop, managed campaigns, worked in kitchens, and delivered thousands of parcels via bicycle.
Family: I live with my partner. My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nieces also live in Nashville.
Why are you running for this office?
We have more work to do. Our community has made good progress in the last four years and I'm running to continue that work.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Constituent service. When I first ran I did not realize how much of the job is being a glorified customer service rep. We face a lot of tough debate and decisions as councilmembers but helping a constituent solve an issue is an unequivocally good thing and I hope to continue being in a position to do that.
Affordability. Nashville's success is placing enormous strain on our citizens' pocketbooks and we can do much more to make our city affordable. Under my leadership as affordable housing committee chair, we put more money into housing than any prior year. We need to shore up what works, enable more missing middle housing, and work toward a sustainable and scalable social housing model.
Safety. Strong, well-resourced communities are what keep us safe. We need to overhaul our dangerous corridors and make transit, cycling, and walking viable for more people. We need to invest in social resources and civilian traffic enforcement so MNPD can focus on violent and serious crime.
District 6
Clay Capp
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 6
Age: 39
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Lockeland Springs
Education: Growing up, I went to USN (K-12, graduating in 2002), and then to Harvard for college (2006) and the University of Pennsylvania for law school (2010).
Job history: I started my career at the Legal Aid Society, in the Bronx, as a public defender for youth and children. That was life-changing, for me, and I have stayed with public interest work ever since, including a time as legal director for the Tennessee Justice Center. I am now at the Metro Nashville Public Defender's Office (though I must note that I do not speak for that office).
Family: My wife Ali and I have two young sons, Homer and Sol. My parents live in town, too. My dad is an entrepreneur and my mom is a retired Special Education teacher with Metro. My brother is also a public school teacher.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Council to serve the people of District 6; to support public education in Nashville; to improve transit, affordability, and green space; and to defend the rights of Nashvillians who are targeted by the State.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Maximum support for public education in Nashville.
Building the East Bank as a mixed-use neighborhood for Nashvillians, with housing and transit, and not as a tourist zone.
Supporting Shelby Park and Bottoms and our other parks, and planting a lot of trees in District 6!
I’ll add a fourth! Unapologetically standing up for the rights of Nashvillians when threatened by our State Legislature.
Brandes B. Holcomb
Editor's note: Brandes Holcomb recently endorsed his opponent Clay Capp, but his name will remain on the ballot.
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 6
Age: 49
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? East Nashville - 37206
Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - University of Tennessee at Martin; Juris Doctor - Nashville School of Law
Job history: I am an attorney practicing in family, probate, and contract law. I previously worked for the Belmont College of Law providing legal technology support. Prior to that, I worked for the Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science providing network security support.
Family: I am single and I have a daughter. She is the jewel of my soul.
Why are you running for this office?
I want to ensure the integrity of development and growth in our neighborhood, and the city overall. This past winter, a large portion of our neighborhood was without electricity for more than 24 hours, during single-digit temperatures. The message we received from our elected officials was vague, inconsistent, and largely unhelpful. Ultimately, we found out that our local power switch was failing because of excessive load. I was reminded of recent summers when our neighborhood would experience brownouts from the strain of powering all of the air conditioners of the rapidly increasing number of residents.
How did we not see this problem coming? Why were we not warned of this possibility? The residents of Edgefield Manor, an elderly-only property in our district, were without power and were quite literally left in the dark about any remedy or resources available to them. This is unacceptable to me. This is why I chose to run for this position. I refuse to allow this sort of thing happen without proper communication and direction for our community. I want assurance that things will not happen that way again.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My first priority is creating awareness for our community. What are the realities of our current situation? What are the actual possibilities for the development in and around our neighborhood? What should we reasonably anticipate to happen? How will these things be paid for? Will they benefit us? What can we control? What are the timelines? We all deserve access to this information and to have it explained to us in a way we can understand and easily prepare for. We simply cannot make good choices unless we are fully informed.
Another priority is ensuring the robustness of the infrastructure that our neighborhoods are being built on. We should have infrastructure in place to grow into, not to outgrow and then deal with the repercussions of inadequacy. Do we have infrastructure in place to handle the greater amount of resources that will be used in a large development and not affect those already here? Do we have enough schools and well qualified (and compensated) educators to handle the greater population? Do we have the roads to handle the traffic? Do we have enough spaces to park the vehicles? Do we have efficiently managed alternatives to driving so traffic and parking are not such a burden? If we do not answer these questions before we outgrow our infrastructure, we will suffer the consequences.
Finally, I will be making sure we understand the balance and benefits of the compromises we will have to make. There are no perfect solutions. However, if we are fully aware of the processes in place, we can more often than not find the best option for all. My favorite course in law school was a negotiations class. I learned that with a full disclosure of information and an understanding of the priorities of all parties, it is easier to make a bigger pie to share than it is to fight for the largest piece of that pie. We need a full awareness of the capabilities of our local government and how exercising those capabilities can most benefit the people the government works for.
Daniel McDonell
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 6
Age: 39
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Shelby Hills, East Nashville
Education: I graduated undergraduate with a BA from Northwestern University with a double major in geography and religion and a minor in environmental policy. My graduate degree is from the University of Glasgow, Scotland with an MSc in sustainable development.
Job history: Before returning to Tennessee, I was a private sector sustainability consultant, but when I moved to Nashville, we knew we would build roots here, so I wanted to dive into non-profits locally. I worked for Hands on Nashville in their Energy Home Savings Program working to make upgrades to low income neighbors’ homes. I then worked with Walk Bike Nashville as policy and education manager to tackle root livability problems and work on institutional reforms. While at Walk Bike Nashville, I engaged community members and worked with Metro Council members to support active transportation funding, ordinances for better sidewalks, and transit.I saw an opportunity to effect even more change for the city when I moved to the Nashville Metro Planning Department as a transportation planner focused on better mobility options. I am now the multimodal planning manager for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, managing a team dedicated to supporting safety and connectivity for those walking, bicycling, or taking transit across Tennessee. I have spent my career finding ways to make the biggest impact to improve the lives of our neighbors in this city.
Family: My family here in Nashville is my wife, Dr. Katherine McDonell; two daughters, Ailsa and Fiona, ages 4 and 1; two rescue dogs; and a small flock of backyard chickens
Why are you running for this office?
I’ve worked to make my neighborhood and East Nashville a better place since we chose to move here. When we bought our first little house about 10 years ago, the city finished the sidewalk gap in front of it, put the first protected bike lane near us into downtown, and started the amazing Envision Cayce non-displacement redevelopment for public housing right next door. So I thought, “Well of course good things like this happen. It’s an inevitable outcome of a growing city!”Boy was I wrong- after working for nearly 10 years for a better city, I realize that good policy decisions and project outcomes are not inevitable. It takes hard, sometimes thankless work to understand the nuances of the Metropolitan government, maximize the tradeoffs in funding priorities and push a complicated project delivery process. But making good decisions and projects is worth it to our community.
The Council member serves a unique role as someone who can align all the competing interests to deliver those good outcomes. Whether the issue is getting stop signs, on-time trash collection, the appropriate green stormwater infrastructure, and community benefits from a nearby rezoning, our neighbors deserve a champion that puts their nose to the grindstone on these issues. I am making one campaign promise: I will put the hard work in every day for District 6 and the people that live here.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Affordable housing is a huge need. Our neighborhood should be able to allow teachers to live where they teach, and it doesn’t do that anymore. We should continue prioritizing the Barnes Fund and support non-displacement redevelopment projects like Cayce Homes next to where I live. We also need to support density where it makes sense to increase supply and support viable transit, and I want to leverage every service available to protect our most vulnerable neighbors and keep them living here.
Transportation is another one of my priorities. East Nashville is the heart of the city, where neighborhoods meet downtown. We need better, safer options to get around. Our neighborhoods have been desperately asking for traffic calming, better sidewalks, and more bikeways. And we need a dedicated source of funding for transit so buses can start to run throughout the night at a high frequency.
I’m an environmentalist, and doing our part to protect our environment and battle climate change also makes our neighborhood better. Planting trees provides shade and mitigates stormwater. Enhancing Shelby Park and expanding neighborhood parks like Lockeland Springs provides natural habitats and places for families to enjoy. We will work with Metro Planning and Water to ensure development comes with smart green infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve public access to natural assets like the river.
District 7
Emily Benedict
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 7
Age: 50
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Inglewood/Madison
Education: B.A.
Job history: I am an enthusiastic and accomplished sales leader in multiple disciplines including new business development, strategic planning, contract negotiation, team leadership, and public speaking. I have a trackrecord of successful achievement of revenue and profitability targets for more than 20 years of sales experience in highly competitive industries. My experience includes responsibility for more than $325 million in revenues, both as an individual contributor and through team leadership. As a current Nashville City Councilmember, I have built a network of Nashville’s leaders while creating public policy for over 20,000 constituents and over 700,000 Nashvillians.
Family: Wife, Jessica Easley
Why are you running for this office?
When I ran for office in 2019, it was so I could give a voice in the government for my neighborhood, and to make good policy for the city. I feel that I have successfully achieved those goals, and I would like to continue that work.I promised to pay our teachers more, and now they are the highest paid in the state. I promised to develop in the right places, while sustaining the character of our neighborhoods, and I passed four contextual overlays in the district. I promised to improve safety on our streets, and I delivered a traffic light at Stratford Avenue & Gallatin Pike within months of taking office; additionally, no district has received more traffic calming awards than District 7.
This is momentum that I want to keep going. There is much more to do as we focus on investing more in our city. We need big investments in transit, housing, and safety. I’ll seek to create a standing committee for State & Local Government Relations, which will provide more support and accountability than we currently receive from the Mayor’s office. That approach will result in better relations with the state. There is a lot to do, and I feel ready to get going on August 4.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Traffic Calming and Safety: Our community deserves to feel safe when walking, biking, and commuting to and from their homes. Prioritizing projects that help accomplish this is something I will continue to fight for. No district has received more traffic calming awards in the past two years; we must continue to improve our dangerous streets. No one should be put in harm's way due to unsafe and unwalkable streets.
State Relations: I will advocate for a standing Council Committee for State & Local Government Relations. Currently, Council receives weekly recaps of the General Assembly's work. Rather than being in a reactive position, I believe Council oversight could benefit the relationship such that we may find common ground, like tax relief for seniors, on which we can work together. Building relationships with State leadership will be crucial to the city's future, and Council should have the opportunity for more oversight to that process.
