Shortly after Tennessee U.S. Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN-05) announced that he was not seeking re-election, his brother, Nashville Mayor John Cooper gave his reaction.
In a tweet, Mayor Cooper said, “This is a loss, both for Nashville and Washington. Jim is a leader with deep expertise and a great heart.”
Rep. Jim Cooper is the elder of the two brothers. Their father, William Prentice Cooper Jr., served as the 39th governor of Tennessee from 1939 to 1945. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to Peru under President Harry S. Truman.
In a reply to his original tweet, Mayor Cooper also said, “Our view is that Nashville should be kept whole – as it had been, since the days of George Washington. I’m still focused on the issues that affect Nashville’s students, families, business owners, and residents.”
The Tennessee Star previously reported that Rep. Cooper made his decision to retire from Congress because of the redistricting plans which passed the General Assembly:
Despite my strength at the polls, I could not stop the General Assembly from dismembering Nashville. No one tried harder to keep our city whole. I explored every possible way, including lawsuits, to stop the gerrymandering and to win one of the three new congressional districts that now divide Nashville. There’s no way, at least for me in this election cycle, but there may be a path for other worthy candidates.
I am announcing my decision promptly so that others have more time to campaign. I will return the individual contributions that I have received for this race so that donors can redirect them as they choose.
Redistricting, along with the veteran’s congress member’s retirement, has made the 5th Congressional District seat a targeted race for a Republican pickup. Republicans only need a handful of seats to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives and a new 5th District could be one of them.
Odessa Kelly is currently the only publicly announced candidate in the Democrat primary for the 5th, but with the incumbent bowing out, the Democratic field may soon have more entrants. Kelly had been challenging Congressman Cooper for the Democrat nomination.
On the Republican side, Robby Starbuck, Natisha Brooks, and Quincy McKnight have publicly announced. Former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Beth Harwell is considering a run as well. Mayor Andy Ogles of Maury County is also rumored to be considering a run. More candidates may come forward.
Former spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Morgan Ortagus’ consideration for a run – with President Trump’s encouragement – has met with some backlash.
The new congressional maps await Governor Bill Lee’s signature before they take effect.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Jim Cooper” by U.S. House. Photo “John Cooper” by John Cooper. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Martin Falbisoner. CC BY-SA 3.0.
