Vivian Wilhoite

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Vivian Wilhoite

Democratic Party

Davidson County Assessor

Tenure

2016 - Present

Term ends

2028

Years in position

8

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

August 1, 2024

Education

High school

Gulfport High School

Bachelor's

Tennessee State University, 1987

Personal

Birthplace

Gulfport, Miss.

Religion

Baptist

Profession

Politician

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

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Vivian Wilhoite (Democratic Party) is the Davidson County Assessor in Tennessee. She assumed office on September 1, 2016. Her current term ends in 2028.

Wilhoite (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Davidson County Assessor in Tennessee. She won in the general election on August 1, 2024.

Wilhoite completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Vivian Wilhoite was born in Gulfport, Mississippi. She graduated from Gulfport High School. Wilhoite received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Tennessee State University. Her career experience included working as chief of the consumer services division at the Tennessee Regulatory Authority and Tennessee Public Service Commission and as a certified public accountant.

Wilhoite has been affiliated with the following organizations:

• Christian Women United
• Davidson County Democratic Women
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
• Donelson-Hermitage Chamber
• Historic Nashville, Inc.
• International Association of Assessing Officers
• Kiwanis
• Lawyers' Association for Women
• Les Gemmes, Inc., Nashville Chapter
• Nashboro Village Homeowners Association
• Nashboro Woods Homeowners Association
• Nashville Women's Breakfast Club
• Nashville Women's Leaders
• Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Neighbor to Neighbor
• Rep. John Lewis Way Committee
• Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers
• Tennessee Inter'l Association of Assessing Officers
• TN ASPA
• Women's Political Collaborative

Elections

2024

See also: City elections in Nashville, Tennessee (2024)

General election

General election for Davidson County Assessor

Incumbent Vivian Wilhoite won election in the general election for Davidson County Assessor on August 1, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vivian Wilhoite (D)	97.9	51,657
		Other/Write-in votes	2.1	1,114

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,771
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Davidson County Assessor

Incumbent Vivian Wilhoite defeated Tomesia Day in the Democratic primary for Davidson County Assessor on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vivian Wilhoite	65.1	23,201
		Tomesia Day	34.8	12,418
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	44

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,663
= 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.

Endorsements

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To view Wilhoite's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wilhoite in this election.

2023

See also: Mayoral election in Nashville, Tennessee (2023)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Mayor of Nashville

Freddie O'Connell defeated Alice Rolli in the general runoff election for Mayor of Nashville on September 14, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Freddie O'Connell (Nonpartisan)	63.8	72,989
		Alice Rolli (Nonpartisan)	36.0	41,205
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	123

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 114,317
= 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 Mayor of Nashville

The following candidates ran in the general election for Mayor of Nashville on August 3, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Freddie O'Connell (Nonpartisan)	27.1	27,503
✔		Alice Rolli (Nonpartisan)	20.2	20,472
		Matthew Wiltshire (Nonpartisan)	17.0	17,193
		Jeff Yarbro (Nonpartisan)	12.2	12,356
		Heidi Campbell (Nonpartisan)	8.2	8,337
		Sharon Hurt (Nonpartisan)	6.0	6,104
		Vivian Wilhoite (Nonpartisan)	4.7	4,758
		Jim Gingrich (Nonpartisan) (Unofficially withdrew)	1.6	1,668
		Natisha Brooks (Nonpartisan)	1.4	1,458
		Stephanie Johnson (Nonpartisan)	0.6	581
		Fran Bush (Nonpartisan)	0.5	503
		Bernie Cox (Nonpartisan)	0.3	322
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	80

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 101,335
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• William Domann (Nonpartisan)
• Michael Rowan (Nonpartisan)
• Wisdom Zerit Teklay (Nonpartisan)

Endorsements

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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wilhoite in this election.

2020

See also: City elections in Nashville, Tennessee (2020)

General election

General election for Davidson County Assessor

Incumbent Vivian Wilhoite won election in the general election for Davidson County Assessor on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vivian Wilhoite (D)	97.8	91,179
		Other/Write-in votes	2.2	2,018

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 93,197
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Davidson County Assessor

Incumbent Vivian Wilhoite advanced from the Democratic primary for Davidson County Assessor on March 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Vivian Wilhoite	99.1	74,479
		Other/Write-in votes	0.9	673

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 75,152
= 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.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Vivian Wilhoite completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wilhoite's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Assessor of Property Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee - Current Position• Elected March 2016 • Seeking Re-Election • Charged with the responsibility to identify, list, classify and value all taxable real, personality & commercial property in Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee. Successfully supervises a 82 member staff and oversees an operating budget of $10 m. • Staff Real Estate Appraiser • State of Tennessee- Tennessee Public Service Commission - May 1987 to June 1995 •Councilmember Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County City Council, Nashville, Tennessee - August 2003 – August 2011 • Successfully elected to serve a two- 4 year terms limited of a 40-member legislative body. • Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, major in Marketing with some course studies in Real Estate • The Tennessee State University • Graduated 1987 • Born in Gulfport, Mississippi

I am married to Larry Wilhoite, a Nashville native. We have two young adult sons, Pherius and Lelan and a dog named Bella.