Transit and Infrastructure: Infrastructure investment is critical for efficient transportation, clean water, and connected neighborhoods. We must dedicate funding to public transportation and other critical infrastructure for our city to continue growing. This includes supporting expansion of the NDOT and WeGo budgets. I support a dedicated revenue stream for WeGo, which is a standard for cities with good transit.
Danny Williams
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 7
Age: 70
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Inglewood
Education: BS
Job history: Retired Metro Nashville Police Department
Family: Lived here for second decades
Why are you running for this office?
To address the many problems of the district and improve quality of life for our constituents.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Improve police patrols in specific areas, homeless situation, affordable housing, helping homeless veterans to adjust, address traffic and growth in District 7.
District 8
Martez Coleman (did not fill out Q&A)
Deonte Harrell (did not fill out Q&A)
District 9
Tonya Hancock
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 9
Age: Half a Century
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Madison
Education: Master's in Business Administration - Webster University, Bachelor's in Psychology and Statistics- University of Tennessee
Job history: Metro Council - 2019 to present, Amazon Business, Education division - 2020 to present, U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service - 2014-2018, Texas Instruments, Education division - 2005-2014, Bridges.com, Education division - 2000-2005, SC Department of Education- 1999-2000, YMCA- 1990-1999
Family: LTC Robert Hancock, Tennessee Army National Guard, Baxton Hancock, MNPS Rising 5th Grader, Nashville Heroes Travel Soccer Team
Why are you running for this office?
Overall I am enjoying the opportunity to listen to and give back to my community.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Education: Continue to advocate for our children’s teachers
Parks: Pedestrian Path across the Cumberland to connect Madison to downtown via Donelson
Safety: Help our animals and MNPD by giving a home to our Mounted Patrol at Peeler Park
Stephanie Montenegro
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 9
Age: 30
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Madison
Education: Currently pursuing bachelor's in urban studies at Tennessee State University
Job history: Parent Outreach Translator for MNPS, paralegal at local law firm
Family: Wife, 2 kids, 2 dogs (Moira Rose & Jolene)
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running for Metro Council District 9 because I have been a long-time resident in the community and I've seen the growth Nashville has experienced. I've noticed that most investment has been focused in Downtown Nashville and Madison continues to be forgotten. We have only just recently started to see progress such as Madison Square. I believe it's time for Madison to have a strong voice to continue to advocate for the needs of the community. I am that voice. The people in Madison deserve to have safe streets, better infrastructure, affordable housing, and fully funded schools.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
We must build safe streets for our community. District 9 has been growing fast and our infrastructure hasn't kept up with our needs. We can save lives by ensuring crosswalks are properly marked, sidewalks are available for pedestrians to safely move around our community, implementing traffic calming measures, and build bus shelters. We must fully fund our local public schools. By working with other council members and the school board, we can attribute more funds to MNPS to increase teacher and support staff pay. Lastly, I will work with community leaders, residents, organizers, and developers to ensure that new projects are focused around the needs of the people in Madison.
District 10
Jennifer Frensley Webb
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 10
Age: 56
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Goodlettsville
Education: Marketing Degree from Belmont College
Job history: President and part owner of Bob Frensley Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram. I started working in the automotive industry at 16 until 2019 when we sold the business to settle the estate of my father Bob Frensley.Sometime in my career, we had over seven franchises at one time where I was the daily operating manager and chief executive officer. I decided in 2021, I wanted to try something different, so I became ageneral contractor and with my husband and two sons we started Bull Enterprises LLC.
Family: Been married 27 years to Jeff Webb and we have two sons. Our oldest son, Robert Jeffery Webb is a Nashville firefighter and job superintendent of Bull Enterprises. Our youngest will be a Senior at Western Kentucky University where he is earning a business management degree.
Why are you running for this office?
I have lived In Nashville (Goodlettsville) my entire life and love this city. I believe with my leadership skills and my ability to bring people together, I can get a lot of things accomplished for the city that will affect everyone's daily life in a positive way.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I want to advocate for policies that make affordable housing opportunities for our lifelong residents to enjoy all that Nashville has become and work on finding a solution for the homeless population. Metro has grown over the last five years but being the mother of a Nashville Firefighter and knowing a lot of firemen, the fire department needs more equipment, needs more fireman and needs more firehouses. I want to be an advocate for our public safety services - the fire and police departments. In the society we live in, their jobs have become one with more adversity to overcome.
I want to use my common sense for common cents!! Spend our money wisely while being transparent every step up the way.
Modernize our infrastructure to keep up with Nashville's growth.
Zach Young
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 10
Age: 31
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Goodlettsville
Education: High school, some college
Job history: Realtor
Family: Single
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for re-election to make sure an experienced, pragmatic voice is in the room to make sure results are being delivered for the residents of Davidson County. With the explosive growth our county has experienced, the historic lack of investment in our critical infrastructure and employees came to a boiling point in 2020 along with a threatened state takeover of our finances. Since that time, unparalleled investments in critical city services have been made all while getting Metro on solid ground with its finances and having the second lowest property tax rate in Metro’s history. I’m ready to continue that work and continue delivering results for my district.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My priority will be the public good–public schools, public safety, and public roads. That’s what Metro is supposed to be in the business of doing.
District 11
Joe DeLucas
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 11
Age: 49
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Hermitage
Education: High School Diploma. Some College
Job history: Over 25 years Retail/Restaurant Management, Songwriter, Musician, Author, Actor
Family: Spouse Paola
Why are you running for this office?
To invoke change in a neglected district. To serve the betterment of all in our community not a handful of self-serving few
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Fixing roads
Reducing overbuilding and overpopulation.
Eliminating the homeless camps and getting the afflicted the help they need
Sherard Edington
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 11
Age: 59
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Old Hickory
Education: Master of Divinity, Yale Divinity School. Bachelor of Arts, Rhodes College (Memphis).
Job history: I have been an ordained Presbyterian minister for 32 years serving Tennessee churches in Columbia, Old Hickory, and Lebanon. In my younger days, I waited tables, scooped ice cream, and worked as a laborer in a boat factory.
Family: Courtney and I have been married for 27 years. We have one daughter who now lives and works in Washington, D.C. We also have two dogs—Eddy and Scout.
Why are you running for this office?
Old Hickory has been my home for 27 years. This community has given my family and me so much. I am very excited that I now have the opportunity to give back and represent the people of District 11 on the Metro Council. I will work to ensure that all residents enjoy the highest quality of life.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
As a member of Council, my priority will be to ensure that every tax dollar is spent wisely. We need to focus on our schools and public safety. We must develop and implement a realistic plan to keep our children safe. Nashville has an outstanding police department, but the police force is short by 200 officers. We need to ramp up recruitment and fill the ranks.
Jeff Eslick
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 11
Age: 55
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Old Hickory
Education: Bachelor's degree in mass communication from MTSU.
Job history: I was a marketing consultant and sales manager with WKDF, WGFX and Titans Radio for almost 20 years before starting an advertising agency in 2013.
Family: My father served in Vietnam and passed away many years ago. Growing up, it was my mother, my sister and me. Currently, I am not married and have two dogs.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running because District 11 needs a neighbor. Metro Council doesn't need another political activist, but they do need a neighbor who will focus on the basics that go into making safe, flourishing neighborhoods.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Keeping Nashville safe: Nashville's police force has been recognized for outstanding performances in recent years. We should use this positive momentum to hire new recruits, while retaining our experienced officers and add better protection to our schools.
Managing growth: Nashville's recent growth is well documented and shows no signs of slowing down. Managing and making space for new construction should be done with respect for current residents and neighborhoods.
Illegal encampments: There is a growing problem with encampments. It seems several pop up for every encampment that is shut down, including the one at Andrew Jackson Way. Metro has millions set aside to address the problem. This issue directly affects the 11th District.
Eric A. Patton
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 11
Age: 32
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Old Hickory Village
Education: Associate's
Job history: Marketing/small business owner
Family: I have a dog named Maybelle. Otherwise no spouse or human kids.
Why are you running for this office?
In a town that feels like the folks who run things only care about skylines and stadiums, it’s time normal citizens remind them we care more about schools, services, and small businesses.
I’ve lived in Tennessee all my life. I moved to Nashville at 20 on a hope and a prayer. I found a job selling boots on Broadway, couch surfed for the first month, moved around a bit, and worked hard for everything I’ve had.
I invested in Nashville and it paid off. It’s been 13 years since I first moved to town. I’m in my early thirties now, and I bought my first house here in the village a few years ago. Like everyone who lives here, I am deeply in love with this community. The people are like me. We work hard, we love our families, and we watch out for each other.
Someone needs to stand up for the people here. Not someone who wants to divide people but someone who wants to bring everyone to the table to work on the problems we have. Nashville is growing by leaps and bounds, and I know how to manage that growth with a focus on neighborhoods and making sure we're doing right by everyone.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I'm calling this the Triple S Campaign: schools, services, small business.
Schools: Better pay for teachers and aids. More after-school programming. Focus on getting kids job or college ready.
Services: Better and more things a city should be providing. More well-trained and accountable police, fire, and medical with competitive pay. A focus on infrastructure that isn't just downtown high rises. Better utility service. Sidewalks. Speed bumps. Those kinds of things we've been wanting out here forever.
Support for small business: Incentives and support for locally owned small businesses who've been getting left out in the cold. When folks like Amazon and Oracle come to town and get the city to bend over backward to get them here, they've not been working to keep the small, locally-owned businesses we already have. That needs to change.
District 12
Erin Evans (incumbent, unopposed)
Erin Evans
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 12
Age: 52
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Hermitage
Education: B.A. Communication Arts, University of West Florida; M.S. Organizational Communication, Murray State University
Job history: Current: Metro Councilmember, District 12; Current: Account manager for data breach and identity theft solutions; Past (financial services marketing), senior director, insurance communications; senior director, performance solutions; client training manager; senior product and sales trainer; State of Tennessee: Legislative assistant, TN General Assembly; part-time faculty: University School of Nashville; English teacher, Orange County Public Schools
Family: Married to Billy for almost 20 years and have 2 cats (Spike and Samson)
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running for re-election because this term delivered so many massive challenges between our early financial issues, the tornado, COVID, the Second Avenue bombing and the Covenant School tragedy that there has been a lower capacity to focus on some very specific issues that can improve the quality of life for area residents. In short, there's unfinished business, and I want to keep on pursuing solutions that will help Hermitage.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Figuring out how to connect people experiencing homelessness to services and housing. Homelessness and encampments have increased in the suburbs and currently all of the services are located in downtown Nashville.
