Freddie O’Connell, a former two-term downtown Metro Council member, has been elected as the 10th mayor of Metropolitan Nashville. O’Connell secured a decisive victory in the runoff election against business leader and former political strategist Alice Rolli, receiving 63.8% of the 114,226 votes cast. In his victory speech, O’Connell emphasized his vision for making Nashville a place where people want to stay by investing in schools, parks, and libraries. He also highlighted the importance of efficient and responsive local government that addresses the needs of its residents.
The mayoral race between O’Connell and Rolli was marked by polarized visions for Nashville’s future. Both candidates agreed on key issues such as improving transit, supporting schools, addressing affordability concerns, resetting the city’s relationship with the state, and prioritizing public safety. However, they differed on the approaches to achieve these goals.
O’Connell ran as a “true progressive,” focusing on bolstering basic city services, developing a workable transit plan, and placing residents at the center of city priorities. He highlighted Nashville’s rapid growth and popularity and aimed to ensure that all Nashvillians benefit from it. Rolli, on the other hand, identified her politics as “right of center” and presented herself as a necessary change from the “permanent political class.” She emphasized building bridges with state and regional leaders and avoiding the approach that she believes has failed other big cities.
O’Connell’s campaign received early support from labor groups and fellow council members, and he consolidated the business community’s support during the runoff campaign. His donor list includes a broad base of organizations with clashing interests, creating a potential challenge for him to navigate while in office. Rolli, with a background in business strategy and experience in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, positioned herself as a change agent. She received endorsements from the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police, the Davidson County Republican Party, and Community Leaders for America.
O’Connell’s victory makes him the fourth Nashville mayor elected after serving on the Metro Council. His strong knowledge of Metro government and policy, as well as his eight years of representing the fastest-growing district in Nashville, set him apart from other candidates. He gained endorsements from several former competitors and secured support and donations from labor unions and prominent Nashville business interests.
While Rolli has congratulated O’Connell on his victory, she hinted at the possibility of returning to politics in the future. For now, she plans to focus on writing thank you notes and enjoying a margarita.
As O’Connell assumes the role of mayor, the expectations for his administration are high. Nashville residents will be looking to see how his vision translates into tangible improvements in their daily lives, including better schools, improved infrastructure, and a more responsive local government.