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Thom Druffel
Thom Druffel is a member of the Nashville Metro Council in Tennessee, representing District 23. He assumed office on September 28, 2019. His current term ends in 2027.
Druffel ran for re-election to the Nashville Metro Council to represent District 23 in Tennessee. He won in the general election on August 3, 2023.
Druffel was a candidate for District 9 representative on the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education in Tennessee. The general election was held on August 4, 2016.[1] Druffel lost the election.[2]
A candidate forum held in June 2016 highlighted the charter school debate in the district. Incumbents Will Pinkston, Amy Frogge, and Jill Speering refused to attend the event due to concerns that the organization hosting the forum promoted "unabated charter school growth." Only the candidates seeking the District 5 seat were able to face off at the event.[3]
Winners of the district's 2016 board of education election inherited a lawsuit against the state over education funding. In June 2016, the school board voted to approve the lawsuit, saying the state had not provided enough funding for the district's English language learners for the 2016-2017 school year.
Biography
Druffel is the general manager for Holiday Inn. He has worked in this position since June 2002. Druffel is involved with the Fannie Battle Day Home, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Big Brothers of Middle Tennessee, the Ladies of Charity, Children International, the Catholic Business League, and the Kiwanis Club of Nashville. He also serves as a lector and usher at St. Ann Church and is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Druffel earned a bachelor's degree in hotel management from Florida State University and an M.B.A. from California State Long Beach. He and his wife have three children.[4][5]
Elections
2023
See also: City elections in Nashville, Tennessee (2023)
General election
General election for Nashville Metro Council District 23
Incumbent Thom Druffel defeated Lisa Williams in the general election for Nashville Metro Council District 23 on August 3, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Thom Druffel (Nonpartisan) | 77.0 | 3,546 |
 | Lisa Williams (Nonpartisan)  | 22.8 | 1,050 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 4,608 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Druffel received the following endorsements.
2019
See also: City elections in Nashville, Tennessee (2019)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Nashville Metro Council District 23
Thom Druffel defeated incumbent Mina Johnson in the general runoff election for Nashville Metro Council District 23 on September 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Thom Druffel (Nonpartisan) | 53.1 | 2,389 |
 | Mina Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 46.8 | 2,106 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 4,497 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for Nashville Metro Council District 23
Incumbent Mina Johnson and Thom Druffel advanced to a runoff. They defeated Rob McKinney in the general election for Nashville Metro Council District 23 on August 1, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mina Johnson (Nonpartisan) | 46.8 | 2,117 |
| ✔ | | Thom Druffel (Nonpartisan) | 43.9 | 1,985 |
| Rob McKinney (Nonpartisan) | 9.1 | 412 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 8 | ||
| Total votes: 4,522 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Five of the nine seats on the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools Board of Education were up for by-district general election on August 4, 2016.[6] District 1 incumbent Sharon Dixon Gentry defeated challenger Janette Carter to win another term. In District 3, incumbent Jill Speering also won another term by defeating challenger Jane Grimes Meneely. Norman Merrifield originally filed to run for the District 3 seat, but he withdrew from the election. Christiane Buggs, Miranda Christy, Corey Gathings, and Erica Lanier ran for the District 5 seat, which was left open when board member Elissa Kim did not file to run for re-election. Buggs was elected to the seat. The District 7 race featured incumbent Will Pinkston and challenger Jackson Miller. Pinkston was re-elected to another term. District 9 incumbent Amy Frogge faced challenger Thom Druffel. She was also elected to another term.[1][7][2]
Results
| Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, District 9 General Election, 4-Year Term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Amy Frogge Incumbent |
63.94% | 4,682 |
| Thom Druffel | 35.92% | 2,630 |
| Write-in votes | 0.14% | 10 |
| Total Votes | 7,322 | |
| Source: Metro Government of Nashville & Davidson County Election Commission, "August 4 Election Results," accessed January 12, 2017 | ||
Funding
Druffel reported $68,886.00 in contributions and $68,799.94 in expenditures to the Davidson County Election Commission, which left his campaign with $86.06 on hand as of September 30, 2016.[8]
Endorsements
Druffel was endorsed by The Tennessean, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce SuccessPAC, and the national education nonprofit organization Stand For Children.[9][10][11]
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Thom Druffel did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Thom Druffel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Druffel's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
First of all, I want to protect the character of our community. I believe that our Metro Council ought to be more responsible in balancing growth with community development. To accomplish this, we would take a look at policies and best practices utilized in other cities that have been successful in striking that better balance. Second, I would also adopt a more proactive approach when dealing with issues of infrastructure and transportation. Our roads and infrastructure are already insufficient, and these problems will only become magnified as more people move to our city. In order to tackle these issues, we must think creatively and collaboratively, considering input from all of our communities and neighborhoods. Third, I would place a more serious emphasis on financial accountability and transparency. As our city accumulates more and more debt, some areas of the city are benefiting more than others. Metro Council should encourage greater transparency so that the people of Nashville know exactly where and why their money is being spent.