Identifying improvements for making development less painful for the current residents that surround new construction.
Creating more ways for area residents to engage on important issues. I already publish a weekly newsletter and hold meetings. I'd like to take my communication to another level to really inform residents on what's going on in our immediate district and also in Metro Government.
District 13
Russ Bradford (incumbent, unopposed)
Russ Bradford
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 13
Age: 38
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Donelson
Education: B.S. in wildlife and fisheries management, Mississippi State University
Job history: Quality Control and Assurance Manager, Cognosante LLC
Family: Partnered
Why are you running for this office?
Because of the work we’ve done together, our district is starting to see improvements and I believe there is still much more work we can to do improve the quality of life for our community and the city and that is why I’ve seeking a second term.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Civic Investments: For the last four years I’ve been working with the Nashville Public Library and the administration to get funding for a new library to be in the heart of the East Thompson/Briley community. This is an underserved community that will greatly benefit from the access to library services and serve as an anchor for the community. Also, our community desperately needs more sidewalks and traffic calming, I will continue to advocate and push for those investments.
Beneficial Development: We are amid a housing and affordability crises and desperately need more housing options to come online, however, we must be focused on quality and not just quantity. Our communities should always be included in the development conversations. The last thing we need is out of town developers coming in and bullying their way into our neighborhoods. I’ve worked to mediate between developers and the community to ensure that development will bring as little negative impact as possible while providing beneficial improvements such as sidewalks, traffic calming etc.
Sustainability: Middle Tennessee is about to lose access to our only landfill. We as a city have not paid much attention to this emergency. Our city throws away so much that could be recycled, reused, or composted.There needs to be a bigger focus on improving recycling efficiency and diverting construction and yard debris. We must improve access to recycling and compost services and invest in new technologies to help cut down on contamination. I’ve been working with our district beautification commissioner to have monthly neighborhood clean ups to help cut down on the litter we see in our neighborhoods.
District 14
Jordan Huffman
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 14
Age: 36
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Hermitage
Education: Bachelor of Science (political Science, criminal justice) : East Tennessee State University, 2009
Job history: Director of product management, I2I Population Health
Family: Wife - Lesley, Son - Will, Dogs - Lily and Penny
Why are you running for this office?
My campaign message is simple. I am running to restore a sense of community to our city. We have catered for far too long to the tourism industry at the expense of our citizens. My experience in government relations and politics along with my background in neighborhood organizing have positioned me to be an effective Metro Councilman.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?*
Addressing our city’s crumbling infrastructure (additional sidewalks, protected crosswalks/bike lanes, road repair, funding for our schools in dire need of repair, stormwater issues, expanding transit options, increased green space, etc).
Creating community-focused economic opportunities. We must partner with folks that have the community’s goals in mind. I have a vision to create a “Downtown Hermitage” in my first term. This area will include the current police station, library and community center. The entire area will be surrounded by shops, restaurants, living spaces, etc. all connected by sidewalks for our community to enjoy. I envision this area will also be a home to outdoor concerts along with a farmers’ market in the summer months.
Keep our community safe. This starts with opening our Metro Nashville Police Department Antioch Precinct. Having an additional Precinct in a high-density area will ensure that the patrol officers assigned to the Hermitage Precinct can focus on a more succinct coverage area. We also need to increase funding for the MNPD. Our police department is one of the finest in the country. It’s past time we pay them accordingly. Starting pay for officers must increase so that MNPD can continue to recruit top talent. Increased funding will also allow for additional Crisis Intervention Officers to ensure that our patrol officers are focused in the right areas. For further information on my platform, visit huffmanformetro.com/priorities
RJ Mamula
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 14
Age: 43
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Donelson
Education: BA/M Purdue University
Job history: Currently work as an inventory auditor for Under Armour and I do taxes for H & R Block
Family: Single
Why are you running for this office?
I want to make Nashville a city that works for everyone.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I want to tackle homelessness and the affordable housing crisis. I also want to direct tourists dollars toward relieving the burden of Nashville taxpayers.
District 15
Jeff Gregg
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 15
Age: 63
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Donelson Hills
Education: Trevecca Nazarene University, Master of Arts Marriage and Family Therapy; Amberton University, Master of Business Administration; Aquinas College, Bachelor of Science Business Administration
Job history: Lantern Lane Farm Counseling, executive director and therapist under supervision, April 2021 to present. Creative Artists Agency, senior talent agent, June 1997- September 2020. Vanguard Entertainment, president, December 1993- June 1997
Family: The coolest dog in the world, Charlie
Why are you running for this office?
I’m excited about the prospect of representing District 15 at City Hall. I’m running to help preserve and build upon what makes Donelson, Pennington Bend, and City Side a uniquely good place for families, businesses, and visitors. My background as an entrepreneur, business owner, community leader, and advocate has given me the needed experience to serve effectively on the council. I’ve called District 15 home since moving to Nashville in 1996.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Pragmatic economic development/infrastructure improvements: District 15 is a thriving community, and businesses are beginning to see our community as an excellent investment opportunity. I plan to support economic development/Infrastructure improvements in the following way:
Ensure that economic development is equitable throughout District 15
Renovating and investing in areas that need revitalization
Increased investment in mass transit and neighborhood infrastructure (greenways,
sidewalks, and bike lanes).
Quality of life: Identify factors and attributes needed to ensure that all residents can thrive:
Investing in the well-being and safety of every citizen in District 15
Understanding the needs and concerns of those living and working in District 15
Seeking solutions to problems that benefit each and every stakeholder in District 15
Affordable housing: Affordable housing has a lot of misconceptions; one of them is that affordable housing development is for those who need public assistance. That is not true; affordable housing is for our teachers, police officers, young musicians, creatives, and other hard-working citizens just trying to make ends meet. I support making our neighborhoods more inclusive and representative of those living and working in Nashville.
Dan Jones
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 15
Age: 65
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Donelson
Education: B.A. in journalism/advertising - Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana
Job history: U.S. Navy, ad agency account executive, commercial photographer, tv station production manager, national cable tv producer, 3-Time Emmy® award winner, newspaper columnist, voice over artist, marketing director and media relations manager.
Family: I’ve been happily married for 36 years and we raised our 3 children to be self-sustaining adults.
Why are you running for this office?
Political choice is not just good, it’s imperative to a true democracy. Since I’ve moved here, all I’ve heard is “There are never any conservative candidates to vote for.” Indeed, in my district, my opponent seemed to be running unopposed. If elected, I will be the alternative, conservative leaning choice for my district and in the Metro City Council.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Cut wasteful spending, fix the pot holes, and vote against property tax increases.
District 16
Alexa Little
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 16
Age: 42
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Radnor
Education: M.Ed., Tennessee State University
Job history: Entrepreneur, property manager, Zumba instructor
Family: Hubs: William Anderson Little, COO of The Wilson Group Real Estate Services and lawn guru. Children: Stepkids- Anders Little and Kylan Little, one bossy cat appropriately named The Mayor, and a mess ofchickens. Brothers: Elliott Otto Jepson of Saint Augustine, Florida, a Strategy and Innovation Manager for Schneider Electric & Gabriel Anthony Herndon of Nashville, an Application Developer at Vanderbilt Vaccine Center. Mother: Dee Ann Walker - Reinvigorator and founder of the Historic Germantown neighborhood and one of its longest residents. Father: Joseph Lucian Herndon, Architectural Historian and Restoration Specialist of Historic Germantown, Rugby, TN, and Nashville's Union Station. His thesis on Architects of Tennessee is still a valued reference at the TN Historical Commission. Father: Dr. Norman Kortner Nygard – Founder of GeroPsych and Tennessee Eden Alternative Coalition, which has been recognized by the state legislature and given annual grants for improving the lives ofnursing home residents in TN for the past 25 years.
Why are you running for this office?
Nashville is in my blood. I grew up in Germantown when no one wanted to be there. It was a ghost town after 5 pm and my own personal playground for much of my adolescence. I remember having birthday parties, and my friends would call to tell me they got off on the Jefferson Street exit, and their parents made them turn around and go home.
In 1978, My parents bought most of the properties in the 1200 block of 5th Ave North in what was to become Germantown. Several buildings were slated for demolition, and the entire neighborhood was destined to become Nashville's industrial dumping grounds. They spent many years fighting to save historic structures and sidewalks while promoting Germantown as a safe and fun place to live. They changed the zoning from IR to MUL. They advocated for police presence, and stop signs, helped start Nashville's Oktoberfest, and even laid down in front of bulldozers when Metro wanted to put an auto emissions test site on the 1200 block of 5th Ave N where The Germantown Cafe sits today. It took lots of hard work and late nights, but they had a shared vision for the neighborhood: one filled with families, restaurants, and corner shops, paving the way for what it is today. Parts of the neighborhood are still called the Joseph L. Herndon Subdivision on the parcel maps, and my brother, Elliott, shares his name with The Elliott School on 6th & Madison, where my mother resides today.
Nashville has had immense growth over the last 10 years. It has boomed so much that going out for seafood no longer means having catfish. Unfortunately, much of our residents' needs were pushed aside during that time, and it's time to refocus our attention on our neighborhoods. District 16, in particular, sits in a very opportunistic position. With primarily single homes per lot, easy access to all major interstates, and just south of the new MLS stadium, change is already inching its way down Nolensville Pike in our direction. Our community knows it's coming and could benefit by getting ahead of that change, steering it to ensure it fits our shared goals for the future.
As a business owner and manager, I have the skill set needed to lead. I am a people person and know how to keep calm and level-headed in times of crisis. Growing up with a psychologist in the house taught me about critical thinking and cognitive reasoning. I approach things logically and with an open mind.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Traffic calming
Steering the inevitable change currently creeping our way, ensuring District 16's needs are considered as development inevitably happens.
