Elected Office · Municipal
Metropolitan Mayor
- Level
- Municipal
- Area represented
- All of Nashville and Davidson County
- Term length
- 4 years
- Term limits
- None in most counties; charter counties set their own
- Election cycle
- Awaiting verification
Qualifications25 or older, qualified voter of the county, resident for 1 year before filing. Source: T.C.A. §§ 5-6-101, 5-5-102
The Mayor is the chief executive of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Because Nashville has a consolidated city-county government, the Mayor holds the executive authority that a city mayor and a county executive would hold separately elsewhere. The Mayor proposes the Metro budget, directs Metro departments and agencies, and leads on citywide priorities such as transportation, housing, economic development, and public safety administration.
One executive for city and countyBecause Nashville is a consolidated metro government, the Mayor is both the city executive and the county executive. There is no separate 'county mayor' in Davidson County.
Proposes, does not adoptThe Mayor proposes the budget and sets priorities, but the Metro Council adopts the budget and passes the laws. Executive and legislative power are separate.
What only this office can do
- Propose the Metro budget
- Direct executive departments
- Make appointments to Metro leadership, boards, and commissions
- Set administrative priorities and initiatives
Main responsibilities
- Proposes the annual Metro budget to the Council
- Directs Metro departments and agencies
- Appoints department heads and many board and commission members
- Leads on citywide priorities: transportation, housing, economic development, sustainability
- Represents Metro Nashville in regional, state, and federal matters
- Oversees the administration of public services
What this office cannot do alone
- Cannot pass local laws — the Metro Council does that
- Cannot adopt the budget alone — the Mayor proposes; the Council adopts
- Cannot set the property tax rate alone — that is set through the Council budget process
- Cannot change state law — many local powers are limited by what the state allows
- Cannot act as the legislative body — the Mayor executes, the Council legislates
Who this office works with
- The Metro Council (which passes laws and adopts the budget)
- The Vice Mayor
- Metro department heads
- Metro boards and commissions
- State and federal partners
Why this office affects everyday life
The Mayor shapes the Metro budget that funds nearly every local service — buses, road projects, parks, police and fire administration, housing programs — and sets the priorities that guide how the city and county are run day to day.
Questions voters should ask
- Which priorities can the Mayor act on directly, and which require Council approval?
- How does the Mayor propose to fund their priorities within the Metro budget?
- How does the Mayor work with the Council, which must adopt the budget and pass local laws?
On the 2026 ballot
No 2026 race for this office has been certified in Davidson County yet. When county sample ballots and the Secretary of State's certified list are confirmed, races will appear here.