Candidates Trading Shots
🥠 Freddie takes shots at 2027 mayoral opponent CM Styles · Barbs are flying over Blackburn’s political ad depicting her crushing fortune cookies · TN sets new records for business filings · Much more!
Good afternoon, everyone. Mayor Freddie O'Connell takes shots at his 2027 mayoral opponent, Councilmember Joy Styles, over zoo data center legislation... Political barbs are flying in all directions on the heels of Senator Marsha Blackburn’s political ad depicting her crushing fortune cookies... TN sets new records for business filings... And much more!
New American Frontiers Join us this Thursday, July 16th, for a conversation with Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, on institutional decline, parallel power, and where political opportunities are. (Buy Ticket)
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Zoo data center legislation sparks spat between Mayor Freddie O’Connell and his 2027 mayoral opponent, Councilmember Joy Styles.
From Megan Podsiedlik
So far, only three candidates have entered Nashville's 2027 mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor Freddie O'Connell is seeking a second term and has already begun circling the wagons. Challenging him are Metro Councilmember Joy Styles and political newcomer Lou Wilbanks.
Wilbanks has positioned herself as a critic of Nashville's property tax increase and higher-density zoning. She says she's running to "represent the people of Nashville, not a political party," though her mayoral campaign is fundraising through ActBlue.
Styles has repeatedly taken aim at Mayor O’Connell, criticizing his administration’s focus on the East Bank redevelopment at the expense of other parts of Nashville, its handling of this year’s ice storm, and what she describes as a broader lack of leadership.
Her latest criticism targets the mayor’s proposed condemnation legislation, which would allow Metro to use eminent domain to acquire the property next to the Nashville Zoo slated for a data center.
“There are guaranteed lawsuits to come with this because this is poorly thought out—this is a knee-jerk reaction to the idea that people are livid that this could potentially exist,” Styles told WSMV. “He’s known about it for months.”
O’Connell fired back at Styles’ criticism during last Friday’s media roundtable.
“Last I checked, the council member was not an attorney,” said O’Connell.
The mayor also pointed to the FAA’s recent approval of an airport runway expansion, arguing the project provides a legitimate public purpose for Metro to acquire the parcel through eminent domain. O’Connell said the expansion could trigger a two-year termination timeline at Metro Southeast, forcing the city to quickly relocate multiple Metro services.
Before wrapping up, O’Connell took one more jab at his mayoral opponent.
“I would say, worse for her constituents, the council member has repeatedly denied our efforts to put public health services within the boundaries of the council district she represents,” said O’Connell. “And that is one of the things we're looking at here, too. We have long needed to reopen a Woodbine clinic.”
Metro Law Director Wally Dietz said Metro has a strong legal defense against any potential challenge arguing that the eminent domain legislation is invalid due to lack of clear and immediate public need for the property: “We are prepared to defend that in court.”
✹ NEW AMERICAN FRONTIERS
New American Frontiers Kevin Dolan, founder of the EXIT fraternity, argues the institutions most people still rely on have turned hostile to competence and entered a slow decline that can't be reversed from within. After being doxxed and fired in 2021, he set out to build the alternative: parallel institutions and the high-trust networks that hold up when formal ones don't.
Join us Thursday, July 16th for a conversation on institutional decline, parallel power, and where the political openings actually are.
This event benefits The Pamphleteer, Nashville and is priced with that in mind. Bard-level subscribers receive free admittance.
BLURBS
🥤 Sparks Fly on Elliston Political barbs are flying in all directions on the heels of Senator Marsha Blackburn’s political ad depicting her crushing fortune cookies in a sinofied Elliston Place Soda Shop to symbolize her intent to ban China from owning Tennessee farmland.
The ad landed awkwardly. Democrats called her racist and Republicans responded with a mixture of indifference and confusion.
To add to the chaos and cringe, Mayor Freddie O’Connell stuck his neck out and filmed his own Elliston Place Soda Shop commercial. As O’Connell eats a burger, sips coffee, and slurps a milkshake, he opens a fortune cookie with a message reading, “Fear divides. Nashville unites.” O’Connell then awkwardly turns towards the camera and eeks out a smile.
Soon after, Blackburn responded with a fortune reading, “Freddie O’Connell puts illegal aliens over Tennesseans.” And that’s where things sat when I got to my keyboard to tap out this missive on events that are only noteworthy because some politicians spent money on something for consumption by the general public.DAVIS HUNT
✹ METRO COUNCIL WATCH
New Council Watch Features We've added additional features to Council Watch. In addition to who's funding your council member, you can now see how they vote and who they vote with most frequently. (Take a Look)
HEADLINES
- 💰 Blackburn out-fundraises Rose with 72% donations from out-of-state. Senator Marsha Blackburn’s 2026 gubernatorial election campaign received $2.5 million in new PAC support from outside groups moving to strengthen her campaign ahead of the election. The funding comes on top of roughly $1.1 million already spent by Blackburn’s campaign, highlighting the early financial stakes of the gubernatorial race. (Tennessean)
- 📈 TN sets new records for business filings. Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced that the state recorded its highest-ever number of first-quarter new business filings in the 33-year history of tracking data. The state also set a record for annual reports filed during the quarter, which officials said reflects continued business formation and economic activity. (TN SOS)
- 🚫 Judge extends block on TN plan to report 400 sick children to immigration office. A Davidson County judge extended a temporary restraining order preventing the Tennessee Department of Health from sharing identifying information about roughly 400 immigrant children enrolled in the Children’s Special Services program with the state’s immigration enforcement office. The children’s doctors argue the policy could force families to choose between receiving critical medical care and risking immigration consequences. (Lookout)
DEVELOPMENT
- Sean Brock's fast-food joint Joyland closes both Nashville locations (Tennessean)
- Gaylord Opryland hits construction milestone in $131 million expansion (NC5)
- East Nashville building housing Australian-centric cafe Hearts sells for $1.2M (Post)
- Music Row buildings sell for $3.55M (Post)
THINGS TO DO
View our calendar for the week here.
📅 Visit our On The Radar list to find upcoming events around Nashville.
🎧 On Spotify: Pamphleteer's Picks, a playlist of our favorite bands in town this week.
👨🏻🌾 Check out our Nashville farmer's market guide.
TONIGHT
🪕 Ava Liv Mabry @ Cannery Hall, 8p, Info
+ pop folk from Franklin
🎷 The Jason Johnson Trio @ Rudy's Jazz Room, 6p, $12, Info
+ Nashville-native saxophonist feat. Ethan Assad on bass and Asher Humphrey on drums
🪕 Bluegrass Mondays with Kyle Tuttle @ Dee's Lounge, 6p, $10, Info
🪕 Val Storey, Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & New Monday @ Station Inn, 8p, $20, Info
💀 Grateful Monday @ Acme Feed & Seed, 7p, Free, Info
🕺 Motown Monday @ The 5 Spot, 9p, $5, Info
📰 Check out the full newsletter archive here.
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Today's newsletter is brought to you by Davis Hunt, Megan Podsiedlik, and Camelia Brennan.