O'Connell, Blackburn spar with fortune cookies on social media
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Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn engaged in a war of fortune cookies on social media over the weekend.
Why it matters: The spat could blow over as typical partisan gamesmanship, or it could foreshadow a dysfunctional relationship ahead.
State of play: O'Connell has more than one year remaining on his term and is the favorite to win reelection in the 2027 mayor's race.
- Blackburn is the favorite in this year's governor's race.
Catch up quick: Blackburn released her debut gubernatorial campaign ad earlier this month in which she smashed fortune cookies and reiterated her tough-on-China stance.
- Critics bashed it as offensive for employing stereotypical tropes, including the sound of a gong.
- The ad also generated buzz because it was filmed at Elliston Place Soda Shop, a legendary diner in the heart of liberal Nashville.
Inside the cookie: O'Connell released a video on social media over the weekend showing him dining at Elliston Place Soda Shop and then opening a fortune cookie that reads, "Fear divides. Nashville unites."
- O'Connell flashes a smirk to the camera at the end of the video.
The other side: Not to be outdone, Blackburn took to social media and posted yet another fortune cookie that read, "Freddie O'Connell puts illegal aliens over Tennesseans."
- In the post, Blackburn reiterated her criticism of O'Connell's response to last year's ICE raids in Nashville and for sending Metro funds to the pro-immigrant nonprofit TIRRC, the Tennessee Immigrant ad Refugee Rights Coalition.
The bottom line: The city and state's political relationship functions best if the mayor and governor are getting along. The dueling social media posts send a signal that O'Connell and Blackburn are on shaky ground.