Meet the Contenders: Nashville's Mayoral Election 2023

The city of Nashville is gearing up for the 2023 mayoral election. With a population of nearly 700,000 and a thriving economy, Nashville is a city on the rise, and the next mayor will play a crucial role in shaping its future.

Here are some of the top candidates who have thrown their hats into the ring:

• Natisha Brooks, a former Republican congressional candidate and self-described "Christian conservative constitutionalist," who aims to increase funding for mental health initiatives within police forces and schools, grow Nashville's police force, and decrease response times.
• Fran Bush, the former school board member for southeast Davidson County, who advocated for pay raises and investment in school infrastructure. A Nashville native, she plans to focus on neighborhood safety, affordable housing, and education and infrastructure, if elected.
• Heidi Campbell, a Democratic state senator for south and west Davidson County, she has a "deep understanding" of state and Nashville government issues. In the past, Campbell has advocated for abortion access, marijuana legalization, Medicaid expansion, and fixing the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

(L-R: Natisha Brooks, Fran Bush, Heidi Campbell)

• Jim Gingrich, a former chief operating officer of investment management firm AllianceBernstein, announced a run for Nashville mayor in order to “take control of the chaotic, unrestrained growth that’s threatening the soul of our community.”
• Sharon Hurt, an at-large Metro Council member who was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 as the top vote-getter in Nashville. She is also the executive director of Street Works, a nonprofit that supports individuals impacted by HIV and AIDS.

• Freddie O'Connell, a two-term Metro Council member representing Germantown, downtown and Music Row, who has served on the council since 2015. He is a progressive candidate, aiming to address homelessness and use his experience serving on the leadership board of the transit system to create more crosstown routes, reduce downtown transfers and traffic without raising taxes.

(L-R: Jim Gingrich, Sharon Hurt, Freddie O'Connell)

• Alice Rolli, a Nashville native and former Tennessee State Economic Development official for Gov. Bill Haslam, who aims to prioritize the recruitment and retention of Nashville's first responders to ensure Nashville’s public safety infrastructure keeps pace with its growth.
• Vivian Wilhoite, a current Davidson County property assessor and a former two-term Metro Council member who represented southeast Davidson County. Wilhoite is known for being a dedicated campaigner who attends numerous public events and functions to connect with voters.
• Matt Wiltshire, a former economic development and housing executive, who developed a 10-year $750 million affordable housing plan with public and private investment.
• Jeff Yarbro, a Democratic state senator representing Sylvan Park to Antioch. He has passed over 75 pieces of legislation to invest in affordable housing investment, expand childcare options and affordability, resources for homeless youth, and prohibit wage discrimination against those with disabilities.

(L-R clockwise: Alice Rolli, Vivian Wilhoite, Matt Wiltshire, Jeff Yarbro)

Thinking about running? There's still time to file for the 2023 election for Mayor and Metro council. Check out Good Party to learn how we can help!