Former Nashville Mayor Pursues US House Seat, Aims for Political Comeback Post-Scandal
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Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry recently announced her Democratic run for the U.S. House seat currently occupied by Republican Rep. Mark Green. Barry is campaigning to diminish issues like school shootings, Tennessee’s abortion ban, the closure of rural hospitals, and the opioid epidemic. The campaign also marks her political comeback, five years after a scandal involving an extramarital affair led to her resignation from her mayoral position and a guilty plea to felony theft for cheating the city out of thousands of dollars.
Megan Barry Announces Democratic Run for U.S. House Seat
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry announced her Democratic run for the U.S. House seat currently held by Republican Rep. Mark Green on Wednesday. Barry’s political comeback comes over five years after the fallout from an extramarital affair ended her tenure as mayor.
Barry’s Candidacy and Key Issues
Barry cited various reasons for her return to politics in her announcement video. These include the recent mass shootings at schools, Tennessee’s abortion ban, the closure of rural hospitals, and the opioid crisis. Barry enters the race for one of three congressional districts that carved up Nashville during the GOP-led redistricting last year.
Barry on her Past
Once a promising leader of a prospering Democratic-leaning city from 2015 to 2018, Barry resigned after pleading guilty to felony theft related to her extramarital affair. In her campaign launch, Barry acknowledged her mistakes without going into specifics. She highlighted taking responsibility and working through the issue with her husband.
Barry’s Focus on Substance Abuse Disorders
Barry’s campaign also centers on the death of her only child from a drug overdose. Since leaving office, Barry has used her son’s story to fight the stigma surrounding substance abuse disorders.
Opponent Rep. Mark Green
Barry faces a tough battle in a district that favors Republicans and where Green won his third congressional term by 22 points. Green, an Army surgeon and Montgomery County native, has attacked Democrats on issues including COVID-19 restrictions and immigration.
Previous Career Highlights
As a metro councilmember, Barry led several major initiatives, including officiating the city’s first gay marriage, promoting growth, and bringing professional soccer to Nashville. She was a strong supporter of a light rail transit referendum, which voters rejected following her resignation.
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