Attorney Charles Robert Bone failed to make the run-off in Nashville’s mayoral race and on Thursday became the first candidate to choose publicly between Megan Barry and David Fox.
Just a few weeks ago, Bone said in a televised forum that he wouldn’t back any of his competitors — a comment he joked about before declaring his allegiance.
“I made a mistake,
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he said.
“
What I meant to say was: I would be for Megan Barry.”
Bone will lead Barry’s advisory business council, made up of about 150 well-known business leaders — about a third of whom attended the endorsement.
He touted Barry’s blend of experience in business and eight years on the Metro Council. He defended her votes that put city funding into high-profile projects like the Music City Center, but also into infrastructure, such as sidewalks and city parks.
Her record has taken criticism from opponent David Fox, who argues for more restrained city spending. But Bone said it’s possible for business to boom at the same time the government serves the people.
“I know that each of us agree that Megan understands that economic success and continuing to pave this road and a higher quality of life are not mutually exclusive propositions,
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Bone said.
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In Nashville, they are done together.”
Because the candidates offer starkly different views, Bone said it was easy for him to choose Barry.
Candidate Bill Freeman — who finished third in the general election — has said he wanted to back Barry, but changed his mind after a meeting, deciding instead to stay neutral.
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