Where are the candidates? Here is the list of those picking up qualifying petitions for Mayor, and at-large and district Council seats.

by Rod Williams, 4-22-2019 - Where are the candidates?  Only a few more people have picked up qualifying petitions in the last week to run for mayor, vice mayor, or a council seat. I know there are some incumbents intent on seeking reelection but they have not picked up qualifying petitions. I don't know why they are waiting to the last minute. I would want to let people know I was running and discourage a challenger, but maybe they have a different strategy. There are no districts where no one has picked up a petition but there are several where only one person has picked up a petition.

District 16 is a real disappointment. Only one person has picked up a petition and that is an extreme leftist by the name of Genny Welsch. Incumbent Mike Freeman, I understand, is not seeking reelection.  In 2006 Welsch ran an unsuccessful campaign against Congressman Jim Cooper. Welsch is often seen at left wing protest gatherings advocating the liberal cause of the moment. She has advocated for singled-payer universal health care, a minimum "living wage," and various other liberal causes. She was a founding member of the low-power left-wing radio station Radio Free Nashville.  Please, someone else needs to run in District 16. I would contribute to the cause of anyone to her right, which means almost anyone. It would be a shame if she won this seat unopposed. If anyone knows Mike Freeman, please encourage him to seek reelection. If you live in District 16, run!

In District 30, Sherry Jones is running. She is a former member of the Council and the State legislature. I would like to see her defeated. I like Lydia Hubbell but question her electability. I will be looking at the other candidates to see who has the best chance of beating Sherry Jones and as long as they are less liberal than she, I will be supporting that candidate.

In District 19, I am pleased to see Freddie O'Connell has picked up an opponent. I know nothing about the opponent, but would support almost anyone running against O'Connell.

At this time in the race for council at large,  I plan on voting for Steve Glover only.  One may vote for up to five candidates but to do so weakens the influence of your vote. You may think of it like this; voting for only one candidate is almost the equivalent of casting five votes for that candidate. Since John Cooper has announced he is running for mayor, this makes my decision to single-shot vote for Steve Glover easier.

Early on, after John Cooper announced he would not be running for mayor, I said I would vote for Carol Swain.  Since Cooper has reconsidered and is now running for mayor, I will be supporting him. I like Swain a lot but unfortunately, Swain is too closely identified as a social conservative. In liberal Davidson County, I just don't think Swain can be elected. Cooper has been one of the most vocal advocates for financial responsibility in the Council.  He is smart, grasp the issues and works hard.  As far as I am concerned, the state of Metro's finances is the most important issue facing the city.  We need John Cooper.

There are several districts where no one except the incumbent has picked up a petition or where the incumbent has not picked up a petition and only one person has. Please, if you know someone who lives in one of those districts with a liberal council member and no challenger or only one candidate and know the person to be liberal, please run yourself or encourage someone to run.

Below is the list of those who have picked up qualifying petitions to run for the office of mayor, vice mayor, at-large and district council seats as of Friday, April 19th.  Circled are the names of those I would vote for if these were the only choices and I knew only what I know today, the elections were today and I could vote in that contest.  We know that these will not be the only choices so my selections are  preliminary.  I may be changing my mind, depending on who else gets in the race. Some choices I have not made because I do anticipate someone else to get in the race who I know and who I know I would prefer. The list of those who have picked up qualifying petitions is updated every Friday by the election commission. You can access that list at this link.

One may pick up a qualifying petition up until the deadline for turning in qualifying petitions which is noon May 3rd.  That is only eleven more days.  I expected this list to be much longer by now. Maybe a lot of people will pick up qualifying petitions this week.  I hope so. Once a qualifying petition is submitted and the petition is approved, then a candidate may withdraw his name up until noon May 23rd. In that case the name would not appear on the ballot. If a candidate decides not to seek the office after the May 23rd deadline, the candidate's name would still appear on the ballot.

Early voting will began July 12, election day is August 1, and if a runoff is necessary it will be September 12th.

Please look over this list.  It is not too late to run. If you are thinking about running, it does not hurt and it doesn't cost anything to pick up a qualifying petition. If you then find someone else who you could support is running or someone else is too formidable for you to beat is running, you could simply not turn in the petition.

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In the races for District Council, who has the money and where did it come from (Part 2)

by Rod Williams - Below is information gleamed from an examination of Financial Disclosure forms filed with the Davidson County Election Commission. In listing who contributed to whose campaign, I listed those names that I recognized. I do not know everybody. There are many people in Nashville who are better informed than I about who the movers and shakers and influencers are. To view the campaign disclosures for yourself, follow this link. 
 
