After local elections yesterday, LGBTQ residents of Nashville will finally have representation on the 40-member Nashville Metro Council, but whether there will be one, two or three out council members depends on the outcome of runoff elections to be held September 10.
In the District 8 race, Victory Fund-endorsed candidate Nancy VanReece (pictured) was the top vote-getter, advancing to the runoff election. In District 17, Paula Foster, another Victory endorsee, also earned a spot in the runoff.
“This is a big step toward changing the game in Nashville,” said Aisha Moodie-Mills, president and CEO of the Victory Fund. “Nancy and Paula are fighters who will have a powerful impact on local politics and policy if we can help them win in September.”
Brett Withers, an openly gay East Nashville community activist, ousted an incumbent council member outright on Thursday night, winning more than 60 percent of the vote to take the District 6 seat.
The Nashville Metro Council has not had an openly LGBTQ member since Keith Durbin won the District 18 seat in 2007. He resigned the seat in 2009 to take a position within the Metro government.