Meet Stephen Downs, candidate for Nashville Metro Council At-Large

Editor's note: The Tennessean Editorial Board invited candidates for the 2023 Metro Nashville-Davidson County municipal elections to fill out our questionnaire. They include biographical information and answers to 12 questions on variety of topics from key policy issues to their recommendation for visitors on what to see or do in the city.

Election Guide:Learn about candidates running in the Aug. 3 Metro Council At-Large election | Editorial

Key dates:

• July 5: Voter registration deadline
• July 14-29: Early voting
• July 27: Deadline to request absentee ballot
• Aug. 3: Election
• Sept. 14: Runoff election

Biographical information

• Name: Stephen Downs
• Which office are you seeking? Metro Council At-Large
• Age: 62
• What neighborhood/part of the county do you live in? Madison, TN
• Education: American Baptist (Core Curriculum) Tennessee State University (B.S. Sociology) University of Tennessee (Knoxville) (Paralegal) Northern Virginia (Call Center Management) Military Order of the Purple Heart (Business Managment) Western Governors University) 19 semester hours towards master's Health Care Management)
• Job history: Retired / Social Work & Health Care
• Family: Carolyn (wife) Stephanie (daughter) Stephen (son) Jesse (son)

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Twelve questions for the candidates

Why are you running for this office?

I am a lifelong resident of Nashville, TN., and It is an exceptional and exciting time here in Nashville with all the newcomers as well as the established folks whom of which have always been here. I am a believer in diversity, and I embellish this taste and flavor, Nashville has become. I want to be that person that can engage and build bridges of compromise on behalf of all of the greater Nashville area in order to get things done and not just talk about them while in gridlock. I want to make a difference here in terms of getting meaningful things done for the people and I promise that with your help, and only with your help, we will make that happen. Vote2GetItDone.

What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?

My education, passion, unconditional love for all people, and a sincere dedication to get things done qualifies me for this office. My strong belief in equality keeps me humble so I will not say I am better qualified than anyone else who has decided to run for this office. I will say however that it is my strong belief that I am as qualified as the next person who has taken on this journey to move forward in our city.

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If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?

If I am fortunate to be elected my priorities in no specific order will be working nonstop to improve on our local public and private education systems, affordable housing, continuing to support our first responders, and working closer with the legislature in an effort to maintain our integrity in municipal government in terms of keeping our election processes in place, maintaining and building on our infrastructure, transportation systems and boards.

What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?

It varies anywhere from the age of constituents to their party affiliation, for instance younger folks maybe 18-25 tend to believe we are on the right track in terms of and for instance, building the new stadium (Titans) while folks above 50 do not necessarily buy into that, and to complicate these issues further it is certain that there is favor and disfavor along those same party affiliations in various socio-economic issues ie.., housing, transportation, and education so these are issues that we must be willing to unpack and genuinely make efforts to be inclusive and have the wherewithal to compromise on tough issues that affect everyone in our communities and if I am elected I will be embracing that task for all of Nashville, and for our future.

A 2023 Vanderbilt poll showed that most Nashvillians do not agree with the direction of the city. Do you agree? Why or why not?

I will neither agree nor disagree on that subject, while polling is useful, in a variety of ways, and while it can be a decent information gathering tool, the information gathered can be taken with a grain of salt so to speak. In addition, it is rarely or never a 100% accurate representation of an entire demographic, however in fairness, a large sampling may give a fair representation of what the user is attempting to accomplish.

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What is your assessment of the performance of the Mayor and Metro Council over the last four years?

I am one of the roughly six out of ten people that supports our Mayor, with his willingness and efforts to take on the tough challenges that we have faced as a "major growth city." In addition, I equally believe that he has tried to listen to all of the people as a whole and to strike a balance with Democrats, Republicans, and Independents even though it has been tough on him. As to the council itself members have strived to support their communities as best, they could, considering what was at hand. I will say though that since 2015 on three to five occasions Nashville voters have soundly rejected members of council wanting a free pass to keep serving after they have completed their terms on the council, so to those that want to jump into the At Large race after serving two terms, Nashville voters should soundly reject them at the polls for their attempt to circumvent the will of the people.

Affordable/attainable housing has been named by citizens again and again (NashvilleNext, polling, etc.) as a top concern. What should the city do to address this crisis?

I have always believed that Nashville is a place that people, developers, and industries want to be a part of, so it follows that you have to engage those folks to do more for this city if they want to set up shop here. Having said that it would be a priority for me to engage those folks with a path to come here and it would require them to "buy in" for example if you want to develop housing here it is a nonstarter if you do not want to provide a number of units as affordable for everyday people who are less fortunate and cannot afford the new price tags that come with new development. If you want your industry here, then it will be a nonstarter if you cannot help in the infrastructure required to accommodate your existence here, such as new sidewalks in neighborhoods, development of bikeways, and assistance in developing parks and recreation areas so we all can be more connected in our everyday lives.

The Tennessee General Assembly has gutted Metro Nashville's governance model and finances. What is your position on this and how should the city address the relationship with lawmakers?

Considering there is more conflict at every level now, we must work together and build bridges that will benefit all of Nashville and our Great State of Tennessee and stop the partisan bickering. If we have the willingness to engage in meaningful discussions for the benefit of all of our city constituents and the greater Tennessee areas, then we can thoroughly unpack issues together that divide us and move forward to a model that other States would envy.

Are you supportive of Mayor Cooper's plans to renovate the East Bank now that the Titans deal has been approved? Elaborate on your position.

I grew up on Fatherland Street in East Nashville, just a few blocks from where the Titan Stadium was built so I may be a little biased in terms of seeing development reaching the neighborhood of which I am a product. It appears now that this stadium will indeed be built, and I am excited about seeing the development of the East Bank. I will qualify my bias though by stating that it is not about me it is about the good people of Nashville and whatever position I take on any matter will be based on the will of the people.

What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on election day?

I want the greater Nashville community and all of its constituents to know that I will always be in their corner and that I will never make decisions that would adversely affect them, their business, (no matter how small or large), nor their industry, without sitting with them first and knowing the precise impact it will have on them. I also want them to know that although "I am a sinner, and not a goody two shoes" I love everyone unconditionally and my Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, has given me that grace to love. That's what I want everyone to know and embrace about me.

A "fun" question: When visitors ask you, "What should I do in Nashville?" what are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?

Visit some of our beautiful old churches. Take a walk, or bike on our beautiful greenways and parks. Eat till their tummies are full on some of our fine Nashville cuisine, and take in some fine music all over town.

Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)

Yes