Sharon Hurt

Sharon Hurt

This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and the Nashville Post. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news and will launch early next year. For more information, visit NashvilleBanner.com.

At-Large Metro Councilmember Sharon Hurt filed paperwork Friday to begin raising money for a mayoral run. She is the third major challenger to Mayor John Cooper, following District Councilmember Freddie O’Connell and former MDHA executive Matt Wiltshire. Hurt is the first African-American candidate to enter the race and her ties to North Nashville, where she was the longtime executive director of the nonprofit Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership, will boost her chances considerably. She spoke to the Banner about her coming campaign.