Ginny Welsch is lone Council member to oppose terrorist fighting tools for the Metro Police Department

by Rod Williams, Dec. 28, 2023- At the most recent Metro Council meeting, the Council approved the acceptance of a Homeland Security Grant of $740,450 that will provide the city with new equipment for the Office of Emergency Management and the Metro Police Department. The grant also included training in use of the equipment. The purpose of the grant was to "fund efforts to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events."

Among the equipment funded are atmospheric monitors, handheld spectrometers, pneumatic tools, portable radios and a Boston Dynamics Spot Robot. Usually accepting a grant from the Federal or State government is not controversial. Metro accepts grants almost every meeting. 

The part of this grant that was controversial was "Spot."  The robotic dog has specialized sensors that can detect possible chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats from a safe distance and is capable of investigating suspicious packages and suspected explosives. 

I am pleased to see Metro get this equipment including Spot.  We live in a dangerous world. It has been 21 years since 9-11. I am not going to surprised when we are next hit with a terrorist attack.  With our national borders unsecured and about 2 million unknown people walking into our country every year, I do not expect the next big attack to be airplanes flying into buildings but an attack on a well-attended public gathering by people who walked across the border. Events like Nashville's New Year's Eve bash would make prime targets. 

We do not only have a threat of international terrorism aiming at big targets to be concerned about, but we have the growing threat of home-grown antisemitic terrorist that are making threats against synagogues as well as a growing danger from right-wing anti-government groups. If a mysterious package is found planted in a local synagogue, I would much prefer being able to send in a robotic dog to investigate than a police officer.

Durning the debate on the resolution, Council Member Jordan Huffman explained the importance of the robotic dog for the MNPD’s hazardous device unit: "This will be utilized by the hazardous device unit by MNPD. I stated before that there have been over 300 [individual] bomb threats this year. If one of those is actually a bomb, then what we’re doing here tonight is worth it."

Huffman went on to explain the use for the atmospheric monitors, which he said will be placed in and around large crowds during events in Nashville to detect any harmful substances like anthrax that could potentially be thrown into the air.

Approval of this grant seems like a no-brainer to me. Why the opposition? Opponents apparently fear the robotic dog will be used to attack people and to spy on people. Watch the above video to see the debate. 

Ginny Welsch
cast lone vote against 
bomb-sniffing robot

District 22 Council Member Sheri Winer made a passionate plea for passing the resolution referencing the bomb threat that was made to Congregation Micah synagogue the weekend prior to the council meeting.

“My grandson and I are Jewish, as many of you in the room are,” said Weiner.  “I got a phone call as I’m walking out the door to take [him] to Sunday school, and my son-in-law with a quivering voice says to me, ‘Don’t take him, they’ve closed Sunday school.’ There was a bomb threat.”

Despite the resolution being thoroughly discussed and approved in committee, a move was made to defer action on the resolution. The move to defer failed by a vote of 15 in favor and 24 against. After more discussion the measure passed overwhelmingly with only one "no" vote and four abstentions.  District 12 Council Member Ginny Welsch was the only "no" vote. 

That Ginny Welsch would vote no is no surprise. While we have a lot of left-leaning progressives serving in the Metro Council, thankfully there is only one Ginny Welsch. While the Council is liberal, it is not totally nuts.  Ginny Welsch is by far the most radical member of the Metro Council. She has a consistent history of attempting to defund the police and votes against the police at every opportunity. There is no vote that she could cast that would surprise me. In 2020 she sponsored a budget amendment that would have slashed the funding for the Police by 40%.  Thankfully, she is one of a kind and no one is following her lead. She did not speak during the debate on the bill. 

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Council Member Ginny Welsch Thinks Her Constituents are a Bunch of Racist and Are Selfish

Ginny Welsch

16th United, Sept. 22, 2025-  We, the members of 16th United, an advocacy group working to identify and articulate the priorities of the 16th District regarding growth, feel compelled to respond to comments made by Council Member Ginny Welsch on the Sept. 15 edition of the City Cast Nashville podcast.  

We are dismayed that Council Member Welsch – having been presented with data and first-person testimony from hundreds of community members about their hopes and concerns for District 16 as it grows – has resorted to insults and veiled accusations of racism. 

On City Cast Nashville, Council Member Welsch discussed with host Marie Cecile Anderson her proposal to rezone 620 acres of the 16th District. During this discussion, Ms. Welsch cited zoning as a historical tool for discrimination and implied that those who oppose her current rezoning 
efforts may be motivated by a desire to exclude others. She said: 

Right now, we kind of use zoning as a tool of exclusion. There's a very vocal segment 
of this city that wants to live in the past. I guess that's the only way that I could say it. They don't want anything to change. They want to pull up the ladder behind them. They hold 
on to single-family zoning that, if you know anything about zoning, you know that single-family zoning started from a very racist proposition. It was meant to be exclusionary. It was meant to keep the lower classes and minorities from, you know, living side by side with wealthier, lighter-skinned, whiter people.

It is regrettable that Ms. Welsch has decided to take a historical wrong in Nashville and apply it, in this 
context, to assume the worst of her constituents. Members of 16th United have canvassed every corner 
of the proposed rezone to bring residents into the process, making extra efforts to reach our Spanish-speaking neighbors. We have posted signs in Spanish next to Metro’s standard zoning signs, with QR 
codes to a website that has been regularly updated in Spanish, offered focus groups in Spanish, and 
engaged Nashville Noticias directly to help spread the word further. What similar efforts, if any, has 
Ms. Welsch made to engage this community? 

Furthermore, in our survey of hundreds of residents, 44% of respondents listed “preserving diversity” as a top priority. It is outrageous that volunteers asking basic questions about affordability, infrastructure and the tree canopy, and seeking broad engagement and participation using every tool at their disposal, would be labeled exclusionary and possibly worse, discriminatory, by their own council member. 

Ms. Welsch later characterized opponents of her bill as "selfish," "privileged," and "entitled." When asked what people need to hear to get on the same page, she responded: 

I think people need to hear that they're being selfish. They really are pulling the ladder up behind them. And they're being very privileged, because I think that people feel like they are holding on to something that they feel very entitled to, while others behind them are simply trying to get a foot on the rung.

Residents of the 16th District are not “entitled” or “privileged” – we are a working-class district with 
working-class concerns. And contrary to what Ms. Welsch said during her appearance on City Cast 
Nashville, there is no evidence of an "old guard" and a "new guard" with competing visions for the 
neighborhood; overwhelming majorities of residents, both new and generational, have shared the same 
priorities, which were presented to Ms. Welsch and the public at a community meeting on Aug. 21. We 
do not understand why Ms. Welsch seems unable or unwilling to truly listen to the community, as the 
Metro Planning Commission entreated her in disapproving her proposal on April 24. She has, in public 
remarks, repeatedly referred to a “community-driven” plan, now suggesting residents are quietly happy 
with her proposal. Data collected by multiple groups working independently states the opposite. 
Notably, Ms. Welsch has not hosted a single public forum about this topic since April and has yet 
to provide any evidence that her plan has broad or even mild support in any cross-section of our 
community. All available information says otherwise. 

