Anderson defeats McCarver in county mayor primary, poised to take office

Bill Anderson is positioned to become Cheatham County’s next mayor after defeating incumbent Kerry McCarver in the May 5 Republican primary.

Anderson received about 55% of the vote to McCarver’s 45% in a closely watched race that effectively determined the county’s next mayor, as no Democratic candidate filed for the office. Anderson will still appear on the Aug. 6 general election ballot, though he is currently unopposed.

“It was a tremendous win. It was a team effort,” Anderson said following the election. “I had a really great team of people who were supporting me, and we all worked together to achieve a goal.”

Anderson also called the result “bittersweet,” citing his ties to Pleasant View, where he currently serves as mayor.

“I love Pleasant View,” he said. “I’m hoping to be able to take those relationships and move them forward into Cheatham County and have great relationships in Cheatham County.”

Countywide turnout remained low, with 3,687 ballots cast — roughly 12% of the county’s registered voters.

While the county mayor race drew the most attention, voters in District 5 (Pegram) and District 6 (Kingston Springs) will return to the polls on Aug. 6 to decide two County Commission seats in each district, along with the District 5 School Board seat.

Anderson said he plans to remain active and visible in communities across the county leading into the general election and hopes to continue building connections countywide.

“We can all become one county,” he said.