Rep. Clemmons to run for Nashville mayor

Democratic Rep. John Ray Clemmons tells The Tennessean’s Joey Garrison he will run for Nashville mayor this year.

“I’m prepared to provide that strong, decisive leadership that Nashvillians expect and deserve,” Clemmons told the paper.

State Rep. @JRClemmons to run for Nashville mayor, challenging @MayorBriley https://t.co/FAlTtGOo7H

— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) January 16, 2019

Clemmons, 41, will challenge incumbent David Briley, who was elected to fill the unexpired term of former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry last year. Because it is an off-year election, Clemmons won’t have to give up his House seat to run.

Clemmons defeated incumbent Rep. Gary Odom, a former House Democratic leader, in the 2014 primary for House District 55.