Early voting starts Friday for the Aug. 1 election
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Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
It's that time again. Early voting for the Aug. 1 election begins at 8am Friday.
The big picture: The ballot includes state and federal primaries and local general election races.
- Twelve early voting locations are open in Davidson County. Voters can cast early ballots through July 27.
Zoom in: Several high-profile races will determine our area's leaders.
House District 60
Nashville's most interesting legislative race is the District 60 Democratic primary to replace outgoing state Rep. Darren Jernigan.
The race between first-time candidates Tyler Brasher and Shaundelle Brooks divides the local Democrats. Brasher and Brooks each boast endorsements from elected officials as they seek to win the House seat representing parts of Old Hickory, Hermitage and Donelson. Underdog John Parrish is also on the ballot.
Brooks has been a leading gun control activist in Tennessee ever since her son died in the Waffle House mass shooting in 2018.
- She's backed by state Rep. Justin Jones, Sen. Heidi Campbell and former Councilmember Jeff Syracuse, among others.
Brasher banks on hyper-local connections to groups like the Donelson-Hermitage Neighborhood Alliance and the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce to fuel his campaign.
- Councilmember Jordan Huffman manages Brasher's campaign, which also has received endorsements from state Rep. Bo Mitchell and Metro Councilmembers Olivia Hill and Jeff Gregg, among others.
Chad Bobo and Christopher Huff face off in the Republican primary.
Go deeper: Read the Nashville Scene's profile of the race
U.S. House District 5
Freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles is facing a well-financed challenge from Metro Councilmember Courtney Johnston in the District 5 Republican primary.
U.S. Senate
State Rep. Gloria Johnson, a member of the Tennessee Three, is vying to face incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn in November.
- Johnson's most prominent opponent in the Democratic primary is activist Marquita Bradshaw, who lost the 2020 Senate race to Sen. Bill Hagerty.
School board
There is one contested school board seat, which is for District 1 representing northern Davidson County.
- Democrat Robert Taylor faces Republican Demytris Savage-Short.
- Democrats are uncontested in races for the other four seats.