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?

• I have already started the plan for the next term in office. I have top priorities for property owners and top priorities for my staff. I inherited an aging office, so I began the plan of building a new administration since elected in 2016, promoting an amazing, diverse, professional, and credentialed staff who are committed to our mission, and to continue to give energetically, informative leadership to property owners and the residents of Davidson County, Tennessee
• While the pandemic slowed the process, we continued to accomplish my top priorities of providing fair and equitable valuation, transparency of the process and educating property owners about the reappraisal process, their right to appeal, and to increase the knowledge of property owners' awareness of exemptions decided by the State Board of Equalization. Since 2016, we have conducted more than 250 outreach presentations to property owners with some presentations given to high school students.
• I will continue to build on the achievements and successes of these priorities mentioned while working with the mayor, metro council and our governing body of the Tennessee General Assembly and the Department of Property Assessments of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about 1) ensuring that we provide fair and equitable valuation of residential, personal and commercial properties; 2) that property owners are aware of the policies that govern the appraisal/reappraisal process; and 3) that property owners are aware of the policy procedure of their right to appeal.

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

I have lots of mentors. I lean not to my own understanding. I follow the examples of my mother and grandmother. My mother was always trying to help family and friends. Our home was always filled with food and fun.

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

The characteristics and principles that are most important for an elected official are leadership, being fair, show accountability, be empathic, have respect for others and have respect of self, follow the law and constitution, being willing to listen, be proactive, be selfless, be of good service to the people, be transparent and be truthful. These are just some of the characteristics and principles that are important to me as a public servant.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

The qualities that I possess that I believe make me a successful officer holder are that I am sincere. I love my staff and the people I serve. I'm hardworking. I am very energetic. I strive to be fair. I am a forward thinker, and lean not to my understanding

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

The core responsibilities for someone elected to this office is to providing fair and equitable valuation, transparency of the process and educating property owners about the reappraisal process, their right to appeal, and to increase the knowledge of property owners' awareness of exemptions decided by the State Board of Equalization.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy that I want to leave is the adage that I live by to "Do all the good that you can, in every way you can, for all of the people you can, in every way you can, while you can."

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

Watergate. I was eight years old. I did not know it was historical until I was in junior high school. My older brother and sister talked a lot about it.

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

This might tickle you but my very first job was at the age of 6 answering the phone at Lockett Mortuary in Gulfport, Mississippi. I was hired to answer the phone and take messages while the owner and mortician, Mr. Lockett, would go pick-up the deceased from the hospital. Mr. Lockett witnessed my mature ability to answer the phone and write notes. Lockett's Mortuary was very close to me. Only one house was between us.
Mr. Lockett paid pretty well for me as a six year old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
This is a current favorite because it tells of the journey of how someone faces death after helping others beat the odds.

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

Wonder Woman! The original. The OG! I would never have to worry about being on a diet. I always would look good as I save people. Also, I would be even more efficient because I could do three things at once.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

A Lovely Day.

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

Being nervous when getting ready to speak in front of a large audience.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I love jokes, here's a favorite.
What is Nashville's new city bird? The crane.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Women In Numbers
Nashville Firefighters & Fire Service Employees
Association IAAF Local 140
Fraternal Order of Police
Representative Rev Harold Moses Love, Jr.
Rosetta Miller Perry, CEO & Publisher of The TN Tribune
Sherriff Daron Hall, Davidson County
District Attorney Glenn Funk
Metro Council At Large Member Zulfat Suara
Metro Council At Large Member Burkley Allen
Metro Council At Large Member Quin Evans-Segal
Former Deputy Mayor Brenda M. Haywood
The Honorable Jo Ann North, Former Assessor of Property and Metro Council At Large Member
Former Councilmember Edith Langster
Former Councilmember Nick Leonardo
Community Advocate Phyllis Qualls
Reverend Enoch Fuzz
Reverend Harold E. Jones, Jr.
Community Table of Friends

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I believe that showing financial transparency and government accountability maintains and increases trust in the process and in the elected official.

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.