Ginny Welsch
Which office are your seeking? Metro Council District 16
Age: 64
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Flatrock
Education: B.S. Communications - Tennessee State University
Job history: CURRENT Co-founder and executive director, WRFN-LP Radio Free Nashville; Executive assistant - Space Inch Custom Software; Voice over artist (including audio books) Metro Council Member, district 16 FORMER: On air personality and News Director at Lightning 100, WJXA-FM, Oldies 93.6, and WZEZ-FM; BOARD SERVICE Community Shares Tennessee Exchange Club Family Center Tennessee Health Care Campaign Nashville Peace and Justice Center (chair) Americans United (chair) VOLUNTEER SERVICE Walk Bike Nashville Remote Area Medical Clinic Rape and Sexual Abuse Center Crisis Intervention Center Hands On Nashville Red Cross St. Luke’s Community House VISTA--Cohn Adult Learning Center AFFILIATIONS Sag-Aftra
Family: Husband: Songwriter Mike Muldoon Children: cheese monger Michelle Muldoon, data analyst Brogan Muldoon, software developer Zak Monnet (son-in-law)
Why are you running for this office?
Because I want to finish what I started. I ran the first time because I knew our priorities needed to change in Nashville and I wanted to be a part of that change. I've been working on affordable housing and homelessness issues this term, trying to streamline and refine processes so we can get more people housed more quickly, and more easily use existing spaces that could provide shelter but right now aren't eligible to be used for housing purposes. With COVID, a tornado, a derecho, two floods and a bombing, everything got slowed down, and I don't feel like I was able to accomplish all I set out to. So I'm running to see these things through. Plus, there is absolutely nothing better than the feeling you get when you can help someone navigate Metro and get their problem solved. It's just a great feeling.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I will continue to work on homelessness and affordable housing, two issues that are inextricably intertwined and have a major impact on our wellbeing and quality of life in Nashville. We desperately need more housing in general, and affordable housing in particular, and the only way we're going to get there is if we increase our housing stock. We are 50,000 housing units under what is needed to serve this city, and that has to change. I ran on and stand by intentional growth, which is what I've done in my district. That is the key to being able to systemically address homelessness and getting all our citizens housed.
District 17
Tonya Esquibel
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 17
Age: 52
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Music Row / Edgehill
Education: Bachelor's in Christian leadership Trevecca Nazarene University
Job history: I am in the top 1% of loan officers in the country and have been helping families achieve the American dream by building wealth through home ownership for 28 years. I am extremely passionate abouthelping others and am proud to say I have effectively changed thousands of lives throughout my career.
Family: Outside of Tonya's career life, she dedicates her time to being a loving wife and mother! She met her husband Danny back in Texas and they have been together for 33 years! They have two children, a son (33) and a daughter (30) who both live here in Tennessee. They recently added a new addition, an adorable granddaughter who just turned two years old. Being a mother and now a grandmother is truly one of the greatest gifts she has experienced in her life at home.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for District 17 councilwoman so I can make a positive impact within my own community locally in Nashville. I want to focus our efforts on first responders, roads, growing sustainably, and putting our community first. We are blessed to have such amazing growth here in Middle Tennessee, but we need to put our best foresight and planning into this exponential growth. We need someone to be available to help solve problems and have a knowledge of the network of the people that can effectively fix those problems. I am the person for this responsibility.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I aim to foster a strong and supportive community, it's crucial to prioritize active listening and open communication. This involves engaging in meaningful conversations with community members prior to passing any decisions or policies. Additionally, ensuring the safety of our community requires providing proper support to our police department. By prioritizing these efforts, we can build a safer and more cohesive community for everyone to thrive in.
Teaka Jackson
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 17
Age: Millennial
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? I am a native of Nashville - Davidson County. A lifelong resident of District 17; spanning three generations. My family’s legacy has over 60 years of history in the neighborhood.
Education: I am a product of Metro Nashville Public Schools. I am a graduate of Tennessee State University, where I double majored, earning my Bachelor of Science degrees in pre-law criminal justice and psychology.
Job history: After graduating college, I began my legal profession quickly elevating within my career earning the title of senior litigation paralegal. With over ten years of experience in this role, I assist but not limited to; conducting legal research, drafting and reviewing legal documents, policy work, document management, attending court proceedings, and providing legal support in all aspects. As a senior litigation paralegal, I serve as an indispensable part of the legal system, where I have provided support to independent attorneys, law firms, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies in all phases of the litigation lifecycle, from court hearings, trial preparation, and appeals. In addition, I am a Tennessee Supreme Court civil and victim-offender mediator. Also, Suicide Prevention Certified by the Department of Mental Health for both adults and youth. I am the sole founder of Love Thy Neighbors. An organization geared towards engaging the community through programming, events and initiatives that will aid in providing education, tools, resources and opportunities to various marginalized groups.
Family: I am a proud daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, and cousin to my beloved family.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Metro Council District 17 because I truly care and value the people, business and stakeholders that encompass the neighborhood. I have been advocating and championing for our diversified community for many years. As a lifelong resident, my connection to District 17 is personal. I am invested. District 17 is home!
With a proven track record; I have been consistently involved and engaged within District 17 for two decades building healthy relationships and coalitions. The people of District 17 need someone in the Metro Council who will continue to advocate, support, and champion their concerns while uplifting and elevating all voices. District 17 deserves a transparent leader who is dedicated to engaging the community while focusing on affordable, safe and a high quality place to live and work. As a community supporter, a non-profit leader and legal professional with a background in government, policy work, and civic engagement I will use the experience to continue to better serve my community - and the residents of District 17.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
If I am elected the top three priorities for my new term in office would be the concerns of the people. Prior to announcing my candidacy I had the pleasure of conversing with several neighbors and local business owners who make up District 17. Although I did not get to meet with everyone in the district. The overall consensus was the following:
Affordability
Public safety
Quality place to work and live
Terry Vo
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 17
Age: 38
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Chestnut Hill
Education: University of Arkansas- Bachelor of Arts, international relations and a minor in Japanese Business Orientation | University of Queensland- Master of governance and public policy
Job history: I've worked in the private, public, and government sectors. I started my career in Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. Then, I moved to Nashville to work at the Consulate-General of Japan. Then I did International and Community Affairs Consulting, worked on the Jeremy Kane for Mayor Campaign, and then was at Comcast for nearly 7 years.
Family: I am very proud to be a child of Vietnamese immigrants. I have four siblings, four nieces and two nephews.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office for two reasons:
District 17 has been my Nashville home since I moved to the city in 2009. I care about my neighbors, neighborhood, and city. I have worked on solving problems at the neighborhood, city, regional, and state level both personally and professionally and have been successful. I've made positive change at the neighborhood level and ready to make positive change at the district level.
There is zero API representation in the current Metro Council, and I want to ensure that the API community has a voice beginning next term and will work hard to ensure that many more API leaders come after me.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
If I am elected, my top priorities include safety, affordability, and infrastructure/transit.
District 18
Tom Cash
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 18
Age: 55
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Hillsboro West End
Education: Hillsboro, UTK (English), MTSU (Curriculum and Instruction)
Job history: Teacher Hillsboro (1994-2002), Hume-Fogg (2002-2019), Learning Lab
Family: Wife, Melissa, a preschool teacher at Belmont Weekday School, son Hayden a UTK junior, Ella, and MLK sophomore
Why are you running for this office?
To serve our neighborhoods. I spent 15 years as a neighborhood leader and chair (7 years) of HWEN. I love the community I grew up in and want to protect and enhance. I want to be a voice for funding our schools. I've had a good first term and want to continue working on "planted seeds" on street safety and improvements, child care, diversity on boards and commissions. I'm ready to be "an upperclassman" and take a bigger leadership role in guiding the Council. We are losing much institutional memory and I'm ready to use and expand what I've learned about government and built in relationships to move Nashville forward.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Improve pay for Metro and MNPS employees, continue NDOT safety improvements and better infrastructure, expand child care options, especially for Metro/MNPS employees,
Angus Purdy
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 18
Age: 43
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Hillsboro-West End
Education: Vanderbilt University B.A. in history as a non-traditional graduate in 2020
Job history: Small business owner
Family: Spouse, Molly Claiborne, three children in MNPS schools
Why are you running for this office?
Neighbors approached me to consider running for this office to offer a more progressive voice for our District; a voice focused on working-class issues and advocating for a Nashville for Nashvillians. They are tired of using tax dollars to fund playgrounds for tourists and are concerned about affordable housing, pedestrian/cyclist safety, education, and fair pay for civic employees. They want better and more consistent communication from their representative.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Safer streets and sidewalks for pedestrians and cyclists
Proper budgeting allocation for Metro Nashville Public Schools, transit, mental healthcare, and city services
Expansion of environmentally-conscious city services and smarter waste management
Addressing our need for expanded affordable housing, including enforcing restrictions on short-term rentals
District 19
Jasper Hendricks, III
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 19
Age: 45
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Downtown/Gulch
Education: Prince Edward County High School (Farmville, VA)Political Science/Public Administration - Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA)
Job history: Currently self-employed public affairs and organizational management consultant. Previously served as an outreach adviser to presidential and congressional campaigns since 2000, a senior aide to three members of Congress, national director of youth and college voter empowerment at the NAACP, and national director of field and political programs at the National Black Justice Coalition.
Family: Single
Why are you running for this office?
As a resident of District 19, I am running for this office because I believe in our potential to collectively create a more prosperous, equitable, safe, and vibrant community for the people of Nashville's 19th District. As a lifelong public servant, I have seen firsthand the power of dedicated representation to create meaningful change and drive progress for the betterment of all citizens. I am passionate about ensuring that our district has a strong voice on the Metropolitan Nashville Council, advocating for the needs and priorities of our diverse and dynamic community.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
As a member of the Nashville Metro Council, my primary focus will be:
Public Safety: Advocate investing more in community-based programming to deter violence →Help keep Nashville a fun destination yet ensure that we keep our neighborhoods safe
Accessibility: Focus on smart and responsible development that connects communities with downtown →Protecting sidewalks, bike/scooter lanes, and crossings
Affordability: Create workforce housing for Music City Heroes who work in public service for state/local government that allows them to live in the communities they work →Provide support to small business owners that allow them to increase their profit margin and pay livable wages while increasing profit
Jacob Kupin
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 19
Age: 30
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Historic Buena Vista
Education: I graduated Belmont University with a double major in Music Business and Entrepreneurship
Job history: I have been a residential Realtor for the last seven years, and I formed my team in 2020. Prior to that I worked in the music industry in a variety of roles including artist management, live events, and talent/audience coordination. Throughout that time, I have sat on a number of non-profit boards and developed multiple community groups. I currently run my real estate team with my wife and serve as the Historic Buena Vista Neighborhood Association President.