Council Member Welsch's words on City Cast Nashville were demeaning and dismissive of the many 
concerns the community has proactively expressed to her. If she truly has the District's best interests at 
heart, as she claimed to on City Cast Nashville, Ms. Welsch will apologize and thoughtfully engage 
her constituents. 16th United remains committed to its goal of giving voice to our community through 
inclusive and constructive dialogue.

#

Excerpt from the interview, City Cast: 

HOST: What do people need to hear to get on the same page about this? 

GW: I think that people need to hear that they're being selfish. They really are pulling the 

ladder up behind them. And they're being very privileged, because I think that people feel 

like they are holding on to something that they feel very entitled to, while others behind 

them are simply trying to get a foot on the rung so that they can actually find housing and 

really establish roots and start building their life, including some wealth in their life. I feel 

like sometimes people treat the districts or even the city actually as if it's an HOA, as if they 

get to set up some arbitrary rules that they decide because they've been here longer, 

because there's always this idea that because I've been here longer, it means I gets to run 

things that it's like, but that's not really how that works. And the other people, the newer 

people here, they too have a right to grow the city and impact the city, and that will improve 

the city. The fear is always right that you're going to ruin the city, but you know, we're going 

to ruin it ourselves if we don't allow this to happen. Because as we all know, change 

happens whether we want it to happen or not. So we may as well be intentional about it 

and have some say in control. You know, like by doing zoning and putting in UDOs and 

things like that so that we can keep things in a certain line in the way that we want them, 

while allowing and acknowledging that new blood is going to come in and change is going 

to come. We can't be selfish and only think about ourselves and we can't live in the past. (link)

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Council Member Ginny Welsch says the Tennessee General Assembly is "Fascist."

From The Nashville Banner's interview with Ginny Welch, June 28, 2023:

Ginny Welsch, Council
member, calls State
General Assembly
"Fascist." She also likes
 to drop the other "F-bomb."

by Rod Williams, July 19, 2023 - Calling the General Assembly "Fascist" is not conducive to an improved relationship with the State. We need calm voices and reasonable people and bridge builders in the Metro Council. Also, one needs to recognize that the city gets their authority to even exist from the State. The city is chartered by the State. Poking the bear does not bring about better results. 

Ginny Welsch likes to call those with whom she disagrees 'Fascist," and she also likes dropping the "F-bomb" on those with whom she disagrees. To read of her doing both read this article from The Tennessean, Metro Council member to Trump-backing colleague: ‘(Expletive) off’.

In the occasion referenced above, she was reprimanded by the Vice Mayor who said the following at a Council meeting:

At the beginning of our last Council meeting (less than 48 hours ago) I started the meeting by requesting that all members of the Council show professional courtesy and respect towards each other and to the people that we serve. With this country divided, we need to step up and help lead the way towards bringing people together. Some of the emails on this chain do not reflect that request. I believe you can disagree with others without using inappropriate language and without being disrespectful. I expect the members of the Metropolitan Council to carry out their duties in a professional and appropriate way.

Ginny Welsch simply does not have the demeanor nor temperament to serve in the Metro Council. She does not play well with others.  In the upcoming Council election please retire Ginny Welsch and vote for Alexa Little. 

Alexa Little will never drop the F-bomb and have to be reprimanded by the Vice Mayor. She is unlikely to call the General Assembly "Fascist."  She will exhibit professionalism, courtesy and respect.  She will not embarrass you. 

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A Dark and Daunting Night at the Metro Council. CM Ginny Welsch is still being Ginny Welsch.

by Rod Williams, Nov. 8, 2024- I have been focused on the election and national affairs so much that I have paid less attention to local affairs. I still follow local news but have not been writing about it very much. I have not been watching council meeting and reading Council meeting agendas. The best place I have found to be kept informed about what is going on in the Metro Council is The Pamphleteer. Megan  Podsiedlik who covers the Council for The Pamphleteer does an excellent job. Rest assured, the Metro Council continues to be as woke as ever and Ginny Welsch continues to be the poster child for local wokeism and anti-police activism. 

In the latest posting from Megan P. she tells of the mood of the council in the wake of the election of Donald Trump and reports on the chasm that still exists between certain council members, the Civilian Review Board, and the police department. Check out the latest from The Pamphleteer and follow.

A Dark and Daunting Night at the Metro Council

Ginny Welsch

From The Pamphleteer, Nov. 8, 2024- Despite the schedule change and recent presidential election, it was business as usual at last night’s council meeting. Vice Mayor Angie Henderson opened by congratulating the mayor on the overwhelming success of his transit referendum, and shared a few insightful statistics about Davidson County voter registration: “Thank you to everyone who registered to vote in recent months—some 8,000 new voters in October alone, after almost 11,000 new registrants in September.” 

She also addressed the outcome of the presidential election by reminding “those who may be feeling sad and scared” that their “elected officials and local government are always here to support you in an age of increasing misinformation and disinformation and fear mongering.” To quell the emotions aroused by these “dark and daunting” times, she invoked a few words from Vice President Kamala Harris and promised that every member of Nashville’s “local, nonpartisan body” is sworn to uphold the Constitution.

The council went on to make a number appointments and voted on a slew of multi-family residential unit proposals—something we’ve seen a lot of given the current push for more affordable housing solutions in Nashville. But it was the presence of Community Review Board Director Jill Fitcheard during the public comment period that stirred up the most controversy. The director brought up privacy concerns regarding a resolution proposing to outsource DNA kit testing, and called into question the efficiency of the Metro Nashville Police Department given the DNA backlog. 

During floor discussion, Councilmember Ginny Welsch motioned for a two-meeting deferral in solidarity with Director Fitcheard’s skepticism. (continue reading)

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If You think Slashing the Police Budget 42% is a good idea, vote to reelect Ginny Welsch.

by Rod Williams, July 16, 2023- When Portland, Oregon slashed their police budget, murders in that city surged by 2,000%.  We were lucky that that same thing did not happen in Nashville. If had been up to Council Member Ginny Welch, Nashville would have suffered the same fate. In 2020 she attempted to slash Metro's police budget by 42%. If crime is a problem now, can you imagine the mayhem visited upon our city, had she succeeded? 

Ginny Welsch is the absolutely worst Council member to ever serve our city.  She is the most radical member to ever serve and there is not even a close second. She is an activist who has supported all kinds of leftist causes over the years. Her campaign for Council was financed by radicals from out of State.  Contributors to her Council campaign included LIUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) among other radical groups. She received the endorsement of The Nashville Justice League and Our Revolution. Welch was a founder of the low-power, left-wing radio station, Radio Free Nashville.

If you live in District 16, please vote for Alexa Little. If you do not, you can still help defeat Welch. While early voting started today, a contribution now, may still have an impact. Campaigns always need money and people to wave signs at polling places. Please help elect Alexa Little and help defeat the most radical person to ever serve in the Metro Council. 

Below is more on Ginny Welsch's effort to defund the police.

Radicals lose fight to defund police, instead Council increases police funding by $2.6 million.

Ginny Welsch.
Attempt to slash police budget.
by 42% failed.

