The 2007 Nashville mayoral election took place on September 11, 2007, following a primary election on August 2, 2007. Incumbent Mayor Bill Purcell was term-limited and could not seek a third term. A crowded field emerged to succeed him, which included Law Department Director Karl Dean, former Congressman Bob Clement, Vice Mayor Howard Gentry Jr., and Metro Councilmen Buck Dozier and David Briley. In the primary election, Dean narrowly placed first, winning 24 percent of the vote. In second place, Clement won 23.5 percent and narrowly beat out Gentry, who won 23.1 percent.
In the runoff, Dean narrowly defeated Clement, winning 52 percent of the vote to Clement's 48 percent.