Nashville votes for property assessor, school board, judge seat
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Photo: Courtesy of the Wilhoite campaign
Six months after an unsuccessful bid for mayor, Vivian Wilhoite reasserted her political clout and won by a wide margin the Democratic primary for her current role of Davidson County assessor of property.
Why it matters: There isn't a Republican on the ballot, so Wilhoite is assured re-election.
- The property assessor serves the important role of determining values for Davidson County properties, which plays a part in deciding the city's tax rate.
Flashback: Wilhoite, a former Metro Council member from the Antioch area, unseated longtime incumbent assessor George Rooker in 2016.
- She became the first Black person to hold the job.
Catch up quick: Known as a ferocious campaigner with deep political connections, Wilhoite went on to finish seventh in last year's mayoral general election and endorsed eventual winner Freddie O'Connell in the runoff.
Circuit court judge
Democratic voters also voted in Stephanie Williams for circuit court judge. Williams will fill the term of Judge Phillip Smith, who died in 2022.
- Williams defeated three opponents, including interim Judge Stan Kweller, who was temporarily appointed to the bench by Gov. Bill Lee.
School board
Four new school board members were chosen by Democratic primary voters. Incumbent members Freda Player and Abigail Tylor, who were unopposed, won their races.
- Newcomers Zach Young and TK Fayne, who were also unopposed, won their seats as well. None of those candidates have Republican opponents in the August election, making their victories a near certainty.
Yes, but: The District 1 race to replace outgoing board member Sharon Gentry will be contested in August.
- Democrat Robert Taylor defeated his closest opponent by just 104 votes to win the primary. He will face Republican Demytris Savage-Short.
Between the lines: Democrats have won every school board race since they became partisan elections two years ago.