NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — It’s a day that none of us will ever forget. Six months ago, a gunman opened fire at an Antioch Waffle House killing four people. James Shaw, Jr. tackled the shooter and ran him off before he could hurt others. Police say he saved lives that day and became known on the national stage as the waffle house hero.
“A superhero is limitless to what he can do. A superhero is just that. He’s super,” said Shaw.
Shaw is known as a hero, but may soon be also known as Mayor Shaw.
“In a couple of years, you all might have to vote for somebody named James Shaw, Jr. on the ballot. Remember this day,” said Shaw to a class of fifth graders at Union STEM Elementary School in Gallatin, Tenn.
Shaw announced this week he plans to put his name in the hat to be Nashville’s next mayor. The election is in August 2019. To qualify, candidates have to be at least 30 years old, have lived in Nashville for at least one year and have a clean criminal background. He doesn’t have a platform yet, but says there’s a lot of work to do in the city.
“I think it’s been quite a while since we’ve had a Nashville mayor that is actually for Nashville, so I want Nashville to get back to Nashville," Shaw said. "I feel like it would be a lot more city love if the mayor is from Nashville and there are a couple of things I want to correct in Nashville."
Toby Compton, longtime campaign strategist and senior advisor to former Mayor Karl Dean says it takes more than name recognition and passion to run a city.
“James is a hero and he did so much for our community, but it's probably a moment where we say, he probably doesn't have the expertise or the knowledge or skill set to run a city with a $2 billion budget,” said Compton.
He says Nashville is a complex city with several critical issues that must be handled with care, such as transportation challenges and housing needs.
It wouldn’t be the first time a victim or loved one of a tragedy has turned their pain into politics.
Folks like Lezley McSpadden, the mother of Mike Brown who died after an officer-involved shooting announced over the summer she’s running for Ferguson, Mo. City Council. Chris Hurst, the boyfriend of a television reporter shot and killed, left the news business and won a seat in the Virginia House of Representatives. Lori Alhadeff and Ryan Petty, the parents of kids killed in the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Fla. ran for school board seats in their city.
“Anytime you can come to the table and people know who you are, and recognize you, that’s a big deal,” said Compton.
Compton says name recognition definitely helps draw votes but it still comes down to experience. Shaw, who is no stranger to facing the impossible says, he’s confident he can bring out the mayoral win in 2019.
“I feel very, very confident that Nashville would come out and vote for me,” said Shaw.