CEDAR HILL, TENNESSEE (Smokey Barn News): Cedar Hill Mayor John Edwards has officially announced his candidacy for Robertson County Mayor in the May 2026 Republican Primary. Edwards, born in Robertson County and the current mayor of Cedar Hill, says he plans to make “responsible growth” a central part of his campaign. Edwards has served as Vice Mayor and Mayor of Cedar Hill since 2020.

“For years, people across our county have asked me to stand with them against reckless development that threatens our farmland, our schools, and our way of life,” Edwards said. “Growth isn’t just about what we gain, it’s also about what we are losing and how fast we’re losing it. Look behind the Robertson County Fairgrounds and what was farmland just last year is now bulldozed dirt for more subdivisions. Consider Vesper Village and its potential future impact on schools, roads, and surrounding neighborhoods, such as Bransford. Growth is here and it’s essential, but we need to ensure we’re not losing who we are to achieve it.

These aren’t just developments; they are permanent changes that can push out lifelong residents and replace our agricultural landscape with copy-and-paste development patterns if we don’t manage it. I am not against growth; I am 100% against irresponsible growth that undermines the character of Robertson County. On day one, I will work tirelessly to ensure responsible growth and roll up my sleeves to serve all who call Robertson County home.

Edwards, a lifelong Robertson County native, has owned his own business for 12 years, working with the State of Tennessee to help individuals with disabilities achieve gainful employment. He has served as Vice Mayor and Mayor of Cedar Hill since 2020.

During his tenure, Edwards has:

• Helped stop a number of large subdivisions in Rural Robertson County, rallying to inform and protect farmland and neighborhood character.
• Enacted a moratorium on solar farms.
• Raised minimum lot sizes for rezoning within the city limits, ensuring that new developments fit the rural character of the area.
• Expanded the Cedar Hill Park and worked with his fellow commissioners to upgrade the playground, construct a new basketball court, and a cornhole station.
• Strategized to systematically enable all streets to be repaved over the next decade, and secured approval for a new tornado siren system.
• Increased funding for local fire protection, personally leading a successful fundraiser for sets of new fire gear.
• Never raised taxes while also having the lowest property tax rate in Robertson County and one of the lowest in Tennessee.

Regionally, Edwards serves on the Robertson County Joint Economic Development Board, the Robertson County Tourism Council, and the Advisory Board for the Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in Clarksville. He previously served as President of Springfield/Robertson County Crime Stoppers and founded the Cedar Hill Farmers Market, and continues to organize the Cedar Hill Fall Festival.

Edwards has also been a leading advocate for stricter regulations on private decentralized wastewater systems, working with state legislators and local media to highlight environmental risks. He has also championed farmland preservation, pushing for an expansion of Gov. Bill Lee’s Farmland Preservation Act to protect Robertson County’s rural heritage.

Edwards’ Priorities as County Mayor

• Responsible Growth: Curtail reckless developments like Vesper Village and others that overwhelm schools, roads, and farmland. We must grow with purpose. We only get one shot to do this right when it comes to growth.
• Transparency: Expand live-streaming and recording to all county boards and committees.
• Rural Preservation: Support farmers, protect farmland, and curb solar farm sprawl that endangers prime agricultural acreage.
• Education: Ensure our teachers and schools are getting the support they need and ensure rezoning and developments don’t cause overcrowding.
• Taxes & Budgeting: Prepare for school construction costs without burdening taxpayers with runaway tax increases.
• Fire Protection: Strengthen volunteer fire departments through funding, grants, and better resources.
• Robertson County First: Push state policymakers on ensuring safe/effective infrastructure, and farmland protection to keep Robertson County “Miles from Ordinary.”

Edwards & his wife live on their family farm in Cedar Hill. Together, they are raising their two children, who are students in the Robertson County School System. Edwards is a lifelong Republican, a Christian, and a proud member of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Gun Owners of America, Robertson County Republican Party, Tennessee Riverkeeper, American Farmland Trust, and TennGreen Land Conservancy.