Nashville

Nashville criminal defense attorney Henry Leventis is being vetted by the FBI, a precursor to a possible nomination by President Biden as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.

The vetting of Leventis was confirmed to Axios Nashville by multiple sources who were directly involved.  

Why it matters: Leventis would serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Nashville area. 

His possible nomination would conclude a long vetting process in which the two Tennessee U.S. senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, took a more hands-on approach. The senators asked candidates to fill out lengthy questionnaires and interviewed several finalists. 

Lawyers believed to have been considered for the role were Tricia Herzfeld, Chris Sabis, Alex Little, and Sara Beth Myers, who earlier this week announced she is running for district attorney next year.

Background: Leventis works for Nashville firm Spencer Fane Bone McAllester, but spent most of his career as a federal prosecutor.

He led the litigation division of the U.S. Attorney's office and previously worked as a trial attorney for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.

Leventis, who did not respond to a request for comment, also has experience in government enforcement matters and prosecuting white-collar crimes. 

Scoop: Henry Leventis vetted for possible U.S. attorney nomination

Leventis would serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Nashville area.

Henry Leventis. Photo courtesy of Spencer Fane Bone McAllester

State attorneys

Nashville criminal defense attorney <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="Henry Leventis" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/25938055.30/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3BlbmNlcmZhbmUuY29tL2F0dG9ybmV5L2hlbnJ5LWxldmVudGlzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613b89d6ca76e632c69b8c4bB2496e46a" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/25938055.30/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc3BlbmNlcmZhbmUuY29tL2F0dG9ybmV5L2hlbnJ5LWxldmVudGlzLz91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613b89d6ca76e632c69b8c4bB2496e46a" target="_blank">Henry Leventis</a> is being vetted by the FBI, a precursor to a possible nomination by President Biden as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.<ul><li>The vetting of Leventis was confirmed to Axios Nashville by multiple sources who were directly involved. </li></ul>Why it matters: Leventis would serve as the top federal prosecutor for the Nashville area. <ul><li>His possible nomination would conclude a long vetting process in which the two Tennessee U.S. senators, Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty, took a more hands-on approach. The senators asked candidates to fill out lengthy questionnaires and interviewed several finalists. </li><li>Lawyers believed to have been considered for the role were Tricia Herzfeld, Chris Sabis, Alex Little, and Sara Beth Myers, who earlier this week <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="announced she is running for district attorney next year" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/25938055.30/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL25hc2h2aWxsZS8yMDIxLzEyLzAyL3NhcmEtYmV0aC1teWVycy1ydW5uaW5nLW5hc2h2aWxsZS1kYT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613b89d6ca76e632c69b8c4bBf987e9ff" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/25938055.30/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL25hc2h2aWxsZS8yMDIxLzEyLzAyL3NhcmEtYmV0aC1teWVycy1ydW5uaW5nLW5hc2h2aWxsZS1kYT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/613b89d6ca76e632c69b8c4bBf987e9ff" target="_blank">announced she is running for district attorney next year</a>.</li></ul>Background: Leventis works for Nashville firm Spencer Fane Bone McAllester, but spent most of his career as a federal prosecutor.<ul><li>He led the litigation division of the U.S. Attorney&#x27;s office and previously worked as a trial attorney for the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.</li><li>Leventis, who did not respond to a request for comment, also has experience in government enforcement matters and prosecuting white-collar crimes. </li></ul>

News

Politics

In a move that could end the era of nonpartisan education politics, the Davidson County Democratic Party will soon vote on whether to hold primary elections in Nashville school board races.

During a special session last month, the state legislature passed a law allowing county political parties to vote on making school board elections partisan.

In an email chain obtained by Axios Nashville, the state Democratic Party urged county officials to embrace the new law and vote in favor of partisan elections if their Republican counterparts do the same.

Why it matters: Although most Nashville school board members would identify as Democrats, elections are currently nonpartisan, a system advocates say lends itself to less vitriol and allows talented Republican-leaning politicians a chance to win spots on the board.

Driving the news: County parties have until Dec. 10 to answer on holding primary elections in 2022.

What's next: Davidson County Democratic Party chairperson Tara Houston confirmed the discussion is on the agenda and a digital vote could happen today or Monday.

"If we don't call for the primary, (Democratic) candidates will run as independents as they've always done," Houston tells Axios over email. "The GOP may still hold a primary, which means Republican school board candidates may be on the ballot in August without Democratic opposition. 

"It's a bad law — we’re discussing what we do now with the reality (we're) in."

Context: In the email chain, the state Democratic Party said county executive committees should "answer any Republican primaries with Democratic primaries."

Republicans view partisan school board elections as working in their favor across Tennessee, but in the mostly liberal Davidson County, it will be a steep climb.

The other side: Former Nashville school board member Will Pinkston, who previously advised Gov. Phil Bredesen and has worked around city politics for much of his career, says switching to partisan elections could cut out quality candidates from seeking office.

Pinkston says the onus will fall to the county party to take action if a pro-education reform candidate who is actually a Republican runs for school board as a Democrat.

