Freeman considers run for House seat
Bob Freeman, a real estate professional and son of prominent Tennessee Democratic donor Bill Freeman, is considering running as a Democrat in 2018 for Republican Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell’s seat in Nashville.
Freeman, 42, said he’s been approached by family, friends and neighbors about running for House District 56, a historically conservative seat that includes Green Hills and the affluent satellite cities Belle Meade, Oak Hill and Forest Hills.
Harwell announced a 2018 run for governor of Tennessee, meaning she would have to vacate the House seat she was first elected to in 1988.
In a statement, Bob Freeman said he plans to have “real conversations with Independents, Republicans and Democrats” in the coming weeks before making a final decision.
He cited education, traffic congestion in urban roadways, addressing aging infrastructure and combating the national opioid epidemic as top challenges facing the state.
“These are not partisan issues meant to divide us,” Bob Freeman said. “These are real challenges that will take our collective will to resolve.
“While this [House] district has been served with distinction for nearly three decades, I look forward to learning what the community seeks in its next leader.”
Bob Freeman is vice president of real estate investment and development with Forestar Group Inc. In 2013 he co-founded Freeman Applegate Partners, an energy consulting and sustainable construction firm.
Bob Freeman is the oldest of three children of Nashville real estate executive Bill Freeman, CEO and co-founder of Freeman Webb Co.
Bill Freeman ran unsuccessfully for Nashville mayor in 2015 but remains an influential player and top fundraiser in Tennessee Democratic politics. He toyed with running for governor in 2018, but ultimately passed and is now supporting House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh in the race.
Tennessee House District 56 has been a reliable Republican seat for decades and is the lone House seat held by a Republican in Davidson County. Despite its political leanings, Democrats hope a potential Harwell exit — combined with midterm backlash in 2018 against Presidential Donald Trump — can put the seat in play.
Harwell defeated Democrat Chris Moth in 2016 by a wide margin of 58 percent to 42 percent. For Democrats, that marked an improvement from the 62-37 percent margin by which Harwell defeated Moth in 2014.