Freddie O'Connell
| Freddie O'Connell | |
| Born | Thomas Frederick O'Connell Template:Birth year and age |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | 10th Mayor of Metropolitan Nashville |
| Education | Brown University (BA, BS) |
| Children | 2 |
Thomas Frederick O'Connell (born 1977), known as Freddie O'Connell, is an American politician serving as the 10th Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County since September 25, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, O'Connell previously represented the 19th district on the Nashville Metropolitan Council from 2015 to 2023. Born and raised in Nashville, O'Connell built a career rooted in civic engagement and local policy before entering electoral politics. He won the 2023 Nashville mayoral election in a runoff against Republican candidate Alice Rolli, securing the office after a campaign that emphasized transit, affordable housing, and neighborhood-level governance. His path to the mayor's office was shaped by years of grassroots organizing and council service in one of Nashville's most urbanized districts, and his election marked a continuation of Democratic leadership in Tennessee's capital city.[1][2]
Early Life
Freddie O'Connell was born Thomas Frederick O'Connell in Nashville, Tennessee, where he grew up and developed deep ties to the city's neighborhoods and civic life.[3] As a native Nashvillian, O'Connell's upbringing in the city provided him with a firsthand understanding of the rapid growth and transformation that would later define his political career. His roots in Nashville distinguished him from many of the city's transplant residents and became a recurring theme in his political identity.
O'Connell attended high school in the Nashville area. Records from The Bell, a 1993 yearbook publication, indicate his involvement in school activities during his formative years.[4] His early life in Nashville exposed him to the city's evolving urban landscape, including issues of development, transportation, and neighborhood preservation that would become central to his later political platform.
The Tennessee Lookout profiled O'Connell's rise to the mayoralty, describing a trajectory that included unconventional early experiences — including a memorable anecdote involving a "bloody clipboard" from his door-to-door canvassing days and his use of a biodiesel-powered car, both of which became part of the personal narrative he carried into public life.[3] These stories reflected an image of civic dedication and environmental consciousness that O'Connell cultivated from an early age and carried through his career.
Education
O'Connell attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree.[5] Brown University, a member of the Ivy League, is known for its open curriculum and emphasis on interdisciplinary study. O'Connell's dual-degree attainment reflected a broad academic background that would later inform his approach to policy across multiple domains, including urban planning, transit, and economic development.
After completing his studies at Brown, O'Connell returned to Nashville, where he would eventually enter public service. His educational background became a notable aspect of his political profile, contributing to his reputation as a policy-oriented leader within Nashville's local government.[5]
Career
Early Political Activity
Before winning elected office, O'Connell was involved in various civic and political activities in Nashville. Records from the Tennessee Secretary of State's office show that O'Connell was a candidate in a Tennessee House race during the November 2002 election cycle, indicating that his interest in electoral politics predated his eventual council service by more than a decade.[6] Although he did not win that race, the experience contributed to his understanding of Nashville's political landscape and the mechanics of local campaigning.
O'Connell's pre-council career included engagement with transit and urban development issues. He was involved in advocacy around Nashville's public transportation infrastructure, a subject that would become one of his signature policy areas.[7] His grassroots organizing efforts and community involvement in the years leading up to his 2015 council campaign helped establish his name recognition in Nashville's 19th district.
Nashville Metropolitan Council (2015–2023)
O'Connell was first elected to the Nashville Metropolitan Council in August 2015, winning the seat representing the 19th district. He succeeded Erica Gilmore in the position.[8] The 19th district encompasses parts of central Nashville, including neighborhoods that experienced significant development pressure and gentrification during O'Connell's tenure. Official election results from the Nashville Metro Elections Commission documented his victory in the 2015 race.[9]
O'Connell won reelection to the council in August 2019, continuing his service representing the 19th district for a second term.[10] During his eight years on the council, O'Connell focused on issues including public transit, affordable housing, land use policy, and neighborhood development. His council service coincided with a period of rapid population growth and economic expansion in Nashville, which brought both opportunities and challenges related to infrastructure, housing costs, and urban planning.