"Would this have prevented people like (former board members) David Fox and Steve Glover from serving? Generally speaking, they're both out of step with most Nashville voters but were decent school board members," Pinkston tells Axios. 

Scoop: Nashville Dems ponder partisan school board races

Illustration of an apple with an I Voted sticker.

Education

In a move that could end the era of nonpartisan education politics, the Davidson County Democratic Party will soon vote on whether to hold primary elections in Nashville school board races.<ul><li>During a special session last month, <a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text="the state legislature passed a law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2021/11/12/tennessee-gov-bill-lee-greenlights-partisan-school-board-elections/6284601001/" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2021/11/12/tennessee-gov-bill-lee-greenlights-partisan-school-board-elections/6284601001/" target="_blank">the state legislature passed a law</a> allowing county political parties to vote on making school board elections partisan.</li><li>In an email chain obtained by Axios Nashville, the state Democratic Party urged county officials to embrace the new law and vote in favor of partisan elections if their Republican counterparts do the same.</li></ul>

The Nashville SC matched its surprising on-field success this year with a business-side hat trick by its front office. 

The club ranked in the top third among 27 Major League Soccer teams in home attendance, beat projections for season ticket sales, and is ahead of schedule on construction of its new fairgrounds stadium.

Why it matters: The Nashville SC ownership group took a financial risk in bringing MLS to Music City in 2020, and the new franchise came with understandable skepticism.

While Nashville became the first MLS expansion team to reach the playoff semifinals in each of its first two seasons, the front office was quietly delivering off the field.

By the numbers: The club finished with an average home attendance of 21,200, highlighted by 26,913 fans on Nov. 7.

"Our season ticket number is very much a day-to-day moving target, but most recently we pushed through 18,000 season tickets sold," CEO Ian Ayre tells Axios.

What's next: Perhaps most importantly, the $335 million fairgrounds stadium is on track to open in time for the 2022 season. 

Construction of the surrounding mixed-use development will begin in January, Ayre says.

What he's saying: "Pretty much every metric at our club is growing month to month and projected to grow further in 2022 when we are able to capitalize on greater revenues operating in our own venue," Ayre says.

Nashville SC business booms

"Recently we pushed through 18,000 season tickets sold."

Hany Mukhtar, right, of the Nashville SC during a 2020 game in Nissan Stadium kicking the ball.

Hany Mukhtar, right, of the Nashville SC during a 2020 game in Nissan Stadium. Photo: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

Soccer

The Nashville SC matched its surprising on-field success this year with a business-side hat trick by its front office. <ul><li>The club ranked in the top third among 27 Major League Soccer teams in home attendance, beat projections for season ticket sales, and is ahead of schedule on construction of its new fairgrounds stadium.</li></ul>

Sports

The Metro Planning Department is wrapping up its local redistricting efforts with the release of the third drafts of new Metro Council and school board district boundaries.

Residents can give feedback on the new districts until 3pm Tuesday. The planning commission is expected to vote on the maps, including any late changes, on Thursday.

What's next: The Metro Council cannot make changes to the finished maps, but councilmembers will vote on whether to approve or reject them. A final vote is expected in January.

Local redistricting ramps up

The Metro Planning Department is wrapping up its local redistricting efforts.

Map showing new council districts under a proposed redistricting plan in Nashville.

Map showing new council districts under a proposed redistricting plan in Nashville. Image courtesy of Nashville Planning Department

Redistricting

The Metro Planning Department is wrapping up its local redistricting efforts with the release of the third drafts of new Metro Council and school board district boundaries.

Mayor John Cooper's proposed $568 million capital spending plan for new buildings and infrastructure projects will be up for a vote when the Metro Council meets tonight.

Why it matters: The spending plan will need to survive a series of amendments seeking to delete some of Cooper's proposed projects.

One amendment would reroute $15 million earmarked for a zoo parking garage to transit and pedestrian safety projects.

Councilmembers have also proposed to defund the Wharf Park project located on the river south of downtown, as well as the Jefferson Street interstate cap project.

Driving the news: Also on the council agenda tonight is Councilmember Burkey Allen's new tax incentive proposal for downtown area developers to include workforce and affordable housing units in their projects.

Council will also vote on a proposal to create the Office Of Housing and Homelessness.

Metro Council tackles Cooper spending plan

Mayor John Cooper's proposed $568 million capital spending plan is up for a vote.

An exterior shot of the large marble Metro Courthouse in Nashville.

The Metro Courthouse. Photo: Mark Humphrey/AP

Local government

Mayor John Cooper&#x27;s proposed<a class="gtm-content-click" data-vars-link-text=" $568 million capital spending plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/10/25/nashville-commits-1b-capital-spending-2021-education" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2021/10/25/nashville-commits-1b-capital-spending-2021-education" target="_self"> $568 million capital spending plan</a> for new buildings and infrastructure projects will be up for a vote when the Metro Council meets tonight.

Nate Rau

Featured stories

Nashville SC business booms

Metro Council tackles Cooper spending plan

Local redistricting ramps up

Scoop: Henry Leventis vetted for possible U.S. attorney nomination

Scoop: Nashville Dems ponder partisan school board races