Family: I am married to my wonderful wife Hayley who keeps me grounded every day. We have multiple rescue cats and are excited to welcome children in the future. We are both excited that our parents are also moving to town over the next year, while my sister lives in Miami.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Metro Council in District 19 because I believe our city is at a crossroads, where we can either build positively upon years of growth or negatively lose sight of our identity. While much of the growth has been positive, we have lost touch with the needs and wants of our residents, and have begun to lose our identity as a city. It is important to me to have a seat at the decision-making table, bringing people together for a safe, clean, and successful Nashville.
During my 10-plus years in Nashville, I have served as District 19’s representative to the participatory budget and as the Buena Vista Neighborhood Association president. I have volunteered on multiple boards and with animal rescue organizations. Throughout my time here, I have prioritized building bridges and deepening community. Using my deep experience working with organizations to improve operations, build stakeholder engagement, and increase constituent listening and response, I know I’d be an effective and attentive councilmember.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My top three priorities on Council will be:
Develop and maintain income aligned housing so that all residents can find Nashville to be a safe and affordable place to live.
Put a strong focus on constituent services and work through the list of residential needs that developed over the last few years. This includes things like street maintenance, traffic calming, neighborhood development, beautification, and other needs that the residents and businesses have expressed.
Navigate growth in a smart way with supportive infrastructure - I’ll do this with clear communication to all who are impacted and work to develop supportive infrastructure so that the projects are successful for everyone. We have the opportunity to do a really great job as a community and a city but we need to make sure the projects are developed in a well-rounded way and that we support the growth we have already sustained.
Jonathan Turner
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 19
Age: 57
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Downtown
Education: Bachelors of Science from Belmont University
Job history: Principal of EllisAmerica / Self-employed
Family: Single
Why are you running for this office?
As a native (born and raised) of the Nashville area, I have seen the progress that our city and community has made over the past handful of decades. I believe Nashvillians need to know where we have come from in order to find the path to move forward for our amazing city. I bring to the table an understanding of our history, which reflects on the past, experience within our thriving business community, as well as advocating for compassionate causes that benefit all in our community.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I would focus on the following:
Infrastructure
Funding for emergency services
Affordable housing
District 20
Scott Gillihan
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 20
Age: 64
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? The Nations
Education: B.A. from the University of Missouri. Majored in English and sociology.
Job history: I worked in warehouse for 35 years including 21 years at Gibson Guitars. Now I work for the Cumberland River Compact in tree maintenance.
Family: My wife Jan and our little dog Champ.
Why are you running for this office?
I have some specific ideas to make West Nashville a cleaner, greener and more livable part of town.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I want to upgrade our public buildings: fire company 23, the Richland Park library, and the West Park community center. I want Metro to use its buy out program to purchase flood prone properties. Like on Charlotte across from West Precinct and 63rd and Morrow Road. I also want plant trees at Cockrill School.
Rollin Horton
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 20
Age: 33
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Our family lives in The Nations neighborhood in West Nashville.
Education: Illinois State University, University of Connecticut School of Law
Job history: For the last four years, I’ve worked as an attorney for a large bank here in Nashville, working on business and financial law issues, before which I was in private practice focusing on corporate and partnership taxation. While not some of the most glamorous aspects of Metro Council, I think these skills are necessary to both understand and address many of the complex tax and budgetary issues facing our city.
Family: My wife, Samantha, and I have been married for five years. We live in the Nations neighborhood in West Nashville with our new puppy, Lady, and our cat, Marie.
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running to address the concerns that our family and our neighbors share for the future of our district and for our city, issues that shape our everyday lives here in West Nashville. A simple walk to the corner store can feel dangerous due to the lack of sidewalks and crosswalks on our busy roads and intersections, while development processes too often appear to cater to a small share of people while ignoring our neighborhoods’ needs and interests. Rather than hoping someone else might have the necessary energy and drive, I decided to step up and run for council myself to work for these priorities.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Sidewalks: Creating a more walkable and pedestrian-friendly community in our district will be a priority of mine in Metro Council. In addition to increasing safety for pedestrians, sidewalks and other features will create more vibrant and connected neighborhoods, reduce unnecessary automobile traffic, and unlock new corridors for economic potential and local business growth.
Education: Our neighborhoods’ access to quality education is an essential component of a thriving community. Our neighborhood schools should be an attractive asset of our community that both appeals to and retains families. We must ensure that our Nashville public schools are fully and adequately funded, foster relationships between our schools and community groups, and sponsor after-school activities for our students.
Public Safety: Public safety is non-negotiable for our neighborhoods and our city. While our district has experienced tremendous growth and momentum, we have also confronted continued property and violent crime. This problem cannot be solved without a fully staffed and funded police force. Our city's investment in policing should be paired with policies that continue to nurture and build community trust in the police and expand on initiatives to address mental health crises outside of the traditional criminal justice process.
District 21
Jamel R. Campbell-Gooch
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 21
Age: 33
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? North Nashville -37208
Education: Campbell-Gooch attended Cumberland elementary school and Buena Vista and John Early middle school. In 2007 Jamel graduated from East Literature Magnet High School. In 2015 Campbell-Gooch graduated from Tennessee State University, where he dedicated his studies to researching his family lineage.
Job history: Jamel worked at Foot Locker 2006 - 2012. After graduating from Tennessee State University, Jamel Campbell-Gooch began working in the social justice sector of the non-profit industry and working closely with the community. During the day, he worked at Pearl-Cohn High School. Campbell-Gooch held restorative justice circles with students who experienced the highest suspension rates as a form of violence prevention and restorative justice. His work at Pearl Cohn significantly decreased school suspensions and fostered school safety. After school, he worked with elementary and middle schoolers at Easley Community Center. Jamel works at the Southern Movement Committee as the organizing director.
Family: Jamel Campbell-Gooch's first ancestors arrived in the Carolina territory, now Middle Tennessee, in 1794, two years before Tennessee became a state. His ancestors were brought to this country simultaneously as many other prominent families that dominate the economic landscape of both Tennessee, the South, the United States, and the world. Still, their material conditions and wealth are incomparable. After his ancestors gained their freedom, they migrated to North Nashville where many of his family members still live today. Campbell-Gooch’s family share a rich history with North Nashville, with many of his family members graduating from Pearl High and attending Tennessee State University in the 1960s and early 70s.
Why are you running for this office?
I know what it is like to be targeted by police, suspended from schools, and see family members incarcerated. My family has been forced to deal with the impact of targeted policing and incarceration. Yet, I also know how public education and community resources can give Black boys dealing with the impact of systemic racism the tools that we need to become the leaders that fight for racial and economic justice. My work is driven by faith in our capacity to work together to build communities that address systemic violence while implementing a collective vision centered on our dignity and humanity.
I know what it is like to work long hours and choose between groceries and medicine. I know what it is like to work two jobs to make ends meet. I see the role access to affordable housing can play in addressing the displacement of Black and working-class families. Because while my family has been displaced, I was welcomed back to District 21 through the Affordable Housing program. I have stood with Black and working-class families for decades and fought in Black and muli-racial coalitions and youth-centered organizations to transform Nashville.
I am running because District 21 needs an organizer and fighter willing to put people over profit. I am running because we need a fighter who will support legislation to increase affordable housing, ensure every student has the necessary tools and resources, and invest in community-driven public safety. I am running to build democracy in Nashville, starting in District 21.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Addressing the rising cost of living and its impact on families in my district will be my top priority. Working-class families are being forced out of District 21 because it is unaffordable, and many families are forced to live in poverty. The intentional lack of investment in District 21 has made our district one of the highest incarcerated zip codes in the country and a place where families are separated by systemic racism and intracommunity harm.
I will work with my constituents using participatory democracy to develop housing and public safety policies that make significant investments in District 21. I will pilot a Guaranteed Basic Income. to address the rising cost of living. I will host regular community meetings and town halls to rebuild District 21. Additionally, I will use these forums to begin conversations around the Major League Baseball stadium that is being proposed and put together a list of demands and terms to make sure current and recently displaced residents can stay in District 21.
Brandon Taylor
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 21
Age: 40
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? North Nashville
Education: University of Memphis
Job history: Fundraising professional | Diversity & Inclusion consultant
Family: Wife Damita and son on the way, Preston
Why are you running for this office?
That’s exactly it: I’m running for this office. A lot of people run against things, but I’m running for District 21, and for the community that I serve. When I first ran four years ago, we were at a pivotal moment where people needed representation, and I think I’ve provided that. There are also things in progress that I’d like to finish, because it takes a long time to get things done in this system. A big accomplishment from my first term was reducing criminal justice fines and fees by about 75%. That took two years. If you’ve ever watched a big battleship turning in the ocean, it can take days just to reverse direction and chart the right course. We’re in the midst of that now – we are charting our new course and heading that way. I’d like to keep pushing forward for my community
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Many of the items I've prioritized over the last four years remain priorities. Infrastructure investments, battling illegal dumping, and smart growth and development. These are all priorities that I worked on in my first term and yet remain priorities to the constituents of District 21. Each of these items take time to correct and to move them forward, and we will need not only my experience as a Councilmember but the assistance of the community as we work to see these priorities through.
As for the entire city, affordable housing and transit remains a priority. I remember in forums and conversations four years ago, these two items topped the priority list. These are areas that we must move the needle on in the coming term. We have to find creative ways to assist with the development and creation of low-income, affordable, and workforce housing options - work toward mixed-income housing. We also need to formulate a concrete plan of how we are going to attack the transit issue. Before we can move forward, we must have a plan that is agreed upon by the new mayor and the city council.
