nashvillebusinesscoalition

After an extensive interview process with candidates running for Metro office, The Nashville Business Coalition is pleased to announce its support for 43 candidates in the Aug. 4 election.

“The Nashville Business Coalition understands that individual prosperity and city services are dependent upon having a prosperous business environment,” said Dan Haskell, chair of the NBC and an attorney with Gullett Sanford Robinson & Martin PLLC. “Therefore, it is vital to our city’s future to support pro-business candidates that help our city create jobs, attract and expand businesses and grow our infrastructure which, in turn, increases our revenue and tax base.”

“Our work, following a very thoughtful and deliberate process, has resulted in a powerful list of candidates supportive of and willing to work with the business community,” said Haskell.

The endorsed candidates are:

(August 5, 2011 update: Red indicates the winner of the race, green indicates that there was no winner and that the marked candidates will participate in a runoff election on September 15, 2011)

District 1: Lonnell Matthews
District 2: Frank Harrison
District 3: Walter Hunt
District 4: Brady Banks
District 5: Scott Davis
District 6: Hans Schmidt and Dave Rich
District 7: Anthony Davis
District 9: Bill Pridemore
District 10: Doug Pardue
District 11: Darren Jernigan
District 12: Steve Glover
District 13: Josh Stites
District 14: Robert “Bob” Budesa
District 15: Phil Claiborne
District 16: Anna Page
District 17: Sandra Moore
District 18: David Glasgow and Burkley Allen
District 19: Erica Gilmore  and Curt Wallen
District 20: Buddy Baker
District 21: Edith Langster
District 22: Sheri Weiner and Seannalyn Brandmeir
District 24: Sarah Lodge Tally
District 25: Sean McGuire
District 26: Brock Parks
District 27: Davette Blalock
District 28: Tanaka Vercher
District 29: Karen Johnson
District 30: Jim Hodge
District 32: Jacobia Dowell
District 33: Page Turner
District 34: Carter Todd
At Large: Tim Garrett, Megan Barry, Ronnie Steine, Charlie Tygard, Jerry Maynard and Renard Francois
Vice Mayor: Diane Neighbors
Mayor: Karl Dean

“As always, we had a difficult decision. All of the candidates we interviewed were passionate about improving our city,” said Haskell. “While we hope all of the candidates continue to seek ways to support business growth and overall prosperity in our city, we believe the NBC-endorsed candidates would best serve Nashville’s citizens and businesses.”

To view the full press release, click here.

The Nashville Business Coalition is a political action committee comprised of business leaders committed to supporting local and state candidates who will work to create a prosperous business environment.

Upcoming elections in which the NBC is involved:

Davidson County General Elections – www.nashville.gov/vote

Dates:

• August 4 – elections for the offices of mayor, vice mayor, Metro Council members-at-large and individual districts
• September 15 – runoff elections as determined by the August 4 elections

Early Voting

• August 4 early voting occurs between July 15 and 30; September 15 early voting occurs between August 26 and September 10

Redistricting

• New district lines have been created. To see a current map of Davidson County as well as individual district maps, click here.

Voter Registration

• Deadline to register for August 4 election is July 5; deadline for runoff elections is August 16

The Business Coalition supports candidates that are in favor of a prosperous business environment.

Candidates who support a prosperous business environment:

• Overall understand that…
  • Individual and business prosperity are crucial to Nashville’s future and economic growth and that they are linked
  • The local legislative role vs. that of the state or federal legislative role (such as immigration, minimum wage, etc.)
  • There is a “big picture” of their service to the city in addition to their individual district
  • Nashville must be competitive with other cities, states, and countries and that incentives and similar programs are positive and must be considered as a way of doing business
  • Downtown — as the economic core of the city and region — must be successful for the entire city/region to be successful
• Support the growth of the local economy through jobs by…
  • Supporting the retention and creation of jobs as a community priority and driver of the economy
  • Understanding, appreciating, and supporting business and its industry sectors in the community as a driver of the economy and contributor to the community
  • Carefully considering the impact of mandates and/or regulations upon the business community with the goal of minimizing or eliminating their adverse effect upon business operation
• Support community initiatives and processes that contribute to a pro-business environment by…
  • Understanding that Nashville’s public education system must have the resources for student achievement and success in the 21st-century workplace
  • Understanding the role of higher education in attracting and retaining students and future workers
  • Understanding the connection of economic development with land use policy and codes and zoning regulations in order to support the growth of a physical environment in which business can prosper
  • Understanding that there must be a balance between business and neighborhood needs and that businesses and neighborhood groups may and should work together where possible on common interests and respectfully disagree on others
  • Understanding Nashville’s infrastructure development (transit, public safety, etc.) and quality of life components contribute to the creation of a business climate that will retain and attract workers
  • Understanding that Nashville should continue to be a diverse, inclusive and international business city
  • Recognizing that our employees are, in some sense, our partners in our businesses as well as being citizens/voters