Candidates Pick Up Important Endorsements

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- As Election Day gets closer, both mayoral candidates are adding to their lists of groups that have endorsed them.

But do those votes of confidence really add up?

Candidates want large blocks of voters on their side, and as long as democracy has existed, people running for office have always coveted endorsements.

With early voting in full swing and more people opting to vote early, Bob Clement and Karl Dean said they see a more flexible electorate not fixated on one day of voting.

"What's so magical about a particular date? And let's open up the process, let everyone vote all over Davidson County," Clement said.

"Early voting is not only important for the candidates, but it's important for the voters because it's a convenience, and it helps encourage a high turnout, which is what we want to see," Dean said.

As the candidates said they see it, the more endorsements they can get early, the better they are to lure the early voters.

So far, Clement has garnered the support of the following groups:

• Nine community newspapers
• The Fraternal Order of Police
• The Firefighters Union
• The Teamsters
• Service Employees International Union
• Central Labor Council
• Building and Trades
• The Sierra Club

For Dean:

• Nashville Neighborhood Defense Club
• Nashville Education Association
• Nashville Business Coalition
• Buffalo Pack
• An African American Civic Group
• The Nashville Scene
• The Tennessean
• The City Paper
• The New Wine Ministers (a coalition of black ministers)
• The Greater Nashville Area Realtors (approve)
• The Sierra Club

The endorsements are important, but Clement said it comes down to grass roots campaigning.

"Endorsements mean a lot. But you still have to reach out individually and collectively to answer any and all questions, and I'm doing that," he said.

Dean said that the endorsements validate his message.

"No. 1, it's a gesture you have support, but it's also a validator that what you are saying is making sense. That how you are positioning yourself as a leader for the city in this next century is being supported and validated," Dean said.

Election Day is set for Sept. 11.