District 22
Sheri Weiner
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 22
Age: 67
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Bellevue
Education: University of Florida; AuD, Audiology, August 2001; University of Tennessee; M.A., Audiology, 1979; University of Georgia; B.S.Ed., Communication Disorders, 1978
Job History: I started Hearing Services of Tennessee as a consulting audiology practice offering hearing care services in ENT offices and had the opportunity to help many prominent pop, rock, jazz, and country music artists with monitors and brought the world of sound back to the hearing impaired. I built my part-time practice into a multi-location business, which I sold to help my father with my mom's diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Now I offer insight and consultative support to practice owners through my affiliation with Champion One Group as Vice President of Training and Development. I am also the author of “The Practice Kitchen - Clinical Audiology Practice Management.”
Family: I am the proud mother of Alison and Andrea, mother-in-law of Chuck and Kevin, and grandmother (best job ever) of Brayden and Leo. I am also the proud "dog mom" to my rescue dogs, Foster and Shay.
Why are you running for this office?
From 2011 to 2019, I prioritized listening to my constituents and fulfilling the wish list items I was elected to do. Bellevue residents want a say in how we grow, just as we did when our Community Character Plan was adopted. They want responsive representation to continue with opportunities for robust conversation and subsequent action. It is my honor to be considered to make Bellevue the best it can be.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Adoption of an Updated Community Character Plan with a review of all inactive SPs.
Collaborative community engagement building on past achievements as we look to the future needs of Bellevue.
Encourage community conversations, listening and learning about one another as we seek common ground to address issues we face.
District 23
Thom Druffel
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 23
Age: 71
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? West Meade
Education: B.S. Hotel Management- Florida State University, M.B.A Finance- California State University Long Beach, Doctoral Candidate Higher Education-MTSU, 25% completed
Job history:
Education & Community, 2015-Current
Councilman District 23- for 2019-2023 Metro Nashville Council: Committee’s include chair of the Human Services Committee, Education Committee, Budget Finance, Homeless Oversight chair, Chair Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Career Exploration.
Director of Hospitality & Tourism- Nashville State Community College, August 2022 to current.
Tennessee State University: Adjunct Professor, Chair of the Advisory Board for the Hospitality & Tourism Program and on the College of Business Advisory Board, Led the development of the TSU
Hospitality Program as a concentration for a B.S. Degree in Business Administration. 2015-2022
Hotel Industry, 1974-2021
General Manager for 18 years (2002-2021): Holiday Inn Vanderbilt (InterContinental Hotels Group), responsible for staffing, budgets, financial projections, marketing, sales and capital improvement
plans.
Director of Operations for 2 years (1999-2002): Staybridge Suites (InterContinental Hotels Group): Initial Operations Director, managed and developed a national portfolio of 24 hotels.
VP of Operations for HomeGate (Prime Hospitality): Initial Operations VP for 2 years (1997-1999): Developed and managed a national portfolio of 42 hotels from start up. Responsible for all operations
aspects, oversight of development and branding.
Regional VP of Residence Inn by Marriott, Southeast (Marriott Hotels) for 18 years (1979-1997): Responsible for management of 32 hotels & General Managers and support of franchise hotel
operations. Worked my way up within Marriott hotels from entry management positions. Hotel experiences include the Downtown Chicago Marriott, Marina del Rey Marriott, Anaheim Marriott, Irvine Marriott.
Desk Manager & Food & Beverage Cost Controller for 2 years (1977-1979) Westin St, Francis, San Francisco. Selected as a Management Trainee out of college. Worked through the training and into
Front Desk Manager and Food & Beverage Cost Controller.
Family: Married to my best friend Margie going on 40 years, former attorney, Realtor and president of Ladies of Charity, three children, Sean works at Vandy McGugin Center, Daughter Meaghan- first grade teacher at Mountain View in Antioch and married to Caleb Jones, Army Veteran in college, Son Andy- Healthcare Attorney
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for re-election as Council Member for District 23 because I have so much more I want to do. There are multiple facets to this position. One, is the neighborhood aspect. I live in West Meade, and I want to respond to my neighbors in my district when they need help. Whether it is a power outage, a clogged ditch causing water to flood a yard or a zoning question, I try to be responsive and helpful. When a derecho storm shut power for days, I was going up and down the streets in our area to locate NES workers to get updates on repairs, and delivered food to elderly who could not use the food in their refrigerators. We have started district beautification, the Friends of West Meade Hills committee and the safety committee, and we hold an annual Santa on a Firetruck that goes throughout the district.
Building a close neighborhood and taking care of my constituents is important to me. I like being available to my neighbors and want to continue to respond when needed. The other aspect of the council’s position is the citywide issues that we face. Matters like property taxes, homelessness and development, stadiums and traffic are critical as we grow.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I am genuinely concerned about our city’s infrastructure and traffic issues. While development has exploded throughout the city, we have not done a good job staying ahead of traffic. Density has increased but the lanes of major thoroughfares are not widened. Traffic lights are not timed. We need to develop mass transit that actually works for us. Along the same lines, we have failing infrastructure. Our bridges and water facilities are aging and need immediate attention. Money coming into the city from development needs to go toward these vital components that all Nashvillians use.
Stormwater in our neighborhoods continues to be a development related issue as well. Increased density and impervious surfaces have altered water flow, and I fear flooding in our future if action is not taken.
Education and workforce development are especially important issues. A successful city has excellent schools and opportunities for its youth. For the first time we have fully funded MNPS. I know that is not enough, as teachers struggle daily to address the educational and emotional needs of their diverse student body. As our students go through MNPS, I want them to see opportunities in their future, whether it be college or a trade. I have served on the Chamber's Report Card Committee, NAZA Executive Leadership and am currently Chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Youth Career Exploration to identify summer programming options that provide our youth greater exposure to career paths and provide comprehensive skills such as financial management.
The final priority is that we need to remain focused on making Nashville function for the people who live and work here. Visitors and tourists spend their money here, and that provides funding for our programs. But we are the backbone of this city, and we need to have access to safe streets, parking, transportation, recreation, parks, schools, etc. Our citizens are our top priority.
Lisa Williams
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 23
Age: 49
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Belle Meade Links
Education: Crichton College and the University of Memphis
Job history: Most recently SAHM, in the past I worked in medical research at VUMC, technology transfer at NASA Ames Research Center, and Digital marketing with QuinStreet
Family: I am married and have two children
Why are you running for this office?
I see Nashville at a crossroads and want to be sure we are choosing carefully how we build our city for the future.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
We need to continue to lower the tax rate, support small businesses and ensure that our city services are provided appropriately
District 24
Brenda Gadd
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 24
Age: 43
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? I live in the Richland West End neighborhood in beautiful District 24. Our neighborhood is a community of diverse faiths and families, nestled between Sylvan Park on one side and Elmington Park on the other side in west Nashville.
Education: Nothing replaces the education that lived experiences can give you but I was fortunate to earn a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College (I was the first in my family to graduate college). In Nashville, Iearned my law degree from Nashville School of Law at night.
Job history:
2017 to Present – President of Rethink Public Strategies2014 to 2017 – Public policy director of Tennessee Bar Association2014 – Campaign manager of Tennessee Fair Courts campaign and for Supreme Court Justices Clark, Lee and Wade2010 to 2014 -- Vice president of CivicPoint, the government relations affiliate of Nashville law firm Frost Brown Todd LLP2007 to 2010 – Legislative liaison for Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and for Governor Phil Bredesen’s administration2005 to 2007 – Research analyst for Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee for Tennessee General Assembly2003 to 2005 – Chief of staff for Sen. Tommy Kilby, Tennessee General Assembly2002 – Intern and temporary staff for U.S. House of Representatives1999 to 2003 – Co-Founder and Co-Director of Appalachian Food Pantry
Family: I am married to my partner Floyd Shechter. His sons, Matt and Neal, and their respective wives, Sarah and Lauren, welcomed me as a part of the family. There are five beautiful grandchildren as a part of the Shechter family. While the kids and grandkids live out of state we love the travel that brings them back to Nashville or us to them. I am also a very involved Aunt to the amazing Wyatt, Madison, and Grayson. Folks may meet them on the campaign trail along with my Mom, Dad, and brothers and sister in law who are eager to lend a hand. Additional family here in Nashville are my friends who have been a part of my life here over the last twenty years, and I count each of them as a part of my chosen and beloved family.
Why are you running for this office?
My Mom was a school aide, and my Dad ministered to small congregations after a career in the Navy. They taught me that community and family are one in the same, and this lesson never left me. They taught my brothers and me that our community was family.
So this District is my community—and my family. It’s where I met my husband, Floyd Shechter, doing advocacy work to create a more welcoming community for our immigrant neighbors and for those who need affordable housing. It’s where we’ve served with so many neighbors to build the kind of city that works for everyone.
I still believe that the most important work in community building is bringing together people of different backgrounds and opinions to give voice to our common, underlying values. When we’re together, even in the face of discrimination, exclusion and inequality, Nashville is a community that will speak up. We will seek social justice, be a welcoming community, and one that will do the hard things to move our city forward with the values of social, racial, and gender justice. We do this by creating safe neighborhoods for our LGBTQ, immigrant, racial and religious minority neighbors, as we do for all of our families, children and our aging neighbors. We do this by fully funding public education, advancing the funding of affordable housing and expanding the toolkit to build and retain housing, as well as ensuring our safe streets and neighborhood infrastructure. That’s why I’m running.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Support safe, family-friendly infrastructure (sidewalks, safe and reliable transit, greenways, and parks) for District 24 and to support the same investment citywide.
Support investing in people with quality education, attainable housing, and mental health services.
Ensure families have access to safe, affordable child care
Work to establish a permanent council on gender equity and economic security to holding ourselves accountable to the goals of everyone’s success.
District 25
Rolando Toyos (did not fill out Q&A)
David Ackerman
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 25
Age: 62
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Green Hills
Education: B.S. - Freed-Hardeman University and M.S. Vanderbilt University
Job history: Project director with Ellucian
Family: Wife - Donna, Three children - Rachel, Sam, Stephen.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for Council in district 25, because I want to advocate for strong public schools, safe streets that are walkable and a welcoming for new residents and businesses. I believe we can do this while preserving the charm of Green Hills that has made our community so attractive for so long. Together, we can:
Work with the Planning Commission to review zoning in Green Hills in order to allow for responsible growth and to preserve the Green Hills charm that people love.
Encourage more parental involvement in schools to support and hold teachers and administrators accountable.
