Nashville businessman Darden Copeland enters Democratic primary in Congressional District 7

Nashville businessman Darden Copeland announced his bid for the Democratic nomination in the upcoming Congressional District 7 primary. 

“Politicians are more interested in fighting each other than fighting for their constituents. This district has been taken for granted by politicians more interested in scoring points than solving problems,” Darden said. “Tennessee’s working families are being squeezed by rising costs and health care that is out of reach.  I’m running to change that.”

Copeland founded Calvert Street Group, a Nashville public affairs firm. The group primarily operates referendums and land use campaigns. A native of Virginia, he has worked on the campaigns of Democrats including former U.S. Sen.Tim Kaine of Virginia, former Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, and former Vice-President Al Gore. 

Copeland has been expected to announce his candidacy for the last few weeks, and he filed his campaign committee statement of organization with the Federal Election Commission on July 24. 

He joins state Reps. Aftyn Behn, Rep. Vincent Dixie and Rep. Bo Mitchell in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Green, who recently retired. 

On the Republican side, 18 candidates will vie for the GOP nomination, including state Reps. Jody Barrett, Lee Reeves and Gino Bulso, former Rep. Brandon Ogles and former Commissioner of General Services Matt Van Epps. 

The primary election is scheduled for Oct. 7 and the general election for Dec. 2. For election details and voter registration deadlines, go to the Tennessee Secretary of State.