Davidson County voters elected Vivian Wilhoite in a surprise victory over incumbent George Rooker on Super Tuesday.
She took 56% of the vote. Wilhoite was new to the office, but not new to Metro voters.
She was a Metro council member who represented the 29th district for two terms. She made her way around town Wednesday to thank her supporters.
Her first stop of the day was Mt. Zion Baptist Church after beating out incumbent George Rooker in the Davidson County property assessor race for the democratic primary.
Mt. Zion is her church home and she said she couldn’t have done it without their help.
Viviane was voted in as the first African American to hold the position as she'll run unopposed in September.
Tuesday’s win was a pretty big upset, but analysts said in Rooker's two terms it was the first time he had serious opposition.
Voter turnout was high and more minorities came out to the polls as well. Wilhoite said voters were ready for a change.
“In this century, its time, but it has to be at the right time. Im excited to be able to represent not only African Americans, but women of Nashville and that’s so very important,” said Wilhoite. “Yes we're breaking the glass ceiling, but we have to break them in the right way at the right time. Now is our time and I’m looking forward to the greatness that is going to come of being the property assessor of Nashville, Davidson county.”
Wilhoite is from Gulfport, Mississippi, and began her 30-year public service career as a real estate appraiser for the Tennessee Public Service Commission, now known as the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
