The 2011 Nashville mayoral election took place on August 4, 2011. Incumbent Mayor Karl Dean, who was first elected in 2007, ran for re-election. He was originally challenged by Metro Councilman Michael Craddock,[2] but Craddock dropped out of the race on May 26, 2011, citing fundraising difficulties.[3] Following Craddock's withdrawal, Dean did not face serious opposition.[4] He ended up winning re-election in a landslide, receiving 79 percent of the vote and avoiding the need for a runoff election.