Mike Cortese

The Nashville Metro Council will vote on three data center bills during its July 21, 2026 meeting, including a moratorium on new permits and zoning regulations. Amendments to the legislation, which received strong public support, may add requirements for notice, distance from schools, and restrictions on power generation. The council will also consider Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s bill using eminent domain to acquire a property near the Nashville Zoo for a data center project.

Mike Cortese is a candidate for Congress in District 4, representing the Democrat Party. He is an adjunct professor at Belmont University, a Metro Councilman in Davidson County, and has a background in the music industry. His campaign emphasizes expanding district office access and addressing systemic issues in Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee lawmakers redrew congressional maps in May, altering primary districts and candidates for the August 6 election. The 4th District now includes part of Davidson County, affecting candidates like Scott DesJarlais, who faces three Republican challengers and Democratic contender Mike Cortese. The 5th District also saw candidate shifts due to redistricting.

Vonda McDaniel, president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, died on June 30, 2026, at age 60. She was a prominent labor leader involved in multiple organizations advocating for workers' rights and economic empowerment in Tennessee.

Metro Nashville is considering a bill requiring companies in Davidson County to disclose when they use dynamic and personalized algorithmic pricing. The proposal, introduced by Council Member Mike Cortese, aims to increase transparency for consumers by revealing how pricing algorithms determine different charges for the same product. A similar state-level bill to ban such practices stalled earlier this year.