Russ Pulley.
Successfully added $2.6 million
 to fund additional police.

by Rod Williams, June 18, 2020- While I would have preferred a no-tax-increase budget, our public safety functions are in need of additional funding. If I were creating the budget, I would have tried to modestly increase funding for these services. The police, the 911 call center, ETMs and fire fighters are all understaffed. I would have defunded, reduced or suspended funds for General Hospital, the Human Relations Commission, the Barnes Fund, non-profits, the arts, parks, MTA. the Chamber, the bike lane program, recycling, and the sidewalk program. I would have dropped the idea that no metro employee should ever lose their job. Beyond these cuts, I would have cut library branches, hours or days until the budget balanced. Leadership could have sold such a budget to the public. People can understand that when you lose income, you have to cut expenses.

General Hospital can't fill its beds and poor people have other options ever since Medicaid. Not every city has a charity hospital; it is not required. Even our former progressive mayor Megan Barry proposed closing General. Most recyclables goes to the land fill anyway and the price tag of the program went up $1.5 million this year. It should be suspended until we determine the future of recycling. No one uses the bike lanes, or almost no one. We can halt expansion and no one would notice. We spend millions on sidewalks and don't get new ones. We mostly replace barely deteriorated sidewalks with new clean sidewalks. We should suspend the program until we find out why. In a time of crisis, until revenue returns we can temporarily reduce library service. We could have balanced the budget. If we had leadership who made the case, people would have accepted less services durning a time of crisis.

To his credit, Mayor Cooper in his budget at least recognized the importance of funding the police. His budget proposal included a $2.6 million increase for police. That increase in funding would fund 46 new position. As the budget process advanced, what emerged as the most likely budget to pass was the Mendes substitute budget. His budget proposal cut the $2.6 million for police and put that money into funding step increases for Metro employees. His proposal kept the police funding flat at $209 million.

Meanwhile the radial left composed of Black Lives Matter, Our Revolution, Gideon's Army and a bunch of other organizations united behind this idea of defunding the police. Now, defunding the police does not mean exactly the same thing everywhere it is proposed across the country. Some want to simply reduce police funding and put the money into social services while some want to completely abolish police departments. Nashville's radical community operating under an umbrella group called Nashville People's Budget Coalition proposed slashing the police budget by 42%. Ginny Welch carried the water for the radicals.

Ginny Welsch is probably the most radical member of the Council. She is an activist who has supported all kinds of leftist causes over the years. Contributors to her Council campaign included LIUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) among other radical groups. She received the endorsement of The Nashville Justice League and Our Revolution. Welch was a founder of the low-power, left-wing radio station, Radio Free Nashville.

Tuesday night, Welsch sponsored Amendment 26 to the Mendes budget. It cut the Police by $107,670,143 and the Sheriff by $3,473,855. It got only three votes in favor, a couple abstentions and everyone else voted in opposition. Nashville has a very progressive Council, but they are not totally, completely nuts. We are not yet Seattle or San Franciso. Thank God.

The council then came to Amendment D by Councilman Russ Pulley. Pulley is Chairman of the Council's Public Safety Committee, has worked as a firefighter, paramedic, police officer and state trooper, as well as an FBI agent. He moved to amend the Mendes budget to add back the $2.6 million that had been in the mayor's budget. A lot of people abstained and the amendment got 21 votes, the minimum necessary to pass.

While I am disappointed the Council approved a huge tax increase, I am glad that we did not slash funding for public safety and that we recognized the need to increase funding for our undermanned police department. I commend Councilman Pulley for his leadership. Once the minutes of the meeting are posted, I will report on who voted to fund the police and who voted against public safety funding.

For more on this see this link and this link.

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Mailer critical of incumbent Council Member Ginny Welch hits District 16 mailboxes

By Rod Williams, July 16, 2023- Below is a copy of a flyer mailed to residents of the 16th district critical of the incumbent councilmember Ginny Welch. The below was posted to the Facebook group 16th District Nashville. I had no knowledge of and no role in the mailing of these flyers. 

I do not know if Ginny Welch did in fact tweet the image above to a member of Congress, but it reflects her style. See below:

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

"F**k Off" Council member Ginny Welsch tells Council member Robert Swope in mass email posting.

Ginny Welsch

by Rod Williams -   Council member Ginny Welsch, the most radical member of the Metro Council, dropped the F-bomb on Councilman Robert Swope, a conservative member of the body.  She was chastised for doing so by Vice Mayor Jim Shulman who said: 

Robert Swope

"At the beginning of our last Council meeting (less than 48 hours ago) I started the meeting by requesting that all members of the Council show professional courtesy and respect towards each other and to the people that we serve. With this country divided, we need to step up and help lead the way towards bringing people together. Some of the emails on this chain do not reflect that request. I believe you can disagree with others without using inappropriate language and without being disrespectful. I expect the members of the Metropolitan Council to carry out their duties in a professional and appropriate way."

Welch defending herself and refused to back down.  She dropped another F-word commonly used by liberals to describe viewpoints with which they do not agree: "Fascism."  She said those who don't see things the way she does do not deserve respect or civility.

For more on this story see, Metro Council member to Trump-backing colleague: ‘(Expletive) off’ by Nate Rau, published in Nashville Lookout.

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CM Ginny Welsch Proposes Radical Massive Rezoning for Woodbine Allowing 20 to 40 apartments per acre

 by Austin Hornbostel, The Tennessean, April 22, 2025- 

Key Points

• District 16 Metro Council Member Ginny Welsch is proposing an Urban Design Overlay for southeast Nashville's Glencliff, Woodbine and Radnor neighborhoods.
• The rezoning would affect hundreds of acres of properties to the north and south of Thompson Lane near Nolensville Pike, shifting zoning standards to allow for up to 40 housing units on some parcels.
• Neighbors have plenty of questions and concerns. Some are worried about adding density around an already high-traffic area, while others have felt blindsided by a rapid proposal process.

There’s a significant rezoning proposal on the table for southeast Nashville’s Glencliff, Woodbine and Radnor neighborhoods, and it’s leading to plenty of questions from residents.

Well over 100 neighbors packed the meeting room at Coleman Park Community Center just off Nolensville Pike on April 17. They were there to learn more about an Urban Design Overlay proposed by Metro Council Member Ginny Welsch, who represents the neighborhoods in District 16. (read more)

#

Rod's Comment: I generally favor a reform of Davidson County's zoning ordinance to allow greater density. However, a single district should not be massively rezoned in this manner. This is too radical of a proposal.

From WKRN, Channel 2;

‘The fabric of a neighborhood’ is up for debate in Glencliff, Woodbine as new zoning proposed

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Backlash after Metro CM Ginny Welsch implies Trump asked for assassination attempt

Rod's Comment: CM Ginny Welsch's action blocking a resolution denouncing the assassination attempt of President Trump, denouncing political violence, and honoring the innocent murdered bystander Cory Compenhavor  and those wounded in the assassination attempt is creating a backlash and calls for her to resign. The backlash is well deserved. She should resign. This story has been picked up and is being reported on by news outlets around the nation and is being shared on social media and getting lots of views on YouTube. 

To read the text of the resolution blocked by Ginny Welsch, follow this link. 

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"F**k Off" Council member Ginny Welsch tells Council member Robert Swope in mass email posting.