Those candidates who did not file a report were not required to because they had not appointed a campaign treasures in the first quarter and have not raised or spent money.   This is part 2 of this report. To see part 1, follow this link.

District 20

Tori Goddard raised $5,500, spent $1229.
Contributors: Unitemized contributions, which are contributions of $100 or less, comes to $1200; Goddard Construction $1000; Goddard Remodeling $1000; Chris Rampage an investigator with the State of Tennessee $1000; and another Goddard gave $500.

Mary Carolyn Roberts, the incumbent, raised $55,375 and spent $2,118 for a balance on hand of $53,258.
Her receipts include a loan of $10,000 from the candidate.

Contributions of interest:

• Nick Bailey, attorney, $$250
• Charles Robert Bone, attorney, $250
• Roy Dale, developer, $1000.
• Mark Deutschmann, realtor, $1000.
• Bill Freeman, fund raiser for Democrats, former candidate for mayor, owner Freeman-Webb, $500.
• H. G. Hill Realty PAC, $250.
• Home Builders PAC, $500.
• John Ingram, Ingram Industries, $1500.
• Darren Jernigan, State Rep., $300
• Bobby Joslin, Joslin Sign, $250.
• Rogers Group, Inc, $1000.
• Tom White, attorney, $1000.

District 21

Taylor Brandon received $2145 and spent $301. Unitemized contributions came to $1095. Taylor Brandon contributed $250 to his campaign. I do not recognize the names of other contributors.

District 22

Art Allen received $6340 and spent $805. I do not recognized any of his contributors.

Gloria Hausser received $4880 and spent $2663.

Contributors of interest:

• Bill Freeman, yes The Bill Freeman, $500,
• Gloria Hausser contributed $1000 to her own campaign.
• Kay Bowers, MDHA board member and Ex. Dir. of New Level Community Development Corporation $200
• Burkley Allen, Council person District 18 and candidate for at-large, $100.

District 24

Kathleen Murphy, the incumbent council member, has raised $31,226, spent $1972, for a balance on hand of $29,829.

Contributions of interest:

• George Armistead $150
• Bill Beck, State Rep. $750
• Dewy Brandstetter, attorney, $350
• John Bridges, writer with Nashville Scene, $250
• Jack Cathon, Jacks Bar B Q, $500
• Steward Clifton, former Metro Councilman, attorney, lobbyist, $400
• Mark Deutschmann, realtor,$500
• Penny Harrington, attorney, $375
• Mike Murphy, Murphy Public Relations, father of the candidate, Tennessee State House of Representatives from 1970-1986, $100.
• Bill Purcell, Former Nashville mayor, $150
• John Summers, former Metro Councilman, community advocate, $300
• LIUNA PAC (Laborers International Union of North America) $1000

District 25

Russ Pulley, the incumbent council member, began with a balance on hand of $13,156, raised $19,797, spent $2660 for a balance on hand of $30,293.

Contributions of interest

• Chartwell Hospitality, $1000.
• Schatten Properties Management,  $1000.
• Build Nashville, $500.
• Roy Dale, former Metro Councilman, developer, $250
• Tom White, attorney, $500
• Home Builders PAC, $500
• Anderson Green, developer, $1500.
• L. A. Green, $1500
• H. G. Hill Realty PAC, $500
• Friends of Darron Hall, $250

District 26

Courtney Johnston has loaned her campaign $1000 and has spent no money.

District 28

Tanaka Vercher, the incumbent, has her name listed on the campaign finance web site but there is no campaign finance report on the site.

District 30

Sandra Speluveda began with a balance on hand of $1,653, raised $4,119, spent $2,351 and did not do the math to show current balance on hand, but the reader can figure it out.
The only name I recognized among her contributors is Charles Robert Bone who gave $500.

District 32

Cheryl Mayes raised $6216, spent $4741 for a balance on hand of $1474. Her receipts include a $4000 loan to her campaign.

• Vignina Pupo-Walker of Conexsion Americas and a School Board member gave $200
• She had a donation of campaign tee shirts from Surreal Spice Creations valued at $750.

Joyce Neal had a campaign report dated 1/28/19 for the 8/12019 election but did file a report for the First Quarter. That January report showed no money raised or spent. Status of her campaign is unknown.

Joy Styles raised $3,966, spent $1,749 for a balance on hand of $2,217. I do not recognized the names of her contributors. Unitemized contributions come to $1,850.

