5 takeaways from Thursday's mayoral debate
Nashville's seven mayoral candidates spent 90 minutes laying the groundwork for their campaigns in a debate Thursday that also served as a public kickoff. Here's five things to know in case you missed the debate.
Kane delivers memorable line
Perhaps no candidate stood to benefit from Thursday's televised debate more than Jeremy Kane, the founder of the LEAD charter schools. Kane, who is running for public office for the first time, trails in fundraising behind some of his fellow candidates who have been able to put their own money into the race.
He delivered one of the most memorable lines of the night when, tapping into his experience recruiting poor children and parents to sign up for his charter school, he said, "The next mayor needs to be as comfortable in the Cayce Homes as in a downtown conference room."
It was one of three times Kane discussed the future of the Cayce public housing development.
Barry supports IKEA
Perhaps the candidates shouldn't underestimate the IKEA factor. It's been well reported that Nashville leaders would like to bring the furniture and home décor superstore to Nashville. Megan Barry drew loud applause when she said she would work as mayor to bring IKEA to Nashville.
Gentry touts diversity record
Howard Gentry addressed a question about improving diversity among top Metro officials by touting his own record increasing the numbers of minorities and women inside the Criminal Court Clerk's Office. If elected mayor, Gentry said he would serve as the city's chief diversity officer and prioritize increasing minority and women representation in Metro leadership.
Bone cites the Census
Charles Robert Bone has a reputation for being able to rattle off statistics during candidate forums, but he took it to a new level Thursday when talking about violence in Baltimore. Bone cited Census-level data and crime statistics in Sandtown, the neighborhood where protests about police brutality have taken place.
Fox stumped by song selection
A round of questions not about politics — but music — stumped one candidate and provided some levity between two others. Since Nashville is Music City, each candidate was asked to choose a song that best fits them. David Fox said he had to pass on the question.
Barry answered first.
"Well, the only song I have in my head tonight is 'Votin' for Bone,'" Barry started, prompting laughter and a smile from the candidate one chair over, Bone, as she cited a song from his TV ads.
During his turn next, Bone said Barry stole his answer. He later cited "Friends in Low Places."
Here are the other candidates' answers: Bill Freeman, "Tighten Up;" Gentry, "Don't Give Up;" Kane, "Hello;" Linda Eskind Rebrovick, "The Hills Are Alive"