Advocate for measures that improve traffic flow and public safety, both on and off our streets.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
We must work towards ensuring better means of public transportation for the people of Nashville. Collaborating with the Nashville School Board is necessary to enhance safety measures for our school children and employees. Furthermore, we must explore solutions to make affordable housing accessible to the people of Nashville.
Jeff Preptit
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 25
Age: 30
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Green Hills
Education: I have a law degree from Lincoln Memorial University
Job history: I worked for the Nashville Public Defender for nearly three years before becoming a nonprofit civil rights attorney
Family: I am the youngest of five children and the only one in my family born in the United States. My two sisters also live in Nashville.
Why are you running for this office?
Local elections matter! Nashville has been under attack from the state and we need community leaders who will stand up for Nashville. I have spent my career standing up for the people of Nashville in court and I will continue to do so in the Council Chamber. I am also running to make Nashville a better place and to build a Nashville that feels like home for those who live and work here.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My priorities are to ensure that Nashville has safe and walkable neighborhoods, the highest quality public schools, and invests in local businesses.
District 26
Courtney Johnson (incumbent, unopposed)
Courtney Johnston
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 26
Age: 44
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Crieve Hall
Education: B.S., Finance
Job history: I began my career after college working for Deutsche Bank as a debt reorganization specialist focused on corporate and municipal debt. Then, after many years in catering and hospitality, I opened my own restaurant and catering company that I then sold in 2012. Since then, I've been a Realtor in the Middle Tennessee area.
Family: I'm married to my husband, Danny, since 2017. We have a Westie named Raleigh!
Why are you running for this office?
I'm running to continue the work I began in 2019 advocating for fiscal responsibility, quality and reliable city services and public safety.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Public safety
Traffic calming
Infrastructure improvements
District 27
Robert Nash (incumbent, unopposed)
Robert Nash
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 27
Age: 71
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? South Nash - McMurray Hills, Tusculum, Fairlane Park areas
Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Middle Tennessee State University
Job history: 1972-1977 Self Employed Musician, 1978-2011 sworn member of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department retiring as commander of the East Precinct
Family: My wife Barbara have been married since October 15, 1977. We raised three wonderful children, Amanda 42, Andrew and Diane 32. Andrew passed away of natural causes August of 2014 at the age of 30.
Why are you running for this office?
Nashville has been very good to my family and me. Serving on the Council is an opportunity to give back. My experience with the MNPD budget and having overseen 130 employees provided me with valuable insight into city finances and employee management. I also believe that it is important for Metro's employees and retirees to have voice on the Council. Also, being one of the older members of the Metropolitan Council does give me a greater degree of institutional knowledge of Nashville than many of my colleagues.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Public Safety will continue to be my number one priority. I want to do my part to see the MNPD is staffed and equipped properly. As I noted in my first campaign, I understand that public safety is more than just "cops and robbers." Reducing crime also about our residents having access to good educations, good jobs, decent housing and transportation.
District 28
David Benton
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 28
Age: 62
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Ransom Place Subdivision
Education: I'm a pharmacist.
Job history: I worked as a retail pharmacist over 30 years serving as a preceptor for student interns. I was honored by the Belmont University School of Pharmacy as an Affiliate Faculty member. Early in my career, Iworked for Eli Lilly & Co.
Family: I am married to my wife Lisa and have five adult children.
Why are you running for this office?
I want to work to make sure District 28 grows with Nashville as a whole in an equitable way.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Public safety (i.e. excessive speeding, car thefts, response times)
Infrastructure
Property standards and community amenities.
Travis London
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 28
Age: 28
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? British Woods Apartments
Education: BS
Job history: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travislondon/
Family: One dog and one cat
Why are you running for this office?
Each and every day the cost of living increases while wages do not. The main reason I’m running for this office is because the local government is where the rubber meets the road and the decisions made by the Metro Council often directly affect the lives of Nashvillians. More than half of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck with nothing put aside for emergencies. If your budget is already tight because of inflated grocery bills, rent increases, and corporate greed disguised as inflation, a flat tire because you hit a pothole in the road will set you back an entire paycheck. This city, the mayor, and the Metro Council all have a lot of work to do so that the issues in this city are not piled onto the already stressful lives of everyday Nashvillians.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Roads. As I’ve been talking to my community and collecting signatures for my petition, a majority of my neighbors say that our roads are one of the biggest issues that Nashville should be focused on. Throughout the years as Nashville has grown and expanded, I believe the city has done a poor job at maintaining infrastructure growth at the same rate the city has grown. I will work with the Nashville Department of Transportation to maintain and repair the roads throughout District 28 and the rest of the city.
Bring More Businesses. To achieve this, I will prioritize creating a business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations and reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, I will work towards investing in infrastructure improvements, such as upgrading transportation networks and expanding broadband access, to enhance connectivity and make our district an attractive location for businesses. By collaborating with local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, I will actively seek opportunities to promote our district's unique assets and strengths to potential businesses, showcasing the benefits of establishing roots in our vibrant community. Ultimately, my goal is to create a welcoming and supportive ecosystem that encourages entrepreneurship and brings sustainable economic opportunities to our district.
Public Transportation. South Eastern Davidson County needs more bus routes and bus stops. I will support and advocate for even more public transportation services in South East Nashville by working with neighboring council members to secure funding to build a regional WeGo hub in the Antioch area. Bus route 55, which travels up and down a majority of Murfreesboro Pike, is one of the busiest bus route in the county yet a majority of the stops past Donelson Pike are simply poles in the grass. I will work to secure funding to place benches and shelters to maintain a safe place for riders while they wait for the bus.
District 29
Tasha Ellis
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 29
Age: 38
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? South Nashville / Smith Springs / Percy Priest Lake
Education: MBA
Job history: Founder, Ellis Strategies
Family: None
Why are you running for this office?
I am running to represent our district at City Hall because our voices matter - all of our voices. My top issues will be focused on: 1) Public safety, 2) Early childhood and youth development, and 3) homelessness. And as I talk with more people in our district, my issues will expand and evolve because I am not running to only represent me, I am running to represent our entire council district.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Public safety
Homelessness
Early childhood and youth development
Jama Mohamed
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 29
Age: 33
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Edge-O-Lake
Education: Art Institute of Tennessee - Nashville
Job history: Software developer, disability advocate and live events video technician
Family: When I was 5 years old, my mother and I moved to Nashville, a city that has become our home. Growing up, I was deeply influenced by my mother's tireless effort to manage a small Somali restaurant in an unfamiliar country and raise my sister and I. Her resilience left a lasting impression, inspiring my path and instilling within me an appreciation for my heritage and the values of hard work, perseverance, and resilience. I am happily married to my wife, April, and we have been together for 13 years (married 7). We live in the Edge-O-Lake neighborhood in Nashville, which we are proud to call our home. We have three wonderful children who bring us joy and keep us busy. Our daughter, Thalia, is 14 years old, while our two sons, Ascher and Naeem, are 10 and 5 years old. My family is an important source of inspiration for me in my political endeavors. As a first gen American, it’s bigger than me. A lot of sacrifice and luck has gone into my success.
Why are you running for this office
I'm running for Metro Council because I believe in the potential of District 29 and the city of Nashville. I have witnessed firsthand the challenges our community faces – from issues of social justice, accessibility, and education, to matters of economic equality and access to affordable housing. I've also seen the resilience, spirit, and strength of our people. My experiences growing up here, as a first generation American and as a parent to a child with a disability, have shaped my perspective and solidified my commitment to public service. I'm not a political insider, but I'm a dedicated advocate, and I believe that with our shared efforts, we can create an inclusive, progressive, and thriving District 29. I want to use my technical expertise, understanding of local issues, and commitment to the community to contribute to meaningful and impactful changes that serve all our residents.
What are your top 2 or 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Inclusive and Accessible City Development: A major focus will be on creating a universally accessible city, inclusive of individuals with disabilities. As the parent of a child with a disability and having a parent with a disability, I understand the importance of ensuring that our city is not only physically accessible, but also offers equal opportunities for all residents, regardless of their abilities.
Promotion of Tech-based Solutions: Leveraging my background in software development, I plan to promote tech-based solutions to improve municipal services, boost local businesses, and facilitate community engagement. This will not only make Nashville a more efficient and modern city, but will also create jobs and opportunities in the tech sector.
Supporting Artists and Livable Communities: As an artist myself, I recognize the essential role artists play in giving Nashville its unique charm. My goal is to ensure that Nashville remains an affordable and livable city where artists can thrive, not just survive. This means advocating for affordable housing, efficient public transit, and general improvements in our city's livability, aided by the smart use of technology. If we fail to maintain the heartbeat of Nashville's creative scene, we risk losing what makes our city cool - the very element that attracts visitors and fuels our economy. Simply put, Nashville needs to stay vibrant to keep everyone's dreams alive.
John Reed
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 29
Age: 29
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Antioch
Education: Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the University of Tennessee at Martin
Job history: Consultant:
Family: I am grateful to have my supportive partner of seven years, Cobey, by my side. The rest of my family, which includes my mother, grandparents, godparents, and siblings, live in West Tennessee.
Why are you running for this office?
I love my community and I want to continue to see it grow and improve while also maintaining its character and honoring its history. My goal for District 29 is to ensure whether you’re starting a family, starting a business or just starting out, District 29 is the community for you. I believe it is time to truly focus on our neighborhoods, uplift our public schools, and support small businesses to ensure while Nashville enjoys growth, it also keeps its charm and maintains affordability for all residents.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
As the next council member for District 29 I am focused on keeping Nashville affordable, expanding and improving city services and increasing the pay of our city workers, teachers and first responders. I am also a big advocate for public transit and increasing the connectivity and walkability of every neighborhood.
Michele Vetter
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 29
Age: 61
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Priest Lake/Antioch SE Nashville
Education: Some college, ongoing education
Job history: Marketing and promotional coordinator, animal cruelty investigator, secondary education administration, business owner/manager, auditor and business verifications
Family: Have two children, both boys. The oldest is a graduate from McGavock High School. My youngest son is a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy and Father Ryan High School. He is currently furthering his educational goal to have a career in sports psychology (helping injured athletes work through the mental and emotional challenges presented after becoming injured/unable to play) while working as an assistant manager for a national leasing company. We care for my Mom, who just celebrated her 98th birthday. I have extended family who have moved to Tennessee and call it home. Dog-Mom to a monster named Godzilla.
