Darden Copeland

Darden Copeland worked summers and after school in his father's industrial uniform business, where, he says, he was fired three times and hired back by the next morning.¹ His mother worked overnight factory shifts so the family could have health insurance.¹ His sister joined the Air Force to pay for college, and his brother joined a labor union.¹ He lives in Nashville with his wife, Natalie, their two children and rescue dog Kathy.¹

A Virginia native, Copeland attended the University of Richmond, working multiple jobs and using student loans to get through college.²¹ His early political work included campaigns for Al Gore, John Kerry and Tim Kaine.²

He founded Calvert Street Group, a Nashville public affairs firm whose work includes referendums and land use campaigns.² He previously sought this seat in the 2025 special election primary, finishing second in the four candidate Democratic field.³ His campaign describes client projects involving solar farms, affordable housing, rural hospitals and transit funding.¹

Copeland emphasizes the cost of living and access to health care, saying working families face rising expenses and care they cannot afford.² His campaign opposes cuts to safety net programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, student loans, health insurance assistance and food aid.¹ Copeland faces Republican Matt Van Epps and two independents.⁴