Mayor Freddie O’Connell - Democratic Mayors

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell gave his first State of the City Address, detailing a path toward a more connected, affordable city with a local government that feels like a partner to residents.

Mayor O’Connell discussed Nashville’s transportation improvement program, Choose How You Move, which aims to improve sidewalks, signals, service, and safety. The referendum would add 86 miles of sidewalk improvements, 54 miles of upgraded corridors to provide more reliable transit options, and a transit system that runs 24/7, 365 days a year. The program will also add 12 modern community transit centers, 17 new park-and-ride facilities, and 35 miles of upgraded and new bicycle facilities.

The Mayor highlighted education initiatives, including expanding university MNPS partnerships to create full-ride scholarship opportunities at local colleges and universities. The city is also proposing to invest $18 million in textbooks while ensuring it continues to expand Community Achieves, nurses in every school, high-impact tutoring, summer learning camps, Saturday instruction, and mentorship programs.

Mayor O’Connell announced that the co-responder Partners in Care program is now operating countywide and has responded to more than 27,000 service calls since the launch. The city has also revised its overall approach to public safety, adding community-based safety programs and refining traditional policing programs. Specifically, the Mayor shared that homicides are down 25.6%, violent crime by 5.4%, and gun thefts from vehicles by 35% year-over-year.

Watch the Mayor’s full address here.

More State of the City Addresses

Akron, Ohio

Mayor Shammas Malik

During his third State of the City Address, Mayor Shammas Malik outlined a sweeping vision for Akron’s future centered on collaboration, innovation, and community investment. The speech highlighted major new initiatives across housing, public safety, youth opportunity, sustainability, and economic development, all tied together through the city’s “Together for Akron” framework.

Evansville, Indiana

Mayor Stephanie Terry

In her third State of the City Address, Mayor Stephanie Terry reflected on a year defined by steady progress and continued work to build a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection help all residents thrive. Speaking under the theme “Building What Matters,” she emphasized that the city’s progress is driven by people—city employees, partners, and residents—who continue to show up and invest in Evansville’s future.

Scranton, Pennsylvania

Mayor Paige Cognetti

Scranton Mayor Paige G. Cognetti delivered her State of the City Address, outlining a six-year turnaround that has taken the city from the brink of financial distress to a position of stability and growth, while continuing investments in public safety, infrastructure, quality of life, and lower costs for residents. Mayor Cognetti also highlighted Scranton’s financial progress, including three credit rating upgrades since exiting financially distressed status in 2022 and achieving its current A- rating with a stable outlook.