Ginny Welsch

by Rod Williams -   Council member Ginny Welsch, the most radical member of the Metro Council, dropped the F-bomb on Councilman Robert Swope, a conservative member of the body.  She was chastised for doing so by Vice Mayor Jim Shulman who said: 

Robert Swope

"At the beginning of our last Council meeting (less than 48 hours ago) I started the meeting by requesting that all members of the Council show professional courtesy and respect towards each other and to the people that we serve. With this country divided, we need to step up and help lead the way towards bringing people together. Some of the emails on this chain do not reflect that request. I believe you can disagree with others without using inappropriate language and without being disrespectful. I expect the members of the Metropolitan Council to carry out their duties in a professional and appropriate way."

Welch defending herself and refused to back down.  She dropped another F-word commonly used by liberals to describe viewpoints with which they do no agree: "Fascism."  She said those who don't see things the way she does do not deserve respect or civility.

For more on this story see, Metro Council member to Trump-backing colleague: ‘(Expletive) off’ by Nate Rau, published in Nashville Lookout.

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Who is leading in the $ race in Council districts 11-20. Ultra liberal Ginny Welsch leads Tony Tenpenny with help of outside liberal PAC $. Unopposed Freddie O'Connell has $100K!

This is part 2 of my report on how the candidates for Metro Council are stacking up in the fund raising effort for the August 1 election. For part 1, follow this link: Which candidates have the money in the council district races, District 1-10. 

For a report on the fund raising effort of the candidates for at-large see,  Adam Dread, Burkley Allen, Sheri Weiner, Suara Sultat, and Bob Mendes lead in $ raised in Q2. They also have most "on-hand." 

For a report on the mayor's race see, John Cooper raised the most money in the Second Quarter. Briley has the most "on-hand" for the final stretch.

If you would like to view campaign finance reports for yourself follow this link.

District 11: No reports filed. Larry Hager is the incumbent and has no challenger.

District 12
Erin Evan: $4493 raised this quarter. $11,354 on hand. Contributors include Phil Ponder, former Council member and artist, $250;
Code Blue PAC, (California based liberal organization) $1,000
Nashville Business Coalition, $500;

Geric Smith: $5,313 raised this quarter, $1,884 on hand. Contributors include Rod Williams (that's me) $125:
Robert Duval (former council member and chair of Davidson County Republican Party) $100;
Homebuilders PAC, $250
David Fox, former mayoral candidate, $250

He got no major contributions, mostly small amounts from individuals.

District 13, 
Russ Bradford $6799 raised this quarter; $6260 on hand. Contributors include the fire fighters union  $1000;
SEIU, $500;
Code Blue PAC $200;
Friends of Police, $1000:
Tennessee Labor PAC

Andrew Dixon
$5,000 raised, has $973 on hand. $4,000 was a contribution to his own campaign

Dan Meridith:
$1653 raised this quarter and  has 1630 on hand. Contributors include Ed Smith, conservative activist, $971. Dan Meridith is the candidate I am supporting in this race.

District 14: Keven Rhoten is running  for reelection unopposed.  He did not appoint a treasure. No report required.

District 15: Jeff Syracuse is running unopposed. Despite this, he received a campaign contribution of $500 for Code Blue Pac.

District 16
Paul King: $5,649 raised the quarter, $3,970 on hand. No contributors of significance. No big PAC money.

Tony Tenpenny: $9,450 raised this quarter, $6,886 on hand.
Contributors include Friends of the Police, $1.000;
Lisa Dale, self employed, the wife of Roy Dale, $1,000
Nashville firefighters, $1,000
Roy Dale (former councilman, engineer) $1,000

Ginny Welsch: $10,920 raised the quarter, $11,804 on hand.
Contributors include SEIU, $1000;
LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) $1,000
WTF (Women for Tennessee's Future) $250

Comment: I am supporting Tony Tenpenny in this race. Ginny Welsch is a far left activist of many years in Nashville.  If elected, she will be the most liberal person to ever serve in the Metro Council. To see who is supporting her, visit her webpage and look at the endorsements. If you can do anything to help Tony, please do.

District 17: Colby Sledge is running for reelection unopposed. He did file a campaign finance report. He has raised $11,163. He got $2,500 from A Better Nashville PAC'

District 18. I am skipping this one for now. To see the campaign finance reports click on the links. I don't have a favorite in this race.
Tom Cash
John Green 

District 19. Freddie O'Connell is running unopposed. He has raised a whopping $36,561 and has $99,097 on hand! That is a lot of money for a district council race for an unopposed candidate. To see his list of contributors follow this link.   With that kind of money O'Connell could donate to and influence other races or have a nice reserve for future higher office.

District 20. I am skipping this one for now. I don't have a favorite in this race. The incumbent is Mary Mary Carolyn Robert. To see the reports, follow the links.
Tori Goddard
Mary Carolyn Roberts

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Look to these Council members to lead the push to make Nashville a more "progressive" city.

Last night's saw the election of quite of a few council members of the stripe we have never seen before.  Several "progressives" were elected.  It is not that the city government has not been dominated by Democrats ever since the Civil War.  It has. However, when I served in the Council in the 80's, many of the Democrats would call themselves "conservative Democrats."  About the only thing that could get one labeled "conservative" or "liberal', was how one stood on raising taxes and spending money.

Over time, the Democrats serving in the Council became more liberal and I suspect their views became more closely aligned with the typical national Democrat. Still however, few were outspokenly ideological. The Metro Council is a non-partisan body and for the most part, party identity has not been a factor. The most recent Council did move further to the left as evidence by some memorializing resolutions that were passed and the position of the individual Council members on issues such as favoring illegal immigration and a few other issues. Still, there were few people that one would point to as radical or liberal firebrands. Actually, there are only a few votes that one could point to and say, that person took a conservative position or a liberal position. I think with the new Council that may have changed. Why did this happen?

For one thing, the typical Democrat is much further to the left than a Democrat of the past. Another thing that happened is that Nashville has changed.  There are now probably more Nashvillians from other places than there are native Nashvillians. Many of these transplants are from places like California and they bring with them their California values or the values of where ever place it is from which they came. Many want to turn Tennessee into a place like the failed places from which they fled.

Another thing is that there was an organized push to elect progressives to the Metro Council. A few years ago, I heard that there was a concerted effort on the part of progressive forces to make Nashville "the San Francisco of the South."  I don't know the source of this rumor or if is is true and who would specifically would be behind it, but it sounds almost believable. It almost looks like Nashville was targeted.  Outside groups and local groups with a progressive agenda endorsed and funded candidates like never before.

Our Revolution  endorsed six candidates and they every one won. Our Revolution's stated mission is to "reclaim democracy for the working people of our country by harnessing the transformative energy of the “political revolution.” Through supporting a new generation of progressive leaders, empowering millions to fight for progressive change and elevating the political consciousness, Our Revolution will transform American politics to make our political and economic systems once again responsive to the needs of working families.  Our Revolution has three intertwined goals: to revitalize American democracy, empower progressive leaders and elevate the political consciousness."

