Clement, Dean Claim Runoff Spots For Nashville Mayor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Congressman Bob Clement and political newcomer Karl Dean claimed spots Thursday in a runoff election to become Nashville mayor.

Related: Full Election Coverage, Results | Video - Exclusive: Karl Dean, Bob Clement Soundoff On Election | Video: Gentry Could Play Key Role In Runoff | Video: Karl Dean Focuses On Positive Runoff | Video: Clement: 'City Not For Sale To Highest Bidder'

According to unofficial returns, both polled 24 percent in the nonpartisan election involving seven candidates.

They will face off Sept. 11 in the runoff because no one received 50 percent of the vote.

Incumbent Mayor Bill Purcell isn't running after serving two terms.

Clement, the son of a former governor, also is a former Tennessee Valley Authority board member and ex-president of Cumberland University in Lebanon. He has run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate and governor.

Dean currently is Purcell's law director and is a former public defender.

Finishing third was Vice Mayor Howard Gentry, who sought to become Nashville's first black mayor. He finished with 23 percent of the vote.

Councilman David Briley and former fire chief Buck Dozier also ran.

Key issues in the race have included improving schools, fighting juvenile crime and spurring downtown and riverfront development.

During a unique campaign event organized by the Nashville Homeless Power Project, Briley, Dean, Dozier and Gentry spent a night on the streets to see what life is like for the homeless in the city.

The date of the runoff was changed by the General Assembly, which passed legislation that advanced the original runoff by two days so it wouldn't fall on Rosh Hashana, a holiday when observant Jews are prohibited from doing any work, including voting.

Brief History of Nashville Mayor Runoffs

Metro Nashville has had mayor's races in 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003. In all of those races, the candidate who won the general election also won the runoff:

1987-Boner
1991-Bredesen
1995-Bredesen
1999-Purcell
2003-Purcell

None of these races were as tight as the 2007 race. In 1999 when Purcell and Richard Fulton were the top vote getters, Fulton conceded the election to Purcell.

Nashville Vice-Mayor Race

Diane Neighbors will become Nashville's first female Vice-Mayor after defeating Carolyn Tucker and Linda Perry.

Carolyn Tucker 30,061 votes - 34%
Linda Perry 6,113 Votes - 7%
Diane Neighbors 51,291 votes - 59%

Precincts Reporting - 170 out of 170 - 100%

Special Section: Nashville Mayoral Election