Why are you running for this office?
I have lived in this area for almost four decades and have seen many important issues facing our community unresolved. Some things happen, or don't happen, that our residents do not know about. Our district needs leadership, encouragement, motivation, organization, communication and involvement to bring people together so they may work together to address the challenges we face as a community. I want to give voice to all residents and be a fierce voice for our district at City Council.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Lower crime and promote safety, organize and lay a foundation that can be built upon for years to come for the residents in this district, foster community relations among residents and those who provide services to our and for our district. Be a true representative for all in our community and give them a voice at City Council.
District 30
Sandra Sepulveda (incumbent, unopposed)
Sandra Sepúlveda
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 30
Age: 29
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Southeast
Education: Bachelor's in History and Political Science
Job history: Tennessee Democratic Party, Fuerza Democrats Tennessee, Conexion Americas
Family: A dog named Gryffindor
Why are you running for this office?
I’ve lived in this district since I was 5 years old. This place helped make me into the person I am today. This neighborhood has watched me grow up. I went to school here. I met my life long friends here. I found my voice here. Now I’m giving back. As I have grown as a person, I watched this district grow. This is a vibrant and diverse district with hardworking people. Our neighbors deserve the best and I will fight for everyone who lives here. I believe that our city does best when we all succeed. So I'm going to keep fighting because every Metro employee should not have to work two jobs to make ends meet, because families should not worry if their loved ones will come back from a construction site in one piece or at all, because our district should be walkable, because we need more bike lanes, and frequent buses, because we need affordable housing, because we demand to be represented in all spaces. We are hardworking people who deserve to have a say in the direction of this city.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Transit and Affordable Housin:g District 30 deserves to be walkable. We still need more sidewalks and bike lanes. We need to expand bus hours and bus lines. We also need to increase the number ofaffordable units in the district.
Worker Rights: I will continue to fight for every worker because Nashville should work for it’s workers. Every construction site should be safe. Everyone should be paid for every hour worked. There should be contracts with every subcontractor. We also need to take care of our Metro employees and make sure they are able to afford to live in this city.
Education: We need to fully fund our schools. Our students and teachers deserve the tools necessary to be successful.
District 31
Dia Hart
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for office because our community deserves to have a voice. I promise to listen to community members, and I will foster strong relationships with other Councilmen and with State officials for our communities. My goal is to bring the people’s voices of District 31 to the stage. Collectively we will have an impact on the decisions made for our public good. Obstacles will be overcome with the implementation of careful thought, research, and strategic planning as a standard.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Responsible development
Practicing good stewardship of tax-payer dollars by prudently reviewing the line-item city budget and researching requested expenditures
Supporting law(s) enforcement
John Rutherford
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 31
Age: 56
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Southeast
Education: BS in Public Administration - University of Tennessee at Martin
Job history: Currently over a decade in program management of federal government contracts providing services to Defense and Civilian sectors, with a focus on employment support and employer relations. Nonprofit executive experience. Veteran of the US Air Force
Family: 11-year-old son, Daniel
Why are you running for this office?
To help build a Nashville that better serves all our citizens and communities.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Community: Metro Nashville is blessed to have neighborhoods and communities with their own individuality and history, and they need to be protected. The growth of our city is a good thing, but uncontrolled growth threatens to take away green spaces and ultimately a way of life that citizens in those communities cherish. What works for the city’s urban core is not always what is in the best interest of our communities outside downtown. In District 31, I have worked to limit density in development to the major corridors while working to protect the more rural areas, all through an open community engagement process, and will continue to do so.
Homelessness/Veteran Homelessness: With Nashville’s growth and development surging in recent years, many have been left out, or left behind. Lack of affordable housing for our growing population has led to an increase in homelessness, and left many others on the brink. A significant number of our unhoused population are veterans of military service. Many go without available benefits because addition, PTSD or mental health issues prevent them from knowing where to turn. Local government can and should serve as a conduit to help connect unhoused veterans who live among us with the benefits they deserve, partnering with local veteran service organizations and nonprofits to achieve this. Solving veteran homelessness will go a long way towards solving the overall homelessness issue in our city.
New Americans: Nashville has one of the fastest-growing immigrant populations of any city in the United States. We have the largest Kurdish population of any American city, and that includes several hundred Kurdish households in District 31. It is critical that we embrace a strategic and sustainable approach to welcoming and integrating New Americans in all parts of our community. Nashville is a welcoming city, and the inclusion and rich diversity of New Americans provides great value to our communities.
District 32
Joy Styles (incumbent, unopposed)
Joy Styles
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 32
Age: 49
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Antioch
Education: BA - Spanish, Wellesley College, MS - Communication
Job history: Twenty years in entertainment as an actress and recording artist in New York City and Nashville. Currently the executive director for Southeast Community Ventures, a nonprofit that focuses on youth and arts education in Antioch.
Family: I am single. I moved my mother here in 2021.
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for a second term to continue to be quality of life issues. In addition to addressing my district needs I want to:
Fully funding departments that have been overlooked and underfunded are a priority
Public safety
Bringing trash back under Metro control. No more contractors./ Bringing janitors back into our schools/No more contractors.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
I plan on continuing my platform of:
Economic development
Community engagement
Beautification
District 33
Antoinette W. Lee (incumbent, unopposed)
Antoinette Lee
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 33
Age: 63
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Cane Ridge
Education: Master's
Job history: Teacher, education advocate
Family: Yes
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this position to make sure the community in my area has a voice and it is heard.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Financial support for education employees and the public schools
Support for Nashville's working people
Infrastructure and environmental improvements in the Southeast.
District 34
Luke Austin Elliott
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 34
Age: 26
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Green Hills
Education: Lipscomb Academy to University of Tennessee at Knoxville (I walked, but honestly, I am still one class short [Spanish] of my diploma). I can provide a copy of my transcript if you wish to verify this.
Job history: I was assistant vice president of research at a Wealth Management firm and now I serve as a financial analyst.
Family: No children of my own, which gives me more time to dedicate to this office. Most of my family (my mother's maiden name is Carpenter) lives in Nashville, however.
Why are you running for this office?
As a 7th generation Davidson Country resident, I am heartbroken about the direction our city has taken. What once was a friendly, fair, and practical city has turned into a degenerate, expensive, and congested town. Frankly, I want our damn town back. I am not dismissing all of the progress we have made, but we need to take inventory of that and ask ourselves how much larger we want to be. The next 10 years of leadership will make or break us.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Preserve and protect our zoning laws, control tourism, ensure that basic city services are performed, act in a fiscally responsible manner, and bridge the gap between state and local education priorities (my mother and grandmother both taught in Nashville).
Sandy Ewing
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 34
Age: 55
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Arlington Green in Bellevue
Education: Johns Hopkins, M.A. international relations/economics; Vanderbilt, PhD sustainability/environmental management
Job history: Current: Sustainability acting director, Communities - Lendlease; 2018-2020 assistant director, sustainability - Vanderbilt; 2016-2018 assistant director, General Services, Building Operations; 2015 Fellow at Meharry, RWJF Center for Public Health Policy; 2013 - 2016 owner, Net Green Works (environmental consulting); 2012-2013 associate director at Harpeth Conservancy
Family: Rick Ewing (husband); Richard (son, 19); Maddie (daughter, 16)
Why are you running for this office?
I have lived in Nashville for 20 years, raising my family here with my husband, Rick. I’m running now because I see our vibrant city struggling with explosive growth, poor planning for infrastructure and transportation, and a public school system that is overburdened. I love this city and have the skills to collaborate in crafting solutions that will help all Nashville residents thrive and position our city for the bright and sustainable future I know we can have.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
My top priorities are infrastructure and transportation to accommodate our city’s growth, ensuring preservation of green space and the health of our water resources, and ensuring the resilience of our city. A resilient Nashville will promote well-being for all residents, ensure equitable, inclusive and sustainable growth, protect human life, and be able to withstand the impacts of natural and human-made disasters.
District 35
Carson Smart (did not fill out Q&A)
Jason Spain
Which office are you seeking? Metro Council District 35
Age: 47
What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Bellevue
Education: Master’s degree in public administration, Tennessee State University; Bachelor of Science degree in public administration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville -- minors in economics and political ScienceHillwood High School, Class of 1994
Job history: Since 2010, I have served as executive director of the Tennessee Public Transportation Association, a statewide nonprofit association dedicated to improving public transportation in all Tennessee communities. From 2003 to 2010, I served in the administration of former Gov. Phil Bredesen focusing on policy and legislation. From 1998 to 2002, I worked for former Congressman Bob Clement, first as a legislative aide and House Budget Committee associate staff in Washington, DC, and later as field representative in Nashville.
Family: My wife, Lindsay, and I have been married for ten years and have two sons, Connor (7) and Noah (3). My parents moved to Bellevue in 1973, and my Mom still lives in the house in which I grew up.
Why are you running for this office?
Bellevue is my home. I was born and raised here, and I have seen our community change so much over the years – mostly for the better. But with our growth and success come challenges that must be addressed, including worsening traffic congestion, growing threats to public safety, and added pressure on our schools. At times it seems that there is new development happening at every corner. Together, I know that we can overcome these challenges and ensure that future development is something that works for us rather than happens to us. With responsible leadership, we can grow the right way and preserve the character of our community at the same time. My wife and I are raising our two boys here, and I am running to make sure Bellevue is the best place in the state to live, work, play, and raise a family – for mine and yours.
What are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
School Safety: Unfortunately, the tragic shooting at The Covenant School has reminded us that we have to take steps to keep our schools safe. The safety of our children should always be our firstpriority, and I will do anything that I can to try to prevent another senseless act of gun violence in our schools.
Responsible Development: I will encourage and support development that positively benefits our community for those that live here as well as those who may want to move here in the future, and I will oppose any development that would harm Bellevue’s unique character and natural landscape.
Infrastructure/Transit: As our city continues to grow and congestion continues to worsen, it is clear that we need more mobility options. Sidewalks, bike lanes, public transit and road improvements should work together to form a multimodal network that a) gives people alternatives to sitting in traffic in their personal vehicles and b) lessens congestion for those who choose to continue driving.
Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas wrote this editorial on behalf of The Tennessean Editorial Board. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Aug. 3 election: Meet Metro Council District candidates