These are the candidates supported by Our Revolution:

• Zulfat Suara, Nashville Metro Council, At-large
• Sharon Hurt, Nashville Metro Council, At-large
• Ginny Welsch, Nashville Metro Council, District 16
• Emily Benedict, Nashville Metro Council, District 7
• Kyonzté Toombs, Nashville Metro Council, District 2
• Brandon Taylor, Nashville Metro Council, District 

Another group that helped elect progressives is the Nashville Justice League.  It is a Political Action Committee composed of  several liberal organizations including the Equity Alliance Fund, Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition Votes, and the Central Labor Council. Their stated focus was on electing a more progressive Metro Council. A spokesman for the League said, "We’re going to fight for civil rights, immigrant rights and workers rights."  Below is a list of the people they endorsed.  They were not successful in getting Bedne or Lane elected but did elect the rest of their slate.

• At-large: Bob Mendes, Sharon Hurt, Fabian Bedne, Burkley Allen, Zulfat Suara, and Gicola Lane. 
• District 2: Kyonzte Toombs
• District 13: Russ Bradford
• District 16: Ginny Welsch
• District 17: Colby Sledge
• District 19: Freddie O’Connell
• District 29: Delishia Porterfield
• District 30: Sandra Sepulveda
• District 31: John Rutherford
• District 33: Antoinette Lee.

A group dedicated to electing progressive women, WTF (Women for Tennessee's Future), endorsed several candidates. All won except for Mina Johnson. Below is the list of people they endorsed:

Councilwoman Burkley Allen for Nashville Metro Council at-Large
Zulfat Suara for Nashville Metro Council at-Large
Kyonzte Toombs for Nashville Metro Council District 2
Emily Benedict for Nashville Metro Council District 7
Ginny Welsch for Nashville Metro Council District 16
Councilwoman Mina Johnson for Nashville Metro Council District 23
Sandra Sepulveda for Nashville Metro Council District 30
Councilwoman Nancy VanReece for Nashville Metro Council District 8
Erin Evans for Nashville Metro Council District 12
Councilwoman Mary Carolyn Roberts for Nashville Metro Council District 20
Gloria Hausser for Nashville Metro Council District 22
Councilwoman Delishia Porterfield for Nashville Metro Council District 29

Another progressive group supporting candidates was LGBTQ Victory Fund.  There mission is "to change the face and voice of America’s politics and achieve equality for LGBTQ Americans by increasing the number of openly LGBTQ officials at all levels of government."  All of the candidates they endorsed won. Below is the list:

• Emily Benedict, District 7
• Russ Bradford, District 13
• Nancy VanReece, District 8
• Bret Whiters, District 6
• Zach Young, District 10.

Other progressive organizations that supported successful candidates included  Code Blue PAC and LIUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America).

If you look at the above list you will notice that many of the candidates were endorsed by multiple progressive organizations.  Unfortunately, there was no organized effort to elect conservatives or mainstream candidates to the Council. I think it safe to say, that if a name appeared on more than one of these list, they are safely far-left or "progressive."  Look to these Council members to lead the push to make Nashville a more "progressive city."

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CM Jenny Welsch withdraws Her Resolution Denouncing Acts of the United States and Isreal.

by Rod Williams, Oct 12, 2025 - At the last Council meeting in the face of opposition, CM Jenny Welsch withdrew her resolution denouncing the United States and Israel. I am pleased. It is my view that the Council should not engage in debate about national and international issues on the Council floor. The local governing body should restrict itself to local governance.  These resolutions take valuable time away from the business of local government and are divisive for no apparent reason. A memorial resolution is just a statement of the opinion of the Metro Council. It accomplished nothing and I doubt anyone anywhere else really cares what the Metro Council thinks. 

The above video is of the full Council meeting of Oct. 9, 2025. To see the public comments period where the resolutions "denouncing all acts of the United States Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people" is discussed, go to time stamp 11:27. Notice that the first speaker is wearing a Party for Socialism and Liberation t-shirt. I am not sure that helps his cause. The second speaker is a Nashville member of the Jewish community who reports on how Council Member Jenny Welsch cavalierly brushed off her concern about the threat to Jews in Nashville. 

To see CM Welsh's motion to withdraw, where she unsuccessfully tries to make a speech on the merits of her resolution, go to time stamp 1:58:52. It is not stated in the meeting, but the rules committee voted for an indefinite deferral of the resolution. To read the text of the resolution, follow this link.

Below is the reporting on this resolution from The Pamphleteer. 

The Metro Council wasted time on resolutions at last night's meeting

From Megan Podsiedlik. The Pamphleteer, Oct. 10, 2025 - The meeting kicked off with a colorful public comment period during which the majority of speakers mentioned Councilmember Ginny Welsch’s resolution denouncing “all acts of the U.S. Government and the State of Israel that contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people.” When it finally came to the floor for discussion among council members, Welsch decided to withdraw the legislation with a brief explanation. 

“I withdraw this resolution today and hope that the cease fire reached today will bring an end to the horrors of the war in Gaza,” Welsch stated, before hopping onto her soapbox—a move her colleagues didn’t appreciate. The sponsor was eventually cut short while explaining how evil manifests and flourishes in the world.

“The rules call for an explanation of the withdrawal,” Councilmember Tom Cash pointed out. “And I really feel like this is going beyond that.” Both he and Councilmember Jason Spain cited the council rule regarding withdrawal. As a result, Vice Mayor Angie Henderson asked Welsch to “wrap it up,” preventing her from taking further advantage of the fact that she would be the only one allowed to speak on the resolution topic. 

Where Welsch’s resolution caused divisiveness with its explicit language asking the council to condemn specific geopolitical topics, a resolution more inclusively condemning political violence of all kinds passed with a wide range of bipartisan sponsors. During discussion, it suddenly dawned on Councilmember Zulfat Suara that all these types of resolutions may be more performative than useful. 

“This is a good resolution, but unfortunately, it's just words,” said Suara. “What I have seen oftentimes is that we say things to make ourselves feel better, but we don't follow it with action. Political violence is bad—should never happen, but there are factors that lead to it that even some of us may not know that we're contributing to.”

Suara proceeded to use the rest of her time encouraging council members to listen to Palestinian advocates and not just “stand up for one group.” She also said that the body could pass more than just “fluff” and “be more than just words” by… using their words to condemn things more consistently. Seems she lost her own thread.

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Densification On the Ropes in Woodbine

by MEGAN PODSIEDLIK, The Pamphleteer, April 28, 2025 -Last Thursday, the Metro Planning Commission rejected Councilmember Ginny Welsch’s blanket rezoning bills, including all substitute amendments. In spite of the backlash Welsch has received from constituents over her robust upzoning proposals, she told the Metro Planning Commission that this plan is actually a scaled-back version of what she originally intended to introduce.

The bills have been presented as an affordable housing solution focused on increasing density, an offshoot of proposals suggested by NEST supporters last year. As before, the pushback against such initiatives has taken on a life of its own, and the Commission’s decision to vote down Welsch’s legislation received applause from those in attendance at last week’s meeting.