As a council member, O'Connell was recognized as an advocate for improved public transportation in Nashville, a city whose transit options had long been a subject of public debate. He participated in discussions and advocacy efforts around expanding Nashville's transit infrastructure, aligning with broader regional conversations about how to address the city's increasing traffic congestion and population growth.[11]
O'Connell used social media as a tool for constituent engagement throughout his council tenure. His public communications addressed a range of local issues and reflected his approach to transparent, accessible governance at the district level.[12]
Upon leaving the council to assume the mayoralty in September 2023, O'Connell was succeeded in the 19th district by Jacob Kupin.[2]
2023 Mayoral Campaign
In April 2022, O'Connell announced his candidacy for mayor of Nashville in the 2023 election, seeking to succeed Mayor John Cooper, who had announced he would not seek reelection.[13] O'Connell's early entry into the race positioned him as one of the first major candidates in what would become a competitive multi-candidate field.
The Tennessean editorial board evaluated the mayoral candidates in May 2023, examining their qualifications and policy positions as the campaign progressed toward the August general election.[14] O'Connell's campaign emphasized his experience on the Metro Council, his roots in Nashville, and his policy priorities around transit, housing affordability, and responsible urban growth. A scorecard published by Tennessean columnist David Plazas in June 2023 offered voters a framework for comparing the candidates across multiple issue areas.[15]
The August 3, 2023, general election narrowed the field to two finalists. O'Connell and Republican candidate Alice Rolli secured the top two positions, advancing to a runoff election.[16] Official results from the Nashville Metro Elections Commission recorded the outcomes of the August 3 general election.[17]
The runoff election took place on September 14, 2023. O'Connell defeated Rolli to become Nashville's next mayor. The Nashville Scene reported on O'Connell's victory, noting that he bested Rolli in the final round of voting.[18] Axios also covered his election, confirming the result.[1] Official election results from the September 14 runoff were recorded by the Nashville Metro Elections Commission.[19]
The race between O'Connell and Rolli drew attention as a contest between a Democratic candidate with council experience and a Republican businesswoman, in a city that had leaned Democratic in recent elections but where mayoral races are officially nonpartisan. O'Connell's victory continued the trend of Democratic mayors in Nashville's consolidated metropolitan government.[1]
Mayor of Nashville (2023–present)
Freddie O'Connell was sworn in as the 10th Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County on September 25, 2023, succeeding John Cooper.[2] The inauguration marked the beginning of his term leading one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. As mayor, O'Connell assumed responsibility for the executive branch of Nashville's consolidated city-county government, overseeing a wide range of municipal services and policy areas.
O'Connell's official biography on the Nashville.gov website outlines his background and priorities as mayor, emphasizing his Nashville roots and policy experience from his council tenure.[5] His transition from the legislative branch of metro government (the council) to the executive branch (the mayor's office) represented a shift in his role from representing a single district to leading the entire metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Davidson County.
BallotReady, a nonpartisan voter information platform, compiled information on O'Connell's positions and background for voters during the 2023 election cycle, documenting his stated policy priorities and qualifications.[20]
As mayor, O'Connell has engaged in various public activities beyond formal governance. On New Year's Eve, he was reported to have participated in a DJ set playing classic music, an event covered by the Tennessee Tribune, reflecting his involvement in Nashville's cultural life.[21]
Personal Life
Freddie O'Connell resides in Nashville, Tennessee, the city where he was born and raised.[5] He is in a relationship with Whitney Boon, and the couple has two children.[2] O'Connell's decision to remain in Nashville throughout his adult life, including after attending college out of state at Brown University, has been a notable aspect of his public identity, distinguishing him as a lifelong resident of the city he governs.
The Tennessee Lookout's profile of O'Connell described personal anecdotes that shaped his public image, including his use of a biodiesel-powered car, which reflected his interest in environmental sustainability and alternative energy.[3] These personal details contributed to O'Connell's reputation as a candidate and officeholder connected to progressive values around environmental stewardship and community-oriented living.
O'Connell's personal life has remained relatively private compared to his public service activities. His identity as a Nashville native with deep community ties has been a consistent element of both his personal narrative and political brand throughout his career in local government.
Recognition
O'Connell's election as Nashville's 10th mayor represented the culmination of more than two decades of political involvement in the city, beginning with his early candidacy for the Tennessee House in 2002 and continuing through his eight years of council service. His victory in the 2023 mayoral race was covered by multiple local and national media outlets, including the Tennessean, Nashville Scene, Axios, and the Tennessee Lookout, reflecting the significance of the race in Tennessee's largest city.[1][18][3]
The Tennessean editorial board's evaluation of his candidacy during the 2023 campaign noted his qualifications and policy positions, contributing to the public discourse around the election.[22] His background as a dual-degree holder from Brown University and a native Nashvillian who had served on the Metro Council placed him within a lineage of Nashville mayors who combined policy experience with local roots.
