Candidate: Chris Crofton
Metro Council At-Large
Website: Croftonforcouncil.com
Occupation: “Freelance writer, author, musician, comedian”
Previous candidacy/offices held: “None”
Community experience: “Just speaking publicly for years and years as a performer in this town – largely about social issues. Writing an extremely popular column which quite often focused on Nashville politics.”
What will be your top three priorities on the Council?
“Making sure ‘economic growth’ means economic growth for EVERYBODY – not just the people who own property. Listening to constituents, not lobbyists. Returning empathy to the public square.”
Much of the city’s developmental focus, like plans for a new East Bank, have focused on downtown. What’s your vision for downtown?
“Affordable housing. Public transportation. More non-alcohol-related culture.”
Did you or would you have voted to approve the new Titans stadium financing legislation?
“No.”
Does Metro need more police officers beyond the unfilled positions?
“No. We need comprehensive health care, well-funded public education and better wages for workers.”
What do you think of the current framework passed by the council around LPR (license plate readers) usage? Do you think Metro should allow facial recognition technology to be used downtown?
“No. We need comprehensive health care, well-funded public education and better wages for workers.”
Do you think a property tax rate adjustment will be needed in the next 4 years? Why or why not?
“I would imagine. We have to make up the revenue we’ve lost to deals like the Titans stadium somehow.”
Do you view your role in the Council as leading your district on issues or simply reflecting the views of the district’s residents?
“I’m running at-large, and listening to constituents is my priority.”
How do you view the relationship of the city and Council to the General Assembly in the face of adverse legislation from the state?
“We have to fight for our autonomy. This is a community, and it should be able to choose its own leaders.”
The city is experiencing an affordability crisis. What is the council’s role in creating more housing for buyers and renters in Nashville?
“It’s an essential role. We need affordable housing, and I will work to facilitate it. With the loss of affordable housing, so goes our community.”
What improvements do you think WeGo should make during the next four years? Would you back creation of a dedicated funding source?
“I don’t know enough about this to comment authoritatively, but I would imagine that any attempt to seriously improve Nashville’s abysmal public transportation would require dedicated funding.”
Second quarter campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $4,371
Spent: $2,174
Cash on hand: $2,197
Link to full disclosure here
Pre-General campaign finance disclosure
Raised: $1,921
Spent: $0
Cash on hand: $4,118
Link to full disclosure here