Pitts Election History: From State Legislature to Mayor of Clarksville
The political trajectory of Pitts is marked by a consistent presence in Tennessee governance, transitioning from a successful tenure in the state legislature to leading the city of Clarksville. His electoral history demonstrates a strong base of support within the Democratic party and a capacity to win competitive local races.
Key Facts
- First entered the legislature in 2006 for District 67.
- Maintained a streak of Democratic Primary victories from 2006 to 2012.
- Elected Mayor of Clarksville, TN, in 2018.
- Successfully won re-election as mayor in 2022.
Legislative Career in District 67
Pitts first sought office in 2006 when the seat for District 67 became open following the departure of Democratic Representative Kim McMillan. He secured the Democratic Primary on August 3, 2006, with 2,052 votes. In the General Election held on November 7, 2006, he defeated Republican nominee Ken Takasaki with 6,703 votes, representing 54.0% of the total.
Following his initial victory, Pitts maintained a strong hold on the district. In 2008, he ran unopposed in both the August 7 Democratic Primary (1,837 votes) and the November 4 General Election, where he secured 12,525 votes.
The 2010 cycle saw Pitts again run unopposed in the August 5 Democratic Primary with 1,746 votes. In the November 2 General Election, he faced Republican nominee Neil Revlett, winning with 5,387 votes (53.1%).
His final recorded legislative campaign in 2012 saw him run unopposed in the August 2 Democratic Primary with 781 votes. He won the November 6 General Election decisively with 12,700 votes (97.0%), facing only write-in candidate Mike Warner.
Transition to Municipal Leadership
In 2018, Pitts shifted his focus to local executive leadership by running for Mayor of Clarksville, TN. The race was highly competitive, pitting him against the incumbent, Kim McMillan. On November 6, 2018, Pitts won the election with 33.8% of the vote, narrowly defeating McMillan, who received 33.2%.
Pitts solidified his mandate in 2022, winning re-election as mayor with 54.5% of the vote.
| Year | Office | Election Type | Result/Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | District 67 Representative | General | Won (54.0%) |
| 2008 | District 67 Representative | General | Won (Unopposed) |
| 2010 | District 67 Representative | General | Won (53.1%) |
| 2012 | District 67 Representative | General | Won (97.0%) |
| 2018 | Mayor of Clarksville | General | Won (33.8%) |
| 2022 | Mayor of Clarksville | General | Won (54.5%) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Pitts defeat to become Mayor of Clarksville?
Pitts defeated the incumbent mayor, Kim McMillan, in the November 6, 2018, election.
How did Pitts first enter the state legislature?
He ran for the District 67 seat in 2006 after Kim McMillan left the legislature, winning the general election against Republican Ken Takasaki.
What was Pitts' highest percentage of victory in a general election?
His highest percentage was in the 2012 General Election for District 67, where he won with 97.0% of the vote.
Was Pitts ever opposed in the Democratic Primaries?
Based on the records from 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012, Pitts was unopposed in every Democratic Primary he contested.
What was the margin of victory in the 2018 mayoral race?
The race was very close, with Pitts winning 33.8% of the vote compared to Kim McMillan's 33.2%.