Before the public comment period, Councilmember Welsch shared that she spent a year researching Woodbine’s zoning history, and made the decision to introduce the legislation after recognizing that “the entire district was down-zoned from R zoning to RS zoning in 2003”—something she claims has hindered growth in the area. She also said that her proposed Urban Design Overlay “encourages middle class housing by allowing more units on a lot, decreasing the building height, and limiting the square footage of multi-family units,” but would withdraw her UDO if Planning releases new bulk standards for RM-20 and RM-40 zoning “that encourage context-sensitive, middle-scale housing” in June. 

Those in support of the legislation were invited to speak first. Recognizing she was among the minority in the room, McKenzie Beaver of Woodbine stepped up to the mic. She stated that she believes the changes would encourage positive development in the areas where there are “a large number of vacant homes, which are often occupied by squatters,” and informed the Commission of “sketchy stores,” safety issues, and used needles discarded in the streets.

“Woodbine consists of small homes on relatively large lots, which is something that cannot be sustained long-term in a city like Nashville,” continued Beaver. “I would rather have more input into how our neighborhood evolves, rather than fight it and regret the inevitable changes that will eventually come regardless, or be left out of Nashville's growth altogether.”

Residents in opposition to the legislation showed up in full force. While many agreed that the area needs thoughtful change, the majority were turned off by Welsch's one-size-fits-all plan. Instead of feeling as though they’ve been presented with a reasonable solution, several speakers felt disrespected by the proposal and the process.

​​”I received a Planning Commission notice…five days before the first community meeting happened,” said Mitch Miller of Glencliff. “The community meeting was held on a holiday, had standing-room only flowing out the back door, there was no parking available—I had to park illegally to attend—[and] residents were told they were not allowed to ask questions on site. A week later, I'm here.” Miller went on to categorize the zoning proposals as “too sweeping of a change to delve out in one blow.”

Councilmember Welsch followed up the public hearing by assuring everyone her plan “doesn't force change.” Instead, “it gives long-time homeowners options to add a small unit for family, to downsize and stay in the neighborhood, or to use their land in new ways that reflect the community values, or to do nothing.” She emphasized that “you can keep your backyard,” and stated multiple times that her proposal—“modeled, basically, on Portland”—isn’t radical.

Planning Commission Vice Chair Jessica Farr, who has personal ties to Woodbine having helped with homeowner education and free tax assistance in the area, supported Councilmember Welsch’s intentions, but disagreed with her approach.

“I don't see protections here that work, that would address the concerns of gentrification,” she said. “I know the UDO will have some impact on design, but it's not going to keep housing affordable and it's not going to keep opportunities there for people who are currently living in that neighborhood.” Farr also stated that, in her 11 years on the Commission, she has never seen a room so full of people opposed to a proposal.

During the Commission meeting, Councilmember Welsch informed the body that another community event was scheduled for this week, though the Metro Calendar reflects that her May 1 meeting has been canceled. 

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District 16 Residents Blindsided by Massive Rezoning Plan

Dear Nashvillians,

My father, our dear Disgruntled Republican, has offered up his platform to help spread the word about some news affecting the Nashville neighborhood I call home. My district Council Member, Ginny Welsch, has filed a massive district-wide rezoning plan and design overlay affecting over 600 acres, which invites and encourages developers to reshape the historic residential sectors of the neighborhood. This plan was developed with no community input, leaving residents to scramble to make sense of it all, with only a matter of weeks before the city council votes on May 6.  

If you call District 16 home, please help by spreading the word to your neighbors. And help by sharing your voice by showing up at the Planning Commission’s meeting on Thursday, April 24 and then again at the City Council meeting on May 6. 

If you don’t call District 16 home but are alarmed by this closed-door, high-density blanket zoning approach, please reach out to your district council member, express your concern, and ask them to vote NO on May 6. What’s happening in the 16th may be a trial for many other districts throughout the city. 

While increasing urban density is of paramount importance for our city, this is not the way to go about it. 

Please see my letter below, submitted to the Planning Commission, which summarizes just a few of my concerns about the scope and approach of Welsch’s proposals. 

With thanks,

Rachel Williams

Dear Planning Commission,

I'm writing to share my thoughts and concerns and submit some questions about a proposal that is currently taking place for my neighborhood in the 16th District: Rezoning: #2025Z-036PR-001/Overlay:#2025UD-001-00.

I was first made aware of these potential changes a little over a week ago when I saw the red signs placed along the roadways throughout the neighborhood. I did an online search to learn more. To be honest, I was shocked that what I was reading was about to be on the Council Members' voting table. I wasn't even sure if I was understanding the information correctly, as I was confused at how such a massive change could go without any community outreach or input. A few days after the signs appeared, on Sunday, April 13, our Glencliff Neighborhood Group called a meeting, which I was able to attend, that shared more facts and offered more clarity.

I would like to voice my strong opposition at what is being proposed. I cannot support this massive rezoning effort and design overlay. Please let me be clear that I understand the need for increased density within the city of Nashville, but I do not think that the approach proposed here is the right answer. This measure is TOO MUCH, TOO FAST for District 16.

I consider myself a somewhat educated and engaged citizen. I vote in local elections. I read the local news. I'm on the email list for my district council person's newsletter. And so on. But this proposal was a complete shock to me. After talking to many of my neighbors, I know that many (actually everyone I've spoken to) are completely shocked by this news and unaware that any such plans had been in place too. Many weren't even clear that the zoning notice signs were for the entire neighborhood, initially thinking that they were only for the properties where the signs appear (some of which, by the way have been removed by property owners). Any attempt that Council Member Welsch has made to education or solicit feedback from community members of her district has been paltry, at best. 

From what I understand, Council Member Welsch's first community meeting about this was held last week, on Thursday April 17 at the Coleman Rec Center at 6pm, which I attended. (She admitted then that she'd hoped to hold a meeting at an earlier date but that she "got sick.") At last week's meeting, it was a packed house with people spilling out the doors, with over 200 community members in attendance. I cannot help but wonder if even more would have hoped to be there but were turned away due to lack of parking; I arrived to the parking lot at 5 minutes before 6:00, and the Rec lot was completely full. I had to park elsewhere and walk in. I think this is worth noting. As clearly there is great interest and concern about what is happening. 

That meeting demonstrated there has been no due process. In hearing Welsch's presentation she often cited the idea of your Planning Commission's NashvilleNext plan. I have looked through that plan and fear she has grossly misrepresented the plan that NashvilleNext lays out. I also understand there are to be some updated recommendations released in the summer. I do not understand why Welsch is trying to, as she stated, "get ahead" of those recommendations. To be honest, I'm impressed with the hard work of the Commission with this plan, especially knowing it was produced in-house rather than hiring some consulting firm. I appreciate the amount of community input garnered in its production; the fact alone, that Welsch has NOT DONE THAT AT ALL, should be a red flag her proposal is in a great misstep from the NashvilleNext approach. This proposal should not be the "vision of one" (i.e. Welsch's) but should reflect both the broader vision of the city and the voices of community members.

Additionally, Welsch's plan does not target the major commercial corridors, the "transects," at all. There were no zoning changes made to Nolensville Road or Thompson Lane. These transects are the areas where the NashvilleNext plans say should be a primary focus as neighborhoods seek to transition to higher density, so how could they possibly be omitted? I think there is great community interest in seeing these areas rezoned to accommodate multi-use zoning. I know I would love to see more high-density apartment buildings with ground level businesses serving the community needs below. This sort of development has been successfully appearing all over the city. Why is this not also the vision, the primary approach, for the 16th district?

