A new Political Action Committee has reportedly formed in Nashville, and the people behind it want to use it to influence this year’s Metro election.
This, according to a new article in The Tennessean.
According to the website, the group consists of “several of Nashville’s business heavyweights” who want “good governance, a collaborative spirit, a pro-business mindset and visionary planning.”
“The group, A Better Nashville, was registered on March 29, according to records. Filing documents list Gus Puryear — general counsel for Asurion — as chairman and Paula Harris — chief marketing officer for Barge Design Solutions Inc. — as treasurer,” according to The Tennessean.
“The Nashville Business Journal first reported on the committee on Friday, reporting that the group has ties to the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.”
The Tennessean reported that John Ingram of Ingram Industries is involved with A Better Nashville.
The Tennessee Star, in 2017, identified Ingram as the lead investor on a 27,500-seat soccer stadium in Nashville that would cost $250 million. This was a project former Mayor Megan Barry championed and supported.
Mayor David Briley is scheduled to face off against State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, Metro Council member John Cooper and former Vanderbilt professor Carol Swain.
As The Star reported in May, Swain said the Nashville Police Department suffers from low morale, from low cost of living raises and concerns over an officer being investigated after a shooting resulted from a traffic stop.
Cooper, meanwhile, announced his intentions to run for mayor in April. Cooper has questioned economic incentives, and he also voted against the Major League Soccer stadium deal. Cooper is the brother of U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN-05) and the son of former Gov. Prentice Cooper.
As The Tennessean reported, “PACs are not unusual in Metro elections.”
“Law firms, businesses affiliated with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and education advocates have launched groups in the past,” according to the website.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
[…] As reported in June, the PAC formed to influence this year’s Metro election. […]