Eric Crafton

When interviewed by The Tennessean on the most important issues facing the 22nd district, Councilman Crafton said that it was important to ensure the redevelopment of the Bellevue mall, and that there should be a new library built in Bellevue. Eric Crafton proposed a bill to end discrimination against women, minority and small business owners competing for government contracts; the bill passed unanimously. He also proposed English First bill, which would have made English the official language of the Metro government, while still providing legal, education and medical help to immigrants in other languages. It passed 23-14, but it was vetoed by Mayor Bill Purcell. He also proposed to reduce individual speaking times in front of the Metro Council during the public meetings it holds for zoning changes to allow more people to participate. Councilman Eric Crafton wrote a resolution declaring that Metro supports the use of the words "Christmas" and "Merry Christmas", instead of terms such as "Happy Holidays", "Winter Festival", or the like when referring to Metro Government entities or activities traditionally associated with Christmas. It passed with only one vote against.

Eric Crafton (born October 15, 1968 in Nashville) is a former 3-term member of the Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, representing the 22nd district. He is also an author, inventor and business owner.

Eric Crafton graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1989, Magna Cum Laude, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Math and Economics. In 1994, he graduated from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan, having studied Japanese and Political Economy. He served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy for four-and-a-half years and is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War. He has been bestowed with the Navy Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the National Defense Service Medal. He earned the Navy Achievement Medal for saving his ship, the USS Mobile Bay, from hitting a mine during Desert Storm. He works as a general contractor and as a realtor; he has been building homes since 1996. Additionally, he has authored a book titled Backspin. Hackers, Hustlers and the Fat Man.

Eric Crafton is the Vice Chair of the Convention and Tourism Committee. He is also a member of the Parks, Library, Recreation, and Entertainment Facility Committee; the Planning, Zoning, and Historical Committee; and the Public Works Committee. He has served on the Metro Council from 1995 to 1999, and since 2003.