Exclusive: Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell commits to running for reelection

The big picture: A Nashville mayor hasn't won a second term since Karl Dean in 2011.

Driving the news: O'Connell tells Axios he wants a second term in part because the city is in the early stages of three "generational" projects: the Choose How You Move transportation plan, revitalizing the East Bank and Metro's long-term housing strategy.

What he's saying: "These are all decade-or-more scenarios. I think Nashvillians deserve the predictability of ensuring they get out of the gates in good, sturdy fashion," O'Connell says.

• "It's important to have some stability within Metro," he says. "I think the team we've assembled to work on these generational projects is the right team for the city."

Zoom out: O'Connell reiterated he wants to continue focusing on affordability. That includes housing and transportation, which he called "top-tier priorities," but also initiatives like cutting red tape for day care centers and his new plan to reduce the grocery tax.

• "We've had a lot of success, but I think there's a considerable bit more to do to strengthen the foundation we've laid here," he said.
• He also previewed a campaign sales pitch that will focus on declining crime stats, improving schools and stabilizing Metro finances.

In the room: O'Connell hired veteran political operative Emily Cupples to manage his campaign. Cupples is also contracted as a consultant for the laborers' union.

• She previously worked on Councilmember Delishia Porterfield's campaign in 2023.

State of play: O'Connell built up a healthy war chest in the neighborhood of $500,000. The only challenger for the 2027 election so far is Councilmember Joy Styles.

The other side: Styles touted her pro-business track record and Antioch's growth as part of her sales pitch.

• There's also growing chatter that more candidates, such as state Rep. John Ray Clemmons, could enter the race.

Friction point: Recent polls have shown O'Connell's approval rating holding strong at over 50%. But a growing number of residents have recently indicated they believe the city is on the wrong track.

• Downtown business owners have cranked up their complaints in recent months about last year's property tax increase.

• City leadership has also gotten flak for its handling of the January ice storm, though residents are primarily angry at NES, not the mayor's office, according to a poll earlier this year.

What's next: Asked for his top priorities for the remainder of his current term, O'Connell singled out the East Bank and continued investments in housing. "I want to see something more than the stadium on the East Bank," O'Connell says.

• He also pointed to his trademark political accomplishment, the Choose How You Move campaign.

Flashback: Early funding from the transportation plan has been used to modernize some traffic signals, provide free bus passes to economically disadvantaged residents and create a queue-jump turn lane for buses at a busy intersection on Murfreesboro Pike.

• "We should have by next year the majority of the signalized intersections for downtown enabled for smarter signals," he said. "We'd really love to see Nashvillians experiencing more green lights at multiple different intersections."

The bottom line: With his high name recognition, solid approval rating and healthy fundraising, O'Connell's campaign is in a good spot, despite headwinds.

• The increasing number of voters who think the city is on the wrong track could still trigger a competitive mayor's race next year.