District 34

Terry Jo Bichell raised $24,961, and spent $1,961. The candidate loaned her campaign $2000 and donated $1600 to her campaign. David Bichell of the same address, maybe her spouse donated $1600.

Contributions of interest:

• Gini Pupo-Walker, Conexsion Americas, School Board member,  $250.
• H. G. Hill Realty PAC, $500.
• The candidate received several out of state contributions, from Florida, Vermont, Atlanta GA, and California.
• Megan Barry, former mayor of Nashville,  $100.
• Bryan Simmos of  Maryland, VP of Communications with the Arcus Foundation, $1,600.  Arcus Foundation is dedicated to supporting LGBT Social Justice and Great Apes & Gibbons Conservation.
• A lot of doctors, lawyers and university professors donated to her campaign. 
• Charles Robert Bone, Attorney, $500.

District 35

Dave Rosenberg, the incumbent, raised $19,705 and spent $98. He donated $5,000 to his own campaign.

Contributions of interest:

• Bill Freeman, Former candidate for mayor, major fund raiser for Democrats, Chair of Freeman-Webb, $1,500.
• James Thompson of Freeman-Webb, $500.
• Ragan Smith PAC, $1,000.
• Tom White, Attorney, $250.
• Home Builders PAC, $500.
• Waller Lansden PAC, $1,000
• H. G. Hill PAC, $500
• Ironworkers Local PAC, $1,500.
• Jamie Hollin, former Council member, attorney, $750.
• Powell for Tennessee, $250.

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In the races for District Council, who has the money and where did it come from (Part 1)

by Rod Williams - Below is information gleamed from an examination of Financial Disclosure forms filed with the Davidson County Election Commission. In listing who contributed to whose campaign, I listed those names that I recognized. I do not know everybody. There are many people in Nashville who are better informed than I about who the movers and shakers and influencers are. To view the campaign disclosures for yourself, follow this link. 

Those candidates who did not file a report were not required to because they had not appointed a campaign treasures in the first quarter and have not raised or spent money. 

District 1

Johnathan Hall: Amount raised $4251, spent $3063, on hand $1187,

Contributors of interest:

• Tom White, attorney, $500
• Rod Dale, developer and former councilman, $1000
• Nick Leonardo, Judge, $101.
• Donna Knepper of Springfield, TN gave a aggregate amount of $3801. Candidates are prohibited from receiving over $1600 per campaign from any one person (link). Donna Kneepper's occupation and employer are not listed as required. 

Rudolph Mamula: raised $990, spent $458. Contributors: $980 was candidates own money. District

District 2

Yolanda Hockett: I was unable to review this campaign disclosure. There is a problem with the link on the Easy Campaign Finance website. I have reported this to the Election Commission.

 Kyonzte Toobs: Received only $100  

District 3

Ellie Hudson: Received $11,015, spent $15098
Contributors: Unitemized $1765. I do not recognized any of her contributors. James Hudson, Westley Hudson and Marcella Hudson gave $1500 each and another Hudson gave $400.  

District 5

Charles Flowers: Received $2900, spent $2055. Contributions: unitemized $980. He received four $500 contributions and I do not recognize any of the names. 

Sean Parker: Received $5615, spent $286. Contributors of interest: Hana Ali for State Representative, $250; Candidate received four $500 contributions. I do not recognized the name of any of his contributors except for Hanna Ali.

District 7

Clint Camp: His only receipt is a $1300 from the candidate. nothing spent. 

District 10

Tim Garrett raised $28,247, began with a balance on hand of $1844, spent nothing and has $30,091 on hand.

Contributor of interest:

• He received $4130 unitemized which means they are contributions of not over $100. 
• Anthony Holt, Mayor of Sumner County $250
• Jamie Hollin, attorney, $250
• Friends of Daron Hall, $250
• Lee Beaman, auto dealer, $1000.
• Jack Cawthon, owner Cawthon bar B Q, $250
• William Freeman, developer, $1500
• Charlie Tygard, Jr, former Councilman, $200
• Joe Binkley, Jr. Judge, $150
• Roy Dale, Developer and former councilman, $500
• Robert Joslin, Jr, of Joslin Sign, $500
• Home Bilders PAC, $500 
• Tom White, attorney, $1000 

Zach Young raised $15,219, spent $832.

