Prominent restaurateur throws chef's hat into Council race

Resignation of Metro Council member starts race to replace

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

Randy Rayburn

Randy Rayburn, owner of the Midtown Cafe, Sunset Grill and Cabana restaurants tells NashvillePost.com that he will be a candidate for the District 18 Metro Council seat being vacated by Keith Durbin.

Durbin, a first-term Council member, announced Tuesday that he is resigning his seat to become Metro's new chief information officer Jan. 5. He previously served as an IT analyst at HCA.

Asked about the reasons for his candidacy, Rayburn said, "I have resided in this district for the majority of my 37 years in Nashville and have worked with Stewart Clifton and Ginger Hausser to promote smart growth development policies for Vanderbilt, Belmont and the surrounding communities. I want to give back to a community that has given me great opportunities."

Prior to entering the restaurant business, Rayburn was a longtime Democratic operative, working as a legislative aide for the Democratic caucus in the state senate and on numerous campaigns at the state, local, and federal levels.

More recently, Rayburn has served on former Mayor Bill Purcell's Music City Center Task Force and various chamber of commerce boards. He presently sits on the board of Nashville State Community College.

Other possible candidates for the seat are attorneys Allen Woods, Ross Pepper and Maria Salas. Pepper is the husband of former Metro Council member Ginger Hausser.