Retired businessman and former Williamson County Commissioner Todd Kaestner announced his withdrawal from the Williamson County mayoral race on Monday.
“After consulting with my team and family, I have decided to withdraw from the race and will be focusing on other opportunities and our growing family,” Kaestner said in a statement sent to The Tennessee Star.
“To my supporters, thank you for placing your time, energy and financial resources behind our campaign to protect and preserve Williamson County while ensuring all who call it home can prosper. Your support has meant so much to me, and I will never forget it…Regardless of whether or not I am a candidate, I still firmly believe Williamson County’s best days are ahead,” he added.
Kaestner said refunds will be issued to those who donated to his mayoral campaign “by the end of the month.”
Incumbent Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson announced in August 2025 he would not seek another term.
Kaestner, who served as a Williamson County Commissioner for five years and most recently retired as the executive vice president of Brookdale Senior Living Inc., launched his mayoral bid in September, and seeded his campaign at the time with $250,000 of his own funds.
On the campaign trail, Kaestner focused on proposals aimed at relieving traffic congestion, enhancing government transparency, and enacting fiscal reforms to confront Williamson County’s rapid growth and budget strains, including the county’s annual debt payments of more than $100 million.
With Kaestner’s withdrawal, four candidates remain in the mayoral race – former Tennessee State Representative Brandon Ogles, hospitality executive Andy Marshall, Williamson County Commissioner Mary Smith, and businessman B.K. Muvvala.
The general election for Williamson County mayor will be held on August 6, 2026. The Republican primary is scheduled for May 5.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Todd Kaestner” by Todd Kaestner.
