Introduction
Darden Copeland is a husband, father, brother, business owner and entrepreneur who believes the current political system is broken, and families across middle Tennessee deserve better. A public school kid with working class roots, Darden is no stranger to hard work. His father started an industrial uniform company where Darden worked every summer and each day after school. He was fired three times, but was always hired back before breakfast the next morning. Student loans and multiple jobs got Darden through the University of Richmond, and into a career in political campaigns and business.
“As a kid, when times got tough, we were fortunate to have a safety net. My mom worked 40-plus hours on the overnight shift at the local factory so we could have health benefits. I tripled my student loan debt and held four jobs each semester in college. My sister joined the Air Force so she could go to college, and my brother joined a labor union (UFCW). And my parents spoiled us with unconditional love.”
“Too many politicians are abandoning the middle class, and serving the billionaires, bigots, and bullies. We’re adding trillions to our national debt, while cutting the safety nets so many of us depend on - expanded Medicaid, Medicare, affordable healthcare premiums, student loans, food assistance.”
“I have never forgotten where I come from and it’s why I have built a career working to protect the working and middle class, and I want to take the same experience to Washington.” Darden says.
Darden spent his early career working to elect common-sense Democrats across the country, leaders like Beyer, Gephardt, Kennedy, Gore, Lieberman, Kaine, Warner, Kerry, Edwards, Salazar among others. Stepping away from electoral politics in 2005, Darden began his career in public affairs and entrepreneurship, where he built the nationally recognized public affairs firm, Calvert Street Group.
Darden has achieved results for clients and communities across North America –winning approvals to build solar farms, affordable housing, rural hospitals, memory care and recovery facilities, grocery stores, critical infrastructure projects and dedicated funding for mass transit, among other projects. He knows how to win in both Republican and Democratic districts and that is one of the reasons why he is the best Democratic candidate to win this upcoming election.
Darden lives in Nashville with his wife Natalie, two children, and their rescue dog, Kathy.
Meet Darden
“I’m sick and tired of politicians who are more interested in fighting each other than fighting for their districts.”
Darden Copeland moved to Nashville in 2008 and considers himself a “local” but not a “native.” He met his wife, Natalie, through divine intervention (ask him how), and two kids later, middle Tennessee has become his forever home.
Darden is the Founder and CEO of the Calvert Street Group, a national public affairs firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. Since founding Calvert Street, Darden has led strategic efforts on behalf of businesses, non-profits, governments, trade associations, and advocacy coalitions in highly regulated and political environments across North America. His firm focuses on land use, energy infrastructure, and issue advocacy, with particular expertise in managing complex, high-stakes campaigns at the intersection of business, politics, and public opinion.
Under Darden’s leadership, the team at Calvert Street has executed campaigns in 46 U.S. states and multiple provinces in Canada. The firm is nationally recognized for its work in public affairs strategy, stakeholder engagement, and ballot initiative management. Darden has also led several high-profile preservation campaigns, including the successful grassroots effort to preserve the historic Tennessee State Prison, RCA Studio A, the Exit/In, and other endangered architectural landmarks.
Earlier in his career, Darden served as a campaign manager and political strategist on a number of congressional and presidential campaigns, where he gained deep 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 downtown 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, and has a little fun doing it.
In his spare time, Darden loves to spend time with his wife, Natalie, their two kids, and rescue dog, Kathy. They are active members of Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville, 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 teams.
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives write and vote on federal laws, including the federal budget. Each represents one district and serves a two-year term. Tax bills must start in the House, only the House can impeach federal officials, and members oversee federal agencies through their committees.