Contributors of interest:

• unitemzised meaning contributions of $100 or less,$4744 Hana Ali for State Representative, $250 Carol Soloman, $125
• Friends of Bo Mitchell, $500
• TENNESSEE STATE UAW PAC $500
• VINCENT DIXIE COMMITTEE TO ELECT , $250
• VINCENT DIXIE, TN State Rep. ,$150
• BOWERS STRATEGIES, $500
• Madison Rivergate Chamber of Commerce, $125
• A loan from the candidate, $2500.

District 12

Erin Evans received $13061, spent $2784

• unitemized contributions 2031
• Gayle Ray, $104
• Several of the candidates contributions were from out of state (Florida and Ky and OH) and several were from other cities in Tennessee.

Geric Smith received $900, spent $270

District 13

Russ Bradford,  $0 received

Dan Meridith received $1232, spent $172. Contributors: Candidates own contribution $200, Will Pinkston School Board Member, $242.

District 14

Jeff Syracuse, received $16,533, spent $1160.

• Ryman PAC, $8100
• Phil and Judy Clairborn, Phil is the former councilman, $200
• Joe and Elizabeth Hobbs, $200
• John Hobbs, $200
• Bill Beck, $200

District 16

Ginny Welsch received $4140, spent $1092
Contributors: Barbara Clinton, $450, Don Mooradian $50, Several Welsch's contributed to her campaign

District 18

Tom Cash received $1190, spent $851
Contributors: unitemized contributions $1370, Jan Busing $300

John Green. Received $33,324, spent $2485

Contributors ot interest:

• Tom White attourney $$250
• Ozburn Hessey, $250
• Burkley Allen, $100
• Peter Heidenreich, $200
• Gordon Bonnyman, Tennessee Justice Center, $150
• Brenda Sanderson, ower of several Broadway honky tonks, $500.
• Michele Johnson, Tennessee Justice Center, $500.
• Mark Deuteshmann, realtor, $1,000.
• Charles Robert Bone, attourney $500.
• H. G. Hill Realty PAC, $250
• Vivian Wilholte, Davidson County Assessor of Property, $100

To be continued. Check back for Part 2.

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Metro Nashville Council considers instant runoff voting

By Dylan Aycock, Community Impact Newspaper - Metro Nashville Council is considering changes to the Metro Charter that would eliminate the need for runoff elections.

The voting method, referred to as “ranked choice” or “instant runoff,” would allow voters to choose a top candidate, followed by a ranking of subsequent preferred candidates. As it stands now, the top two candidates must go to a run-off election when no one receives 50 percent of the vote. (read more)

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Before you vote meet Swope

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What they’re saying about the release of the Mueller report

Sen. Lamar Alexander:
“Robert Mueller is a respected prosecutor. He has determined that the president did not collude with Russia during the 2016 election."

Rep. Phil Roe, 1st Congressional District:
"I hope with the public release of his report Congress can get back to working with the president on policies that benefit all Americans."

Rep. Tim Burchett, 2nd Congressional District:
"The reality is, the bottom line is, there is no collusion by any Americans."

Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, 3rd Congressional District:
"Today, the Special Counsel’s report was released to Congress but it is abundantly clear that Democrats are steadfast in their effort to prolong their dog and pony show of taxpayer-funded investigations regardless of the Special Counsel’s findings."

Rep. Scott DesJarlais, 4th Congressional District:
"Atty. Gen. Barr presented a detailed, convincing explanation of the Special Counsel’s findings — no collusion, no obstruction — and process for release of report."

Rep. John Rose, 6th Congressional District:
"There was no collusion. This was simply another distraction from the real work we need to be focused on for the Sixth District of Tennessee and all of the American people."

Rep. Mark Green, 7th Congressional District:
"The Special Counsel’s report is clear – it absolves the president and kills the phony tale that the president colluded with Russia. It’s time to close this embarrassing chapter of American history."

Rep. David Kustoff, 8th Congressional District:
"As a former United States Attorney, I believe Attorney General Barr handled the legal requirements with the public’s need for full transparency extremely well. I hope the Democrat party can finally move on and end their politically motivated investigations against President Trump."

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At-large Council races: Who has the money and where did it come from

* Burkley Allen's totals are based on incomplete data. It is likely higher than the number listed.

Not everyone who have picked up a qualifying petition for a Council-at-large race has appointed a campaign treasurer.  Below is information taken from the financial disclosure of those who have filed reports. These are the only at-large candidates to file financial disclosures. I am not the person in Nashville best connected, so there are many important people whose names I do not know. For more information, visit the Elections Commissions website and view the financial disclosures for yourself at this link.

