The Nashville Mayoral Debates will showcase candidates on major stages for 2023 election
The Tennessean — in collaboration with NewsChannel 5, Belmont University and American Baptist College — is hosting a series of three candidate debates in advance of the Nashville mayoral election on Aug. 3 and, if necessary, a fourth in advance of a potential Sept. 14 runoff election.
Dubbed The Nashville Mayoral Debates, the series will feature moderators from both The Tennessean and NewsChannel 5 and include participation from students of the hosting universities. The League of Women Voters of Nashville has also joined as a partner.
“Convening leaders to present, discuss and as needed vigorously debate the pressing issues of the day while embracing the principle of civil discourse is one of the core missions of The Tennessean,” said Michael A. Anastasi, the organization’s Vice President and Editor.
“Nashville is at a crossroads and needs extraordinary executive leadership if it is to continue its ascent as a great American city, a city that works for all and continues to be the economic engine that propels Middle Tennessee and, indeed, the entire state," he added.
Belmont is dedicated to collaboration and engagement
The first two debates will take place May 18 and June 22 at Belmont, which has its own impressive history of being the home of political discussion. The school most recently hosted a presidential debate in 2020 and was the site of mayoral debates in 2019.
Click here to get tickets for the first debate on May 18.
“We are honored to partner with The Tennessean and NewsChannel5 to host The Nashville Mayoral Debates on our campus as we recognize how vitally important this kind of conversation is to the success and flourishing of our city,” said Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones. “Belmont is dedicated to collaboration and engagement across diverse perspectives, and we are grateful for the opportunity to further put this into action.”
American Baptist College is a 'significant place' for a debate
The third debate is scheduled for July 6 at American Baptist College, arguably the theological birthplace of the modern civil rights movement and alma mater of icons including John Lewis, C.T. Vivian, Bernard Lafayette and James Bevel.
“Voting is an unalienable right, and every citizen should participate in the electoral process. It is our only way to level the playing field,” said Dr. Forrest E. Harris Sr., president of American Baptist College.
“American Baptist College is a significant place to hold a mayoral forum. Students at the school in the 1960s fought for the right to vote. Now, here in 2023, a mayoral forum is being held on this campus in a building named after one of those students, Rep. John Lewis, who went on to become an even greater champion for justice. We are pleased to partner with The Tennessean in this endeavor and look forward to an exchange that benefits the city, in order to get in ‘Good Trouble.’”
The debates are set to conclude prior to the beginning of early voting on July 14.
A fourth debate, should one candidate not win a majority outright and the race requires a runoff, will take place on Aug. 24 at Belmont University.
Qualification requirements and ticketing information for the public will be announced soon.
Send inquiries and announcements to Liz Schubauer at lschubauer@tennessean.com for news stories and David Plazas at dplazas@tennessean.com for opinion and engagement questions.
Dates of The Nashville Mayoral Debates
May 18 at Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
June 22 at Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
July 6 at American Baptist College John Lewis Building
Aug. 24 at Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts (if runoff is necessary)
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Nashville Mayoral Debates showcase candidates for 2023 election
