After Metro election qualifying closed late last week, just two competitive local primaries will be on the ballot in March. When Nashville voters head to the polls on Super Tuesday to pick a presidential nominee, they will also be faced with choices for Metro trustee and a criminal court judgeship.
Current trustee Parker Toler, who assumed the position upon the death of longtime trustee Charlie Cardwell, is seeking to keep the job. Former At-Large Metro Councilmember Erica Gilmore is challenging him for the seat, which pays more than $140,000 and is responsible for collecting property tax payments.
Earlier this year, Gilmore dropped her campaign for vice mayor to seek the council’s appointment to the trustee vacancy, but her colleagues tapped Toler, then a deputy in the department, instead.
The winner of the March 3 primary will move on to the Aug. 6 general election, but no Republicans qualified to run.
The other competitive race on the primary ballot is for the Davidson County Criminal Court seat currently held by Jennifer Smith, who is seeking election to fill the remainder of the term. She was appointed to the post in 2018 upon the retirement of Judge Seth Norman.
Tillman Payne, a local attorney who unsuccessfully sought a General Sessions seat in 2018, is challenging Smith for the job.
Patricia Moskal, appointed to the Davidson County Chancery Court earlier this year by then-Gov. Bill Haslam, is unopposed in her bid to serve the remainder of former Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman’s term.
Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite is also unopposed in the primary, with no Republicans filing to run.
The primary ballot also includes leadership elections for the Davidson County Democratic Party and the Berry Hill City Commission.
Candidates have until Thursday to withdraw from the ballot. Voters must register by Feb. 3, and early voting begins Feb. 12.