Despite the perplexing omission of the main corridors, I'm concerned by exactly how much of the 16th district IS included in these proposed changes. (Though interestingly Welsch's own neighborhood is omitted, despite slated civic resources being devoted to the East Thompson Lane Multimodal Project, with massive improvements slated for traffic flow, bike lanes and public transportation amenities along East Thompson, connecting to Murfreesboro Pike, another area that shows great potential for increasing the city's residential density.) These huge swaths of the district on the map slated for change are more than highlighted areas on a map! They are our neighborhoods! NashvilleNext gives great priority to these suburban neighborhoods within the city, with a thoughtful outline for policies that both "maintain" and "enhance" the growth within the neighborhood element. Welsch's proposal seems illogical to skip so many steps in the zoning options and go straight to RM-40 and RM-20. Again, it's TOO MUCH, TOO FAST. There are other ways and ways that the community is interested in seeing, such as for permitting DADUs in back yards.

Lastly, I find many issues with the urban design overlay as well. It's limited, feels rushed, uses vague terminology, and just not adequately thought through. Welsch explained it as being a safety guard against "large" apartments (though she never defined that subjective term "large"); her overlay explanation felt like a way to placate people and honestly a deceptive explanation. But to me, the UDO just brings up more questions. No parking requirements? No plan for water runoff (we already have issues with flooding here!)? No plan for civic greenspaces? Limited requirements for landscaping and no protection for existing trees? So on and so forth.

My list of questions and concerns could continue but I hope this will suffice for now and show there is broad support to pump the brakes on the project and to involve, educate the community that feels so blind-sighted at how Council Member Welsch is essentially asking our district to be the sacrificial lamb for the city's high density housing needs. This is my community and my home. I am eager for changes in this district as I see the growing needs of the city. I've been here to witness a lot of those changes. I am a born and raised Nashvillian, with very deep ties to the 16th district. My family moved into the Radnor neighnorhood in 1989 when I was six, and still owns property there. As an adult moving back to Nashville to raise my own family, I knew that this neighborhood was where I wanted to raise them. We bought our Glencliff home in 2021. I don't expect time to stand still for this neighborhood, but I know the changes being proposed not only are not fair in their lack of transparency and approach, but are not the solution. 

With thanks,

Rachel Williams

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Metro balances the books

by MEGAN PODSIEDLIK, Reposted from The Pamphleteer, June 19, 2024- Despite a dense docket, it was smooth sailing through the final reading of Metro Council’s substitute budget during last night’s meeting. Mayor O’Connell enveloped Budget and Finance Committee Chair Delishia Porterfield in a hug following the body’s unanimous approval of the ordinance. “I would like to thank the mayor for giving us a really great foundation to start off with,” said Porterfield, in front of a backdrop of protest signs reading IT’S GENOCIDE. “My focus for this year's budget was to utilize an equity lens to [prioritize] the residents of Nashville, particularly our youth and our city employees who are vital to making our city thrive.”

Though there was a little pushback after Porterfield originally unveiled the council’s budget, it seems she avoided any courthouse scruples by making a few notable changes at the eleventh hour. For one, Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda got the $300,000 she needed to fund her “Build It Right” legislation’s construction safety oversight board. 

Speaking of Build It Right: the bill got significant support during last night’s meeting, and Sepulveda was able to pass a substitute version of her bill on second reading. After being deferred to address a few community and administrative concerns, the District 30 council member didn’t just manage to appease her colleagues by adding a contractor position to the board, but she also cut a few of the DEI requirements: specifically, the requirement to adhere to Metro’s Equal Business Opportunity Program.

While “Build It Right” got a boost, Metro Arts got a buzzcut: Porterfield ended up shaving a bit off the top of the $400,000 set aside for Metro Arts to conduct an equity study. Now, there will only be “up to $250,000” available in this year’s budget for the study.

At the end of the day, Porterfield was able to find the extra money needed for her additional spending without raising taxes or firing anyone; instead, she turned to administrative savings and Metro reserve funds.  “...I do have to be very clear that because of a mid-year supplemental, we were able to reduce those admin accounts,” she told her colleagues. “However, in our next budget, we do have to refill those accounts [and] we will not be able to tap them so low...”

Ginny Welsch
Still trying to defund
the police.

For the most part, the council seemed to be on the same page— aside from the budget, the COLA pay plan adjustments and the tax levy passed without a fuss. Even the creation of twenty-three new Metro jobs got the green light from council members by voice vote. However, there was one council member who was thoroughly iced out of the discussion: District 16’s Ginny Welsch.

Welsch proposed six of the seven amendments filed to make more changes to the budget on third reading: all defunding the police and allocating their budget dollars elsewhere. Five of those proposals never made it through committee because the “no pass for fascism” council member couldn’t find anyone to second her amendments. As Vice Mayor Angie Henderson opened up the machines to take the final vote on the budget proposal, Welsch was flustered and confused having not presented the one amendment that made it through committee. Unfortunately, she missed her window during the proceedings and resigned to the fate of her failed amendments. 

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Election results for the August 1 election. Some wins, some losses, and some to be decided in a runoff.

by Rod Williams -  Below I have listed the outcomes of each of the races on the August 1 ballot and have provided some commentary. Where you see links, if you will follow that link your will get more detailed election data on that race and more commentary.

The election was a mixed result. It was not a disaster. I am very pleased that John Cooper came out on top in the race for mayor and will go into the runoff with momentum. I am pleased that Steve Glover made the runoff. He faced some talented and popular competition. Now, if conservatives will give him the money to compete and if they will vote and will "one-shot" vote for Glover, he can win this thing.  I was worried about Robert Swope.When I saw he won, I let out a whoop of joy. He is one of the very best councilmen serving and was being targeted for defeat.  Some other good councilmen were also elected.

I was disappointed that Tony Tenpenny did not win outright and defeat the very liberal Ginny Welsch, but that race is not over. He can beat her in a runoff. I was disappointed that Tim Garrett did not win. Overall however, if we can win the Tony Tenpenny race and the Thom Druffell race and if Steve Glove can win at-large we will have a better council than we now have.  Most importantly, is the mayor's race. With the structure of Metro government, big decisions come from the top. If Cooper can win, Metro's direction can be changed, a financial disaster avoided and services can improve. I am hopeful and encouraged. Here is the run down on each of the races:


Mayor: Cooper comes out on top! 35% of the vote. Will face Briley, who got 25%, in a runoff.

Council at-large: Steve Glover makes the at-large runoff! Bob Mendes only at-large candidate to win outright.

District 1: Jonathan B. Hall easily beat back his challengers taking 83% of the vote. I was supporting Hall.

District 2: DeCosta Hastings and challenger Kyonzté Toombs will be in a runoff.

District 3: Jennifer Gamble wins without a runoff, beating two other candidates.

District 4: Robert Swope wins! Wins big!  Beating back a concerted effort by the Davidson County Democrat Party and the liberal establishment to defeat him,  Robert Swope won an overwhelming victory for reelectiion against a better funded opponent.

