Andy Marshall Wins Williamson County Republican Primary for County Mayor

Williamson County election results are in, with Andy Marshall becoming the Republican nominee for mayor. 

The Republican primary was between hospitality giant Marshall and County Commissioner Mary Smith. Marshall won with 12,864 votes to Smith's 10,787.

"I feel good. I'm doing really good," Marshall tells the Williamson Scene. "It's a big job, and I feel good that we got this many people to vote. The job has never concerned me or scared me. I know it's a big job. I'm not naive to that."

The county mayoral seat is up for a new face for the first time in 24 years, with Mayor Rogers Anderson retiring. 

"First of all, it's not about me tonight," Anderson tells the Williamson Scene. "But I am very honored that the citizens have allowed me to do this for the last 24 years have put me in office. For this next journey, those men and women will have to continue to step up and keep this county solid."

Anderson endorsed Marshall early in the race, bringing with him the endorsement of every municipal mayor, as well as the support of Gov. Bill Lee and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin). 

"Andy's going to be his own man," Johnson tells the Williamson Scene. "He'll come in with his own ideas. He is a great friend. He's obviously a very successful businessman. I think he's got the right skill set and right value system to represent Williamson County."

With Smith's loss Tuesday night, this will take her out of county government starting in August. 

“I commend Mr. Marshall,” She said. “He's got a big task in front of him. I hope he understands the task that he has.”

Smith told the Williamson Scene that Marshall’s endorsements and funding were big challenges in the race, but said that she’s proud of the race she and her team ran. 

She spoke about her pride at serving on the county commission and encouraged current and future commissioners to become more engaged with citizens and for citizens to become more engaged in their government, especially as the county enters a new era of leadership.

“I think that they [incoming commissioners] really need to do their homework," Smith says. "They need to spend more time in their community. They need to hear what the challenges are, and they need to know who they represent, and they need to go into those county meetings more informed. And they need to press for the data. They need to press for the information, and we got to be more transparent."

Marshall will face Independent candidate Bhavani Kumar “BK” Muvvala.