The voters of District 89 are VERY fortunate.

UPDATE: Today is the day before the Special Election for District 89, and I thought this was the time to bring this back to the top.

Jeannie Richardson has been a Democratic stalwart for years, raising money and helping Democratic candidates all over the County. She has experience working in Nashville on behalf of mental health issues and would be a solid legislator. My understanding is that when the seat became open, she decided to sell her home in Harbor Town and move back into the district in which she once lived. I cannot, and will not say anything bad about her, because it's not possible.

So, why then I am asking you to vote for her opponent, Kevin Gallagher? Because as fine a legislator as she would be, I believe Kevin would be even better.

Kevin and his family have lived in this district for years and he has made a commitment to it. This is his blog where he discusses the issues that face District 89 and how he will respond to them.

He has spent most of his professional life in public service, having worked in county government, and currently consults others about campaigns. You may remember that he was the lead Campaign Manager for our Congressman, Steve Cohen. He, along with Field Director Liz Rincon, laid the groundwork for Cohen's hardfought victory.

In addition, he has served on the Center City Commission, the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth, and the board of the city's AAA minor-league franchise, the Memphis Redbirds.

He, as you know, intended to run for the Senate 30 seat that Congressman Cohen vacated. However, once then-Rep. Marrero got in, he re-thought his candidacy. although he withdrew after the deadline, he took great pains, along with the Marrero campaign, to endorse her, to let the district KNOW he was endorsing her, and supported her victorious campaign.

Kevin has done EVERYTHING we, and those who had promised him an open shot, have asked him to do, even after he made some mistakes that threatened his campaign. He corrected those errors, made it up to all of us who supported him then AND now, and he has busted his ass to win House 89. Kevin DESERVES this chance to be an outstanding representative for 89.

Kevin Gallagher is the right man in the right place at the right time, and if you reside in House District 89, I am asking you to vote for him in the Democratic Primary.