NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 7, 2015) – The Nashville Business Coalition (NBC), a political action Committee made up of business leaders from across the City, announced today its support for candidates seeking Metro Council and Vice Mayor seats in the August 6 election.

“We applaud all the candidates who are offering themselves up for public service and were pleased to see so many candidates supportive of issues important to our business community. We are especially committed to supporting local candidates who understand the importance of creating a government environment for businesses and workers to succeed in Nashville,” said Nancy Stabell, NBC Board Chair.

“Based upon our extensive candidate vetting process that included face-to-face interviews, surveys and an assessment of candidates’ platforms related to issues such as land use and zoning, economic and community development, infrastructure development, support for public education, and workforce housing, the NBC is pleased to announce its slate of endorsements for Vice Mayor and Metro Council as those candidates best positioned to lead Nashville for the next four years. Twenty-four of the endorsed candidates are current or past district Metro Council members who, by their voting records and past performance have proven to clearly understand and consistently support the city’s large and small businesses. In some races, the NBC endorsed more than one candidate because of both candidates demonstrated their commitment to support and work collaboratively with business. In select races the NBC has chosen to delay endorsements until the September run-off election.”

The candidates endorsed by the Nashville Business Coalition are:

Vice Mayor Endorsements

David Briley
Tim Garrett

At Large Endorsements

Buddy Baker
Karen Bennett
Erin Coleman
John Cooper
Erica Gilmore
Frank Harrison
Jason Holleman
Walter Hunt
John Lasiter
Lonnell Matthews
Bob Mendes
Sandra Moore
Jim Shulman

District Council Endorsements (* are incumbents)

Robert Swope, District 4
Scott Davis, District 5*
Peter Westerholm, District 6*
Anthony Davis, District 7*
Nancy VanReece, District 8
Bill Pridemore, District 9*
Douglas Pardue, District 10*
Larry Hagar, District 11*
Steve Glover, District 12*
Furtesha Carter, District 13
Mark Cole, District 13
Kevin Rhoten, District 14
Jeff Syracuse, District 15
Tony Tenpenny, District 16*
Chris Cotton, District 17
Colby Sledge, District 17
Burkley Allen, District 18*
Freddie O’Connell, District 19
Mary Carolyn Roberts, District 20
Leah Dupree, District 21
Sheri Weiner, District 22*
Mina Johnson, District 23
Allen Grant, District 24
Russ Pulley, District 25
Jeremy Elrod, District 26
Davette Blalock, District 27*
Tanaka Vercher, District 28
Karen Johnson, District 29*
Jason Potts, District 30*
Fabian Bedne, District 31*
Jacobia Dowell, District 32*
Sam Coleman, District 33
Steve Butler, District 34
Angie Henderson, District 34
Dave Rosenberg, District 35

About the Nashville Business Coalition

Nashville’s business community is a driver of the local economy. Business creates jobs and prosperity; government leaders create the legislative environment for that to occur. The Nashville Business Coalition applauds community leaders who choose to serve Nashville residents and businesses through elected office. Since 1999, the Coalition, a pro-business political action committee, has dedicated itself to electing business-friendly candidates who have made the long term economic vitality of Nashville a priority. These candidates understand the partnership that exists between the public and private sectors.

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