Candidates Reflect On Possibilities Of Winning, Losing

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Nashville voters will decide who is the next mayor on Tuesday, and both candidates are reflecting and looking ahead.

Related: Video: Candidates Look Forward To Election | Special Section: Nashville Mayoral Election

Both Karl Dean and Bob Clement hope the campaign trail ends at City Hall.

Clement has been campaigning for a year and a half, and Dean has been on the trail for nine months.

What goes through their minds with the leadership of a city at stake?

“It’s more anticipation that as the time runs out, that there’s anticipation, a little bit more nervousness about it. … They keep me very busy. I mean. I am given a schedule. I’m just going to stay busy, that’s all I can do,” Dean said.

“At a point in time, it comes to let go, let God. You know, because, you’ve done everything you can do and then you just have to let the people of Nashville make the final determination who they want as the next mayor for the next four years,” Clement said.

Losing was hard for both men to fathom.

“I’ve got a career, I’ve got a profession. What I’m going to do? I don’t know. I mean, I’ll be fine. I’m really focused on winning,” Dean said.

“I’m at peace with myself either way. I truly am because I can make a good living in the private sector, I’m not worried about that. But, public service is very important to me,” Clement said.

Clement or Dean will begin serving his term 10 days after the election.

The polls open at 7 a.m. Tuesday.

Special Section: Nashville Mayoral Election