Neither Mayoral Candidate Did Well With Nashville’s African-Americans; How Do They Win Them Over?

Neither candidate remaining in Nashville’s race for mayor got many votes in predominantly African-American parts of town. In some North Nashville precincts, both were in the single-digits. So WPLN asked what the mayoral hopefuls would say to win over black voters.

At-large Metro Council member Megan Barry says her message doesn’t need tailoring to meet any particular geography.

“It doesn’t matter where you live in Nashville,” Barry says. “People care about transit. They care about public education. And they care about affordability.”

Barry argues it’s not that she’s unpopular with African-Americans but that she wasn’t as well-liked as Howard Gentry or Bill Freeman. Both men failed to make the runoff but captured a majority of the votes in North Nashville and Antioch.

Barry did have a slight edge on former school board chairman David Fox, who acknowledges his lack of personal connections. So on recent visits to African-American church services and community events, Fox says he’s tried to shoot straight.

“I don’t expect you to trust me, and based on how politicians have behaved, I don’t blame you for not trusting me,” he says. “But I promise you I will work hard to earn your trust, and I expect I will do so.”

Fox says the pitch seems to work in his one-on-one encounters. However, Barry has been able to
secure some key endorsements among African-American community leaders, including pastor Enoch Fuzz, council members Jerry Maynard and Lonnell Matthews and Reps. Brenda Gilmore and Harold Love Jr.