Democrat Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced he would not seek re-election for a second term. Cooper was first elected mayor in 2019.
BREAKING: Nashville Mayor John Cooper announces he will not seek re-election. pic.twitter.com/4ruDj6O22g
— FoxNashville (@FOXNashville) January 31, 2023
“Now, after a great deal of thought and prayer and talking with my wonderful wife, I have decided not to seek re-election as Nashville’s mayor,” Cooper said during a news conference on Tuesday.
Cooper thanked the people of Nashville for giving him the “greatest job I could ever hope for. “
Cooper faced a number of significant events during his first term – specifically, in the first couple of months – in office, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a tornado in March 2020, multiple floods, and the Second Avenue bombing in December 2020.
“In many respects, 2020 was itself a full term in office,” Cooper added on Tuesday.
To conclude his remarks, Cooper said that his primary focus during the remaining months of his term would be on the following three areas: education and public safety investments, Nashville’s homelessness response, and the redevelopment of the East Bank of the Cumberland River where the new proposed Tennessee Titans stadium would be built.
Three candidates are already running for mayor: Metro Council Member-at-Large Sharon Hurt, Metro Council Member Freddie O’Connell, and former Nashville Economic and Community Development Director Matt Wiltshire.
O’Connell released a social media video following Cooper’s announcement, touting his campaign, saying that things “haven’t felt right in the city for awhile.”
I’ve known why I was running for mayor of Nashville from the day I announced. And so have you. pic.twitter.com/6YQI79xVbm
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) January 31, 2023
In addition, following Cooper’s announcement, former Metro council member and current Davidson County Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite tweeted that she is “strongly considering” running for mayor.
Mayor John Cooper has announced that he is not running for Mayor. Hey Nashville & Davidson voters, I am strongly considering running for the position. I am setting up an exploratory committee. #VivianforMayor
— Vivian Wilhoite (@Vivian4Service) January 31, 2023
The 2023 Nashville mayoral election will be held on August 3, with a runoff on September 14, if necessary. Voter registration ends on July 5, with early voting beginning on July 14. The last day to request an absentee ballot is July 27.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “John Cooper” by John Cooper. Background Photo “Nashville City Hall” by Luckiewiki. CC BY-SA 4.0.
If we get a Republican elected as Mayor, maybe we can get “In God We Trust” added to the Metro seal!!
Former Soeajer Beth Harwell should run for mayor! She is a more debate and will cut taxes, be tough on crime and be accountable for a efficiently run metro government!
Beth Harwell for metro Mayor!
I live in middle Tennessee, haven’t hn to Crashville, in 11 years. Do not miss it
It won’t matter who runs. Metro has been CaliFornicated. Glad we left it for the Plateau 10 years ago. We could see the train wreck coming.