District 5: Sean Parker squeaks out a win without a runoff beating Pam Murray, the former council member seeking to regain a seat and Charles Flowers who had the endorsement of the liberal Nashville Business Alliance. I did not have a favorite in this race and don't know Mr. Parker, but  am pleased Pam Murray was not elected. Based on limited knowledge, the best person may have won this seat.

District 6: Brett A. Withers wins reelection running unopposed.

District 7:  Emily Benedict wins in a crowed field with 40.28% of the vote. She will face a runoff. Her closest rival is Clint Camp with 11.99% of the vote. This is only three votes more than third place winner Cole D. Rogers. My favorite in this race was Daniel Fitzpatrick who came in, in fourth place with 10.84% of the vote. With this kind of lead, Benedict would be hard to beat in the runoff. Unfortunately, it looks like the worst candidate won. She had the endorsement of the LGBTQ Victory Fund and WTF (Women for Tennessee's Future.)

District 8: Nancy VanReece easily won election with 73% of the vote beating challenger Danny Williams.

District 9:  Tonya Hancock avoided a runoff wining 59% of the vote. I don't have any insight into this race, nor a favorite.

District 10: Zack Young beat Tim Garrett with 54% of the vote to 46%. This was a surprise and disappointment. I do not know much about Zach Young but was pulling for Tim Garrett because I know Tim.  I served with him in the Council in the late 80's and I followed his career when he went on to become a state legislator. He was a fiscally conservative, pragmatic councilman and state legislator and one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet. He is part of that fading breed of conservative Democrats. He may have been the last. Tim also has deep, deep roots in the Goodlettsville community. I don't know what was taking place on the ground in the tenth district but just assumed that Tim could easily be reelected to public office. Zach Young's website does not take any particularly liberal issues but he did receive contributions from labor and "Friends of Bo Mitchell" and the endorsement of the liberal Nashville Business Alliance.

District 11: Larry Hagar won reelection running unopposed.

District 12: Erin Evans with 53% of the vote beating Geric Smith with 43% of the vote. This is a disappointment. I was supporting Smith. Evans received contributions from the California super liberal organization Code Blue PAC, and she received the endorsement of the liberal Nashville Business Alliance.

District 13: Russ Bradford with 44% of the vote will face Andrew Dixon with 41% of the vote in a runoff. I was supporting candidate Dan Meridith who unfortunately only got 15% of the vote. At this point, I know very little about the two leading vote getters except that Brandford has received money from organized labor and Code Blue PAC. The Code Blue support is reason enough to make me support his opponent.

District 14: Kevin Rhoten won reelection unopposed.

District 15: Jeff Syracuse won reelection unopposed.

District 16: Ginny Welsch and former councilman Tony Tenpenny will face each other in a September runoff. Welsch received 41% of the vote to Tenpenny's 37%.  I am supporting Tenpenny. He is a conservative and has been a leader in the effort to save the fairgrounds. Welsch is extremely liberal and if elected will be the most liberal person to ever serve in the Metro Council. She was a founder of the low-power, left-wing radio station, Radio Free Nashville.  She is often seen at left wing protest gatherings advocating the liberal cause of the moment. She has advocated for singled-payer universal health care, a minimum "living wage," and various other liberal causes. Her contributors included LiUNA (Laborers’ International Union of North America) and WTF (Women for Tennessee's Future). She received the endorsement of The Nashville Justice League.

Please support Tony Tenpenny in his runoff election!

District 17: Colby Sledge won reelection unopposed.

District 18: Tom Cash won with 50.62% of the vote to John Green's 49.05%.  I did not follow this race nor have a preferred candidate.

District 19: Freddie O'Connell won reelection running unopposed.

District 20: Mary Carolyn Roberts won reelection winning 73% of the vote to Tori Goddard's 26%.  While I did not pay close attention to this race but I am pleased with the outcome and think the better candidate won.

District 21: Councilman Edward T. Kindall will face Brandon Taylor in a runoff. Kindall got 36% of the vote to Taylor's 32%.

District 22: Gloria Hausser won this seat with 50.56% of the vote.

District 23: Thom Druffel makes the runoff in District 23!  He and incumbent council member Mina Johnson will face off in a September runoff. Johnson won 47% of the vote to Druffel's 43%.

Please support Thom Druffel in the runoff election!

District 24: Kathleen Murphy won reelection unopposed.

District 25: Russ Pulley won reelection unopposed. 

District 26: Courtney Johnston beats Councilman Jeremy Elrod! Will face off in Sept. 12th runoff.

District 27: Robert Nash won this open seat running unopposed. This is a good win. 

District 28:  Tanaka Vercher, incumbent council member, easily was reelected.

District 29: Delishia Porterfield, the current council member was reelected, beating her opponent Constance Smith-Burwell, by winning 76% of the vote compared to 26% of the vote.

District 30: Sandra Sepulveda and former Council member Sherry Jones will face each other in a runoff in the September 12th election.  My preferred candidate in this race was Lydia Hubbell. I knew she had some disadvantages but I thought she was the best candidate running. She had health issues that kept her from doing an adequate amount of door-to-door campaigning and she was hampered by legal problems involving visitation rights with her daughter. It is hard to run a campaign with those kind of distractions and limitation. While I am disappointed that Lydia did not do better, she at least offered conservatives a choice.  I am pleased that Sherry Jones did not win this vote outright. I do not want to see Jones again serve public office. 

Sherry Jones  is a former metro council member (1987 to 1995) and former member of the State Legislature who served 24 years in that post.  She ran and failed in a bid to become Juvenile Court Clerk in 2017. During that campaign it was revealed by The Tennessean that she violated State law by using State funds to promote her candidacy for Juvenile Court. She was notorious as a member of the Council and State legislator for several reasons, one of which was that she was the top spender of per diem. That is money to be paid to travel to Nashville to serve. This is what the Beacon Center wrote about her in their 2008 Pork Report: "Rep. Sherry Jones (D-Nashville), lives only seven miles away, yet Jones had the audacity to claim $22,216 in per diem allowance last year." That was only for one year or her 24 years of service!

With the choice now down to Sepulveda and Jones, I will have to look at this race carefully do see which is the least bad candidate. At this point I am inclined to take a chance on Sepulveda.

The vote shares were Samdra Sepulveda 41%, Sherry Jones 38%, Lydia Hubbell 13% and Rueben Ford 8%. 

District 31: John Rutherford won this open seat without opposition. I don't know anything about this person. 

District 32:  Joy Styles with 53% of the vote beat Cheryl D. Mayes with 46% of the vote.  I did not have a preference in this race but I think the better candidate won. 

District 33: Antoinette W. Lee, the incumbent, won with 64% of the vote, beating her challenger
Martez Coleman who got 35% of the vote. 

District  34: Council member Angie Henderson  got 66% of the vote and her challenger, Terry Jo Bichell, got 34%. Congratulations Angie Henderson! She beats back Democrat Party attempt to defeat her. 

District 35: Councilman Dave Rosenberg wins over challenger  Michelle Foreman with 61% to
39% of the vote. This is disappointing. I was supporting Michelle Foreman. I hope she stays engaged and tries again in four years when the seat will  be an open seat.

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