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am extremely passionate about education. Over the years, I have worked with the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association and MNPS to introduce a variety of programs aimed at helping our students, from a nutrition program based around soup to the nationally recognized Academies of Nashville program. Beyond this, while some may find it dull, I think that finance is an incredibly important part of public policy. As a hotel manager and executive for decades now, I know what it takes to get a balanced budget in place and I am ready to help our city grow responsibly.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I have always admired my brother. He is 12 years older than myself and has always been an example of a man with a passion for his family, hard work and community. He worked his way through school and earned a PhD in Computer Engineering at Vanderbilt while serving in the Air Force. He went on to run the Armed Services software and hardware development for the Pentagon. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as Director of the Software Institute at Carnegie Mellon. He was the first in our family to go to college, and the hard work and perseverance he displayed to break that barrier were truly inspirational. He also raised 5 great kids, and at 79 years old is still giving back in the community. He has been the President of his Purple Hearts Homes local chapter and is responsible for over 60 improvements to Vet homes.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, transparency, and a commitment to making the community better to live and work for all citizens.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
My background in business gives me an excellent sense of finance and the importance of strategic planning. I also have a long history with community engagement through organizations like Purple Heart Homes and the Davidson County Special Olympics program. Finally, I believe that my experience in education will be very helpful in fixing one of our city's biggest issues.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe that our Metro Council has an obligation to: ensure that tax dollars come back to our communities; provide support and resources for teachers, police and firefighters, and government employees; maintain our infrastructure and adjust it for growth; and plan the city’s finances effectively in the short and long term.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to be part of the solution in balancing our growth with the quality of life. As people look back, I would hope they could say we made it a better city.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I got a job at 16 as a dishwasher. My first pay check was $19.25 and I thought I was rich! It gave me a great impression of hard work and learning to serve others.
What happened on your most awkward date?
It was the first date I ever went on - I was so nervous that I forgot where my car was parked! At the time, it turned out great because we laughed and talked more trying to find the car.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I would have to pick Thanksgiving. The combination of family, friends, football, and of course food is very special to me.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing in my home is a wall of family pictures. My wife Margie and I have an incredible family on both sides. I am extremely grateful for my wife and kids, as well as my 40 nephews and nieces. My family is what's most important in my life, and always reminds me how lucky I have been.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The entire album of The Greatest Show. We cannot stop listening. The music and lyrics are fun and strong at the same time.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
After making the varsity wrestling team at age 15, I broke my hip in an accident. It took two years of surgery and I ended up losing two inches in my left leg. I was not able to play all the sports that I was passionate about at the time. I have always fought harder when at a disadvantage and went on to redirect my love of sports to tennis. I ended up playing in college and now I coach and teach pros.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
This position is critical in being able to protect neighborhoods. There needs to be a history of trust as we all put our most important asset on the line with the Metro Council position.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think is better to come in the job fresh and open minded but with skills in leadership and problem solving.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Druffel highlighted the following issues on his campaign website:
| “ | Nashville students deserve better.
Pointing fingers won’t help our students. Clear, decisive leadership will. Thom Druffel is a calm voice of reason, a willing listener, an objective thinker and a respected professional engaged in working with all kinds of people. True to his longstanding commitment to make our community better, he wants to invest himself in the critical work of preparing our students to meet the future with confidence. That’s why he is visiting schools, listening to teachers and principals, seeking input from parents and considering the strategic steps necessary to revitalize education in Davidson County. Please vote for Thom Druffel, Metro School Board, District 9 to begin a new commitment to quality education.[12] |
” |
| —Thom Druffel (2016)[13] | ||
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Tennesseean, "Who's running for the Nashville school board?" April 7, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Metro Government of Nashville & Davidson County Election Commission, "August 4 Election Results (Unofficial)," accessed August 4, 2016
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedriseforum - ↑ LinkedIn, "thom druffel," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ Thom Druffel 4 Better Schools, "About Thom," accessed May 20, 2016
- ↑ Tennessee Secretary of State, "Election Calendar 2016," accessed March 30, 2016
- ↑ Davidson County Election Commission, "County General Sample Ballot: August 4, 2016," accessed July 12, 2016
- ↑ Davidson County Election Commission, "Financial Disclosures," accessed November 29, 2016
- ↑ The Tennesseean, "Endorsements: Nashville school board election," July 11, 2016
- ↑ Nashville Scene, "Who Are the Players in Nashville's School Board Race?" June 17, 2016
- ↑ Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, "SuccessPAC endorses candidates for the Metropolitan Board of Public Education," July 1, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Thom Druffel 4 Better Schools, "Initiatives," accessed May 20, 2016
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Nashville Metro Council District 23 2019-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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