O'Connell's rise from grassroots organizer and council member to mayor was profiled in depth by the Tennessee Lookout, which documented the personal and political experiences that defined his trajectory in Nashville politics.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Freddie O'Connell elected Nashville mayor".Axios.2023-09-15.https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2023/09/15/freddie-oconnell-elected-nashville-mayor.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Freddie O'Connell sworn in as Metro Nashville's 10th mayor".The Tennessean.2023-09-25.https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2023/09/25/freddie-oconnell-sworn-in-as-metro-nashville-10th-mayor/70933131007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "A bloody clipboard and biodiesel car: The story behind Freddie O'Connell's rise to Nashville mayor".Tennessee Lookout.2023-09-18.https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/09/18/a-bloody-clipboard-and-biodiesel-car-the-story-behind-freddie-oconnells-rise-to-nashville-mayor/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "The Bell 1993".Internet Archive.https://archive.org/details/TheBell1993/page/n151/mode/2up?q=connel.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Freddie O'Connell".Nashville.gov.https://www.nashville.gov/departments/mayor/people/freddie-oconnell.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Tennessee House Election Results, 2002-11".Tennessee Secretary of State.https://sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com/sos/election/results/2002-11/tn-house.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Is there enough grassroots support to build on our transit successes?".Nashville Post.https://www.nashvillepost.com/home/is-there-enough-grassroots-support-to-build-on-our-transit-successes/article_1d7e8c56-0059-5f59-b634-cd540fe30dc7.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Metro Nashville District 19 race".The Tennessean.2015-08-06.https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2015/08/06/metro-nashville-district-19-race/31124719/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Election Results - August 6, 2015".Nashville.gov.https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/election-results-and-statistics/election-results/150806.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Election Results - August 1, 2019".Nashville.gov.https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/election-results-and-statistics/election-results/190801.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Is there enough grassroots support to build on our transit successes?".Nashville Post.https://www.nashvillepost.com/home/is-there-enough-grassroots-support-to-build-on-our-transit-successes/article_1d7e8c56-0059-5f59-b634-cd540fe30dc7.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Freddie O'Connell Twitter post".Twitter.2018-10-30.https://twitter.com/freddieoconnell/status/1057289849902907393.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Council member Freddie O'Connell announces 2023 bid for Nashville mayor".The Tennessean.2022-04-28.https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2022/04/28/council-member-freddie-oconnell-announces-2023-bid-nashville-mayor/9562263002/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Nashville local election: Freddie O'Connell candidate for mayor".The Tennessean.2023-05-24.https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/editorials/2023/05/24/nashville-local-election-freddie-oconnell-candidate-for-mayor/70239502007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ PlazasDavidDavid"Nashville election scorecard may help you pick your mayoral candidate".The Tennessean.2023-06-22.https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/columnists/david-plazas/2023/06/22/nashville-election-scorecard-may-help-you-pick-your-mayoral-candidate/70332666007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Freddie O'Connell, Alice Rolli secure spot in Nashville mayoral runoff".Tennessee Lookout.2023-08-03.https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/08/03/freddie-oconnell-alice-rolli-secure-spot-in-nashville-mayoral-runoff/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Election Results - August 3, 2023".Nashville.gov.https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/election-results-and-statistics/election-results/230803.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Freddie O'Connell wins mayoral race, besting Alice Rolli".Nashville Scene.https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/freddie-oconnell-wins-mayoral-race-besting-alice-rolli/article_ea0bdf6a-534f-11ee-93ea-8729e1577f89.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Election Results - September 14, 2023".Nashville.gov.https://www.nashville.gov/departments/elections/election-results-and-statistics/election-results/230914.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Freddie O'Connell - Tennessee Nashville City Mayor".BallotReady.https://www.ballotready.org/tn/tennessee-nashville-city-mayor/freddie-o-connell.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Mayor Freddie O'Connell spins the classics on NYE".Tennessee Tribune.http://tntribune.com/mayor-freddie-oconnell-spins-the-classics-on-nye/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
- ↑ "Nashville local election: Freddie O'Connell candidate for mayor".The Tennessean.2023-05-24.https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/editorials/2023/05/24/nashville-local-election-freddie-oconnell-candidate-for-mayor/70239502007/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.