2023

Vivian Wilhoite did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Wilhoite's campaign website stated the following:

“

Homelessness Solving homelessness in Nashville will require a multi-faceted approach that involves addressing the root causes of homelessness, providing supportive services, and creating affordable housing options. There are not a one size fits all solution. And the government cannot work alone in solving homelessness. We must work with the private sector, developers, nonprofits, and faith and community leaders. Here are some steps I will take: ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS Many people become homeless due to factors such as poverty, mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, and job loss. Addressing these underlying issues can help prevent homelessness. Programs that provide job training, mental health services, and addiction treatment can be helpful. INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING The lack of affordable housing is a significant contributor to homelessness. Increasing the availability of affordable housing through initiatives like low-income housing tax credits, inclusionary zoning, and other incentives for developers can help create more affordable housing options for people experiencing homelessness. PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES Many people experiencing homelessness need access to supportive services, such as medical care, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment. Providing these services can help individuals get back on their feet and reduce the likelihood of future homelessness. COORDINATE RESOURCES Collaboration between local government, nonprofits, and faith-based organizations can help ensure that resources are being used efficiently and effectively. Coordinated entry systems can help streamline the process of connecting people experiencing homelessness with the services they need. INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS Raising awareness about homelessness and its causes can help reduce the stigma associated with it and promote empathy and understanding. Educating the public about homelessness and advocating for policies and programs that address its root causes can help create a more supportive community for people experiencing homelessness. Solving homelessness is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach. By addressing the root causes of homelessness, increasing the availability of affordable housing, providing supportive services, coordinating resources, and increasing public awareness, Nashville can take steps to reduce and eventually eliminate homelessness. Transit The future of mass transit in Nashville will involve working with our neighboring counties and other cities in Middle Tennessee and the federal government. We must have all stakeholders at the table to accomplish a regional approach to transit and I plan to do this as Nashville’s next Mayor. When addressing the future of mass transit, Nashville must also work toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. To achieve this goal, mass transit must involve using the latest technologies, such as electric buses, and have a focus on sustainability. Working with State Government I believe that our Metro Council should not have kept the Republican National Committee from coming to Nashville. The First Amendment, and Freedom of Assembly, does not get to choose sides, especially partisan sides. It is unfortunate that our city is being punished for the Metro Council’s decision. However, we all must move forward to find common ground where we can agree. I would meet frequently with members of the Metro Council and our state government leaders to keep the communication lines open. As Mayor, I will make the effort to work with all our leaders in government, businesses, and faith organizations. It is critical that my administration focus on the common goal of servant leadership, for all people, and avoid the partisan fighting where possible. Public Safety As Mayor I would work with Chief John Drake to ensure that the police department has the resources that it needs to keep our city safe. I would also work with Juvenile Judge Sheila Calloway and District Attorney Glenn Funk to continue investing in restorative justice programs in our city. We also must empower and support the nonprofit organizations in Nashville, like Group Violence Intervention that target the population at high risk for violence. that are working to prevent violence in our city. I would also conduct outreach and personal interaction wrap around groups with students in the Metro Public Schools to empower students about available resources they can use when they need help and how to deal with conflict. I will engage with existing neighborhood watch groups and encourage the forming of neighborhood watch groups working with Neighbor 2 Neighbor to promote knowing your neighbors and empowering groups with the resources needed for building stronger community awareness. Affordable Housing Addressing the lack of affordable housing in Nashville will require a multi- faceted approach that involves increasing the supply of affordable housing, preserving existing affordable housing, and providing resources and support to low-income residents. I cannot say it enough. The government cannot do this alone. Here are some strategies that can be used to address the lack of affordable housing options in Nashville: ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS Many people become homeless due to factors such as poverty, mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, and job loss. Addressing these underlying issues can help prevent homelessness. Programs that provide job training, mental health services, and addiction treatment can be helpful. INCREASE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING We will allocate more funding for affordable housing development and preservation through sources such as bonds, tax credits, and grants. This can provide developers with the financial resources they need to build or preserve affordable housing units. ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS Addressing homelessness can help free up resources for affordable housing and prevent people from slipping into homelessness due to lack of affordable housing. The city can provide resources such as rental assistance, job training, and mental health services to help people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet and access affordable housing. PROMOTE MIXED-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS Mixed-income neighborhoods can create a more diverse and inclusive community while also providing more affordable housing options. The city can encourage the development of mixed-income housing projects through zoning and tax incentives. COLLABORATE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR, NONPROFIT COMMUNITY, AND FAITH ORGANIZATIONS The government alone cannot address the issues of affordable housing. We must work together with developers and business leaders and our nonprofit organizations and faith leaders to collectively address the affordable housing issues facing our city.

”

2020

Vivian Wilhoite did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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