Darden Copeland

Darden Copeland was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His career experience includes working as a founder and CEO.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Darden is the Founder and CEO of the Calvert Street Group, a national public affairs firm headquartered in Nashville, TN. Darden leads strategic efforts on behalf of businesses, non-profits, governments, trade associations, and advocacy coalitions in highly regulated and political environments across North America.

Earlier in his career, Darden served as a campaign manager and political strategist on a number of congressional and presidential campaigns, where he gained experience in grassroots organizing, coalition building, and electoral communications. These experiences laid the foundation for his later work bridging public policy, commercial interests, and civic engagement.

Beyond his professional work, Darden and his wife have purchased and renovated several historic properties in Nashville, reflecting his long-standing commitment to architectural heritage, adaptive re-use, and urban revitalization. He sits on the board of Historic Nashville, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)3 with a mission to promote and preserve the historic places that make Nashville unique. He also sits on the board of the Nashville Wine Auction, which raises money for local cancer charities.

Darden loves spending time with his wife, Natalie, their two kids, and rescue dog, Kathy. They are active members of Woodmont Christian Church, where Darden serves as an Elder, and both served as Youth Group Leaders for nearly a decade. Darden enjoys live music, stand-up comedy, and coaching his kids sports t

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

If we're going to change the tone in Washington we need to change who we send to Washington. I'm not a career politician. I've never run for political office or been elected to anything other than Elder at my church. We need a consensus builder who will reach across the aisle when it means getting results for the working families and constituents in District 7.I'm running in this special election to fill the vacancy left by Mark Green's abrupt resignation at a time when we need more checks and balances. This country was founded on it, but we currently have ceded too much control to one individual. We need a strong Democrat that isn't afraid to stand up to the party and people in power and force them to come to the table and negotiate. I'm tired of Republicans who won't stand up to Trump, and politicians who don't stand up for anything.At this moment in this district, it's important we nominate a Democrat who has a track record of winning and getting results. We have to send a different kind of Democrat to face off with whichever Trump-First Republican they nominate. I have that record of success. We can't govern if we can't win.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Standing up for the middle class and working families. It's become less about D vs. R, and more about the "haves" and "have nots".

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My Mom and Dad, and all four of my grandparents. Each are exceptional role models in their own way.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy, integrity, intelligence, honesty, transparency.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Work tirelessly for every resident and stakeholder in the district, while also doing what's in the best interest of the nation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I left the world a little better than I found it. And that I raised two brilliant and happy kids.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Sadly, the Challenger explosion.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I delivered newspapers when I was 12 or 13, but my first "big boy" job was working for my father at his commercial uniform and industrial mat rental company. It's what I did after school and all summer. I loved working for my father. I was fired at least three times, but he always hired me back before breakfast the next day because he needed the help (Love you, Dad, I know you're reading this)

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible and the Alchemist.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I like who I am.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Saying "no"

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. When Democrats flipped 41 seats in the midterms of Trumps first term, only 5 were state representatives. We need more voices in Congress who don't come from "politics as usual"

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

We have a number of challenges, but there is nothing we can't fix or improve if we can find a way to restore a sense of civility to how we legislate. We have become too polarized, to the point that nothing is getting solved. A few threats are our national debt, educational disparity, and affordability.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I do. I dislike the money in politics and the nature of always having to campaign, but it keeps representatives in touch with their district in a way that outpaces the options of a 4 or 6 year term.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I'm all for term limits. I subscribe to the Jeffersonian theory that members of Congress should serve for a period of years and return to their districts and continue in their civilian careers. We have 120 members of Congress who are 70 or older. By the 2026 midterms, that number will be 140. Some are very fit to serve and have beneficial institutional knowledge, but others need to pass the torch to a new generation and new ideas. I'm not sure there is a magical number on term limits, perhaps it needs to be gradual, or have a sliding scale for those who ascend into leadership or chairmanship positions, but I'm in favor of term limits, generally.

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Dick Gephardt was a champion of the working and middle class with honest midwest values. I was honored to work for him.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Necessary and desirable.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

The family I've built.