David Fox endorsed by Nashville police union

Nashville mayoral candidate David Fox on Monday picked up the endorsement of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police in a pairing that makes the organization the only Metro employee union to not back his opponent, Megan Barry.

The fraternal order of police, which represents Nashville's 1,600 active and retired police officers, had supported mayoral candidate Bill Freeman in the general election. In endorsing Fox in the runoff, the group's president called the former Metro school board member "the common-sense candidate."

"We are proud to endorse and support David Fox for mayor of Nashville," said Danny Hale, president of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police. "David is clearly the common-sense candidate who is most focused on real needs of Nashville's neighborhoods. And the issues he cares most about are also important to all of our men and women in blue."

Their endorsement of Fox marks a break from other unions that represent Metro workers. In the runoff, Barry has been endorsed by the Service Employees Union Local 205, which represents Metro employees; the Metro Nashville Education Association, the local teachers' union; and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 140, which represents Nashville firefighters. All three groups had backed Freeman in the general election.

According to the Fox campaign, fraternal order of police members voted to endorse Fox by a 2-to-1 margin.

"The endorsement of the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police is a tremendous vote of confidence and encouragement," Fox said in a prepared statement. "And I am especially gratified because it is one of the first endorsements in the run-off where the vote came directly from the membership.

"To have earned the vote and confidence of these officers in a bellwether vote from all across our city and county is a real honor. And I welcome and appreciate their vote of confidence and support."

Fox added that while crime statistics have improved in Nashville, many Nashvillians "don't feel safe in their neighborhoods every day." He said that working with police and addressing crime must be "job one" for anyone who serves as mayor."

The firefighters union, which represents Nashville's 1,500 firefighters, endorsed Barry last week. In a media release on Monday, Barry called Nashville's firefighters some of the bravest men and women she knows and said she was honored and humbled by their support.

“Our campaign is about all of Nashville. I’m proud to have earned the support of Nashville’s firefighters, and I’ll keep fighting to earn every vote I can until election day," Barry said.

Mark Young, president of IAFF Local 140, called Barry the "right choice for public safety."

“These men and women are answering nearly 600 emergency calls every day throughout Davidson County," Young said. "We know Megan has a great passion for public safety and making sure we have the resources that are needed to keep my members and the citizens of Nashville safe.”

Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and on Twitter @joeygarrison.