The field of Republican candidates in the special election for Tennessee seventh congressional district continues to grow. Governor Bill Lee has set the dates for the primary and general elections for October 7 and December 2.

Candidates seeking the seat must file all required paperwork to the State Election Office by Tuesday, August 12, at noon. The deadline for candidates to withdraw from the race is Friday, August 15, at noon.

Nashville businessman and Williamson county resident Stuart Cooper becomes the eighth Republican candidate to pursue the seat just vacated by Mark Green. In 2018 Cooper served as Williamson County chairman for Green’s congressional campaign. 

Born and raised in Chattanooga, educated in Knoxville, and a Franklin resident since 2013, Cooper was valedictorian of his high school class, senior class president, and delegate to American Legion Boys State. He earned his Bachelor’s degree and Executive MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He was awarded the 2008 Marketplace Master’s Award at the Haslam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.

Stuart and his wife Jenny have four children, two in college at Middle Tennessee State University, and two attending Williamson County Schools in Franklin.  For the past 30 years, Cooper has served his family, church, community and business leaders in various capacities.

Cooper joins another Williamson Countian seeking the seat, State Rep. Lee Reeves. A third, State Rep Gino Bulso, is expected to enter the race this week.

Three democrat State Representatives from Nashville have entered the race for their party nomination.  State Rep. Aftyn Behn just won a Montgomery County Democrat Party straw poll. 

Steve Gill is publisher of TriStar Daily.