Endorsements Shed Light on Contentious Brentwood Election Cycle

Former longtime Brentwood City Manager Mike Walker endorsed incumbent Commissioner Rhea Little and political newcomers Kim Smithson Gawrys and Janet Donahue in a letter to the editor titled “A Call for Fiscal Responsibility and Citizen Engagement” ahead of the already divisive May 6 election.

Walker, who served as Brentwood City Manager from 1990-2013, has led a largely private life since his retirement, including not attending city meetings, but that changed this month when he sent an op-ed to the Williamson Scene where he broke his political silence.

The Williamson Scene does not typically publish letters to the editor, but reached out to Walker to learn more about the reasoning behind the endorsements and what he thinks is at stake in the upcoming election.

“There's just been a lot of things that have happened here in the last couple years, and they've given me concerns about where the majority of the direction of the city commission is today,” Walker told the Williamson Scene in a phone call.

Specifically, Walker voiced concern with the commission choosing not to enter into a partnership with the county to build a racquet facility for community members at a reduced cost, and the body declining to add a discussion about a referendum on the agenda.

A referendum would have allowed voters to directly decide on the issue during the municipal election. But, the commission could not come to a consensus in an informational meeting to place discussion about a referendum on a future regular meeting agenda. The majority who stonewalled the discussion consisted of Mayor Mark Gorman and commissioners Allison Spears, Susannah Macmillan and Ken Travis.

Walker said that decision “raises questions not just about fiscal priorities, but also about their lack of trust in your judgment in making important decisions.”

He also voiced concerns about the city potentially funding a project that has been projected to cost $10-$18 million in an increasingly tumultuous economy.

“Right now the economy is really shaky. There's a lot of economic uncertainty in America today, and to be building a facility like that, to me, it's just not wise at the moment,” Walker said. “I think it's better to keep our money until we know how things are going to shake out economically in the country, or if you're going to spend it, spending on things that benefit everybody, not just a special interest group.”

That “special interest group” is a reference to ongoing debate about the potential of a public-private partnership, and the possibility that a future facility could generate revenue or host tournaments instead of serving as a community-focused facility as originally proposed.

“The candidates I endorsed, I know them, I've known them for 30 years. I've lived here 35 years, and they're all honorable people. Integrity without any question. They are concerned about taxpayers spending the money that we have, how we spend it,” Walker said. “They're committed to the values of Brentwood, which is what you see today. You know, low density residential development, green space parks, etc. I guess the main thing was they weren't beholding the special interests that seem to be pushing this private commercial entity, tennis center in the city's premier park. So I decided to speak up.”

Little, Donahue and Gawrys have also earned endorsements from fellow Commissioners Anne Dunn and Nelson Andrews. Additionally, Little touts the support of former Brentwood Commissioner Betsy Crossley and retired Brentwood Police Captain Tommy Campsey.

The exclusive Governors Club community's Property Owners Association has also openly endorsed Little, Gawrys and Donahue in a letter to its residents. As previously reported, the POA is behind an April 25 ethics complaint against incumbent Mayor Mark Gorman.

"We support candidates in favor of giving citizens a choice by referendum on any large expenditure and particularly a proposed tennis/pickleball facility costing $18-$20 million at Crockett Park," the letter reads in part, adding that residents have "an excellent opportunity to impact the election."

While neither Vice Mayor Ken Travis nor Commissioner Susannah Macmillan have explicitly voiced public endorsements in the race, Travis has shared several social media posts from Spears’ reelection campaign account, while Macmillan has shared campaign posts from both Spears and Gorman.

“I don't endorse candidates, nor do I take endorsements from people,” Spears, who was elected to the board in 2023, said. “Certainly, I support people, so people support me, but I don't endorse or take endorsements as a rule.”

Her campaign finance records show a donation from Larry Cash, former CFO of Community Health Systems who also donated to Mark Gorman’s campaign. The two also seemingly share support from people connected to the Remnant Fellowship as signs supporting both candidates appear outside what is known as Ashlawn, the former home of Remnant founder Gwen Shamblin Lara and now the apparent home of her daughter Elizabeth Kaufmann. A meet and greet was held for both candidates by Brentwood attorney Russell Morgan, who was previously Gwen Shamblin Lara’s lawyer and a leader at Remnant, though his current status with the church is unclear.

When we asked incumbent Mayor Mark Gorman about his endorsements, he simply pointed to the city’s success.

“Brentwood is a AAA city and one of the top places to live in the United States. That is a pretty good endorsement for the incumbent city commissioners as we have a proven record of service. If re-elected I plan to keep Brentwood a top ranked city,” Gorman, who was elected to the board in 2013, said.

His campaign finance reports show donations from supporters such as state Rep. Jake McCalmon and Deborah Jacobs, widow of the late heath care industry leader Joey Jacobs. Another notable donation to Gorman’s campaign is from Caroline Jenkins – the wife of Brandon Jenkins who owns Grove Park Construction which is the developer of subdivisions such as Anna, Callie and Harlan in Brentwood.