Burkley Allen
As posted on the Election Commissions website, the report does not contain the report form but only a list of contributors. I have reported this to the Election Commission.  As of now, the total expenditures, total receipts and cash on hand is unknown. Itemized contributions: $89,672
Contributions of interest

• Friends of Burkley, $22,836
• Dave Cooley, lobbyist, $250
• Burkley Allen, $1600
• Marks Deutschmann, Realtor, $1500
• Walker Matthews, R. C.Matthews co., $1500 
• Gayle Ray, $250
• Hannah Casidy, attorney, $250
• Bert Matthews, The Matthews Co., $200
• Charles Howell, IV,  C. A. Howell and Co. $500
• Gina for Schools, Conexion Americas, $150
• H. G. Hill Realty PAC, $250
• Randy Rayburn, Restaurateur, $250
• Waller Lansden PAC, $1,000
• I. C. Thomason PAC, $1,000
• Charles Robert Bone, attorney, $500
• She received a lot of money from medical doctors and others in the medical field.

Fabian Bedne
Total money raised was $39,083 and expenditures totaled $4,770.
The ending Balance on hand was $3,1313

Contributions of interest:

• He reports $51078 of unitemized contributions. Contributions of $100 or less do not have to be itemized.
• Charles Robert Bone, attorney, $500.
• Gina Pupo-Walker, School Board Member, employed by Conexion Americas,  $250. 
• Kay Bowers, MDHA board member, Executive Director of New Level Community Development Corporation,  $250.
• Avi Poster, liberal community activist, $250.
• Mario Ramos, Immigration Attorney, $250.
• Will Cheek, III, attorney, $250.
• William H. Freeman, Freeman Webb real estate, 2016 mayoral candidate, super Democrat Party fundraiser, $1,000.
• Shirley Zeitln, real estate, $200. 
• David G. Cooley, pubic relations/lobbyist, $250.
• Janis Sontany, former state representative, $200.
• Will Pinkston, Metro School Board member, $250.
• Tennessee Laborers PAC, $2000.
• Home Builders PAC,  $500. 

Steve Glover
Total money raised was $8,404; money spent was $379.
The ending balance on hand was $8,025.

Contributions of interest: 

• Roy Dale, Developer, Dale and Associates, former councilman, $500.
• Ronnie Hobbs, Hobbs Enterprises, $500.
• Joe Hobbs, High Note Wine and Spirits, $500.
• Tom White, attorney,  Tune, Entrekin & White, P.C. $500.
• Robert Joslin, Jr, Joslin and Son Sign Co. $500. 
• Doug Pardue, Metro Councilman, $500.
• Raphaela Keohane, member of the Davidson County Republican Party Executive Committee, $100.
• Barrett Hobbs, Cumberland Hospitality Group, $500.
• Beth Harwell, former State Speaker of the House and candidate for governor. $250
• Ben Cunningham, Tea Party activist, $250.
• Edward Smith, $1000.
• Johnny Hobbs,  CEO Jackson Downs Wines & Liquor, $500.
• Home Builders PAC, $250. 

Gary W. Moore
Total money raised was $20,019; money spent was $3711.
The ending balance on hand was $16,308.

Contributions of interest:

• Gary W. Moore, $500
  Nashville Firefighters Local 140, $7,800.
• Amanda McClendon, judge, $250
• William Freeman, (I assume this is Bill Freeman of Freeman Webb, former candidate for mayor and fund raiser for the Democrat Party*), $250.
• Gary Moore, Jr, $1000. 
• Nashville Firemans Credit Union, $200. 
• Friends of Bo Mitchell, $500.
• UAW PAC, $500.
• Dewey Brandstetter, attorney, $250.
• DRIVE Committee, Washington D. C., $1000.

*Note: On this candidates disclosure form, on most entries the candidate did not list the employer and occupation of the contributor which is required by law.  This makes it difficult to know who is the contributor. 


Zulfat Suara
Total money raised was $57,076. Money spent was $15,373.
The ending balance on hand was $41,703. 

Contributions of interest:

• unitemzed contribution were $2,626
• Rahaman Suara, $1600
• Will Pinkston, School board member, $250
• Brenda Wynn, Metro Clerk, $250
• Demetria Kalodimos, $100
• Gayle Ray, $250
• Mark Deutschman, broker, Village Real Estate, $100
• Wade Munday, Executive Director, Tennessee Justice for our Neighbors, $150. 
• Megan Barry, former mayor, $100.
• Jose Conzalez, CFO, Conexion Americas, $125

Note: The majority of contributors to this campaign were people with foreign sounding names and I knew very few of them.

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