In the next few hours, we’ll learn who will be Nashville’s next mayor. And even before today, more than 68,000 people cast early ballots.

Whoever wins between Freddie O’Connell and Alice Rolli will face clear demands from local citizens after recent challenges that put Nashville in the national spotlight and at odds with the Republican-controlled state house.

Holly McCall, editor of The Tennessee Lookout, discussed those expectations on today’s episode of This Is Nashville.

“After everything that Nashville has gone through between the tornado, COVID, covenant shooting … fights over a soccer stadium in the last four years, fought over the Titans stadium and there’s still like this sort of cloud of hope that is hovering over voters like they hope for something better. They hope for an inspirational leader.”

You can listen to today’s full episode here and tune in Friday at noon for more on the election results.