Tag: Bill Freeman

Bill Freeman Passes on Making Another Run for Mayor of Nashville

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After much anticipation and weeks of speculation Nashville real estate mogul and top Democratic Party fundraiser Bill Freeman has decided to opt out of another campaign for Mayor of Nashville. Freeman made the announcement in a release to two of his media properties, the Nashville Scene and Nashville Post, Monday afternoon. Freeman’s 2015 mayoral bid fell just short of him making the runoff setting up a race between David Fox and eventual winner Megan Barry. Freeman spent over $5 million in his unsuccessful campaign, with nearly $4 million from his personal funds. Barry subsequently resigned in scandal, setting up Vice Mayor David Briley to succeed her, first automatically and then by handily winning a special election. One of the candidates that Briley defeated in the special election, conservative former Vanderbilt professor Carol Swain, is again considering a race for Mayor.  Nashville Democrat State Representative John Ray Clemmons has announced in January that he is running for the position. Bob Freeman is a newly-elected Democrat State Representative in Nashville, and is widely viewed as the political heir to his father’s political operations. He is settling into his new position representing the legislative district previously represented by Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell…

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Nashville Mayor David Briley to Run for Full Term in 2019

Chris Butler

Nashville Mayor David Briley announced Tuesday he’s running for reelection. What’s uncertain is who and how many people will oppose him. The Tennessean floated names such as at-large council member John Cooper, real estate executive Bill Freeman, and council member Steve Glover. No one in Briley’s office returned The Tennessee Star’s request for comment Tuesday. Cooper, in an email, told The Star he has no timeline. “Am listening to people to decide what to do,” Cooper said. “Our financial situation will be the big issue for next year and the years to come.” When reached Tuesday, Glover, a Republican, said he has no interest in running for mayor, but he is interested in running for an at-large council position. “It would be a challenge for a Republican to be elected as the mayor. It would be a hard fight for a Republican to be elected in this city, but I do believe a conservative Republican could be elected for an at-large seat and if we sit down and work we can get conservatives,” Glover said. “I don’t care if you’re Republican, independent or Democrat, we need conservatives on the council on this next go-round that will sit down and say…

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Real Estate Moguls Bill Freeman, Jimmy Webb Buy Nashville Scene and Nashville Post

Jason M. Reynolds
Jimmy Webb, Bill Freeman

Multifamily real estate firm Freeman Webb Co. has entered the publishing business by buying the Nashville Post, the Nashville Scene and Nfocus. The Nashville Post made the announcement Friday after the deal with previous owner SouthComm, a holding company, closed. The sales price was not disclosed. SouthComm put the publications up for sale after a period of layoffs and other cutbacks, The Tennessean said. A month ago New York-based This purchase, first reported by the Nashville Post, comes a month CapStack Partners was negotiating to buy the publications. Former mayoral candidate Bill Freeman and business partner Jimmy Webb own the real estate company that has more than 450 workers. The media acquisition will add 35 more. The publications’ leadership team, with Publisher Amy Mularski and CFO Todd Patton, will stay, as will the editors of the Post, Scene and Nfocus. Freeman finished third in the 2015 election for Mayor of Nashville behind David Fox and eventual winner Megan Barry but decided not to run in May’s special election. “Jimmy Webb and I are thrilled to purchase the Post, the Nashville Scene and Nfocus, which are all publications that we’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading over the years,” said Freeman. “It is important to…

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Real Estate Magnate Bill Freeman Will Not Run for Mayor of Nashville in Special Election

Tennessee Star Staff

Real estate magnate Bill Freeman, who finished third in the 2015 election for Mayor of Nashville behind David Fox and eventual winner, former Mayor Megan Barry, said on Wednesday he will not be a candidate for Mayor of Nashville in the upcoming special election. “I think Nashville will be best served by having Mayor Briley focused on what’s best for our city for the remainder of this term. As a result, I’ve chosen to refrain from entering the race,” Freeman said, as NewsChannel 5 reported: Freeman said he considers his decision a personal one and did not discourage others from entering the race. “It is certainly within the capability of Nashvillians to determine what’s best for Nashville. To discourage anyone from running for office is downright un-American,” stated Freeman. “I simply feel that Mayor Briley is the right person for Nashville right now. I’ve weighed the options, and I feel that my continued role with Freeman Webb will serve Nashville well, with our strong initiatives to meet Nashville’s needs for affordable housing.” Freeman also added Mayor Briley must “remain balanced in his approach,” and he cautioned against allowing undue influence on key decisions from outside interests. The co-founder of Freeman…

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