So, Early Voting started today at the locations around the County. My favorite, given where I live, is Greater Lewis Street Church at the SE corner of Poplar and Parkway, it is relatively easy to get in and out. Please know that when I write these posts, they are MY opinion and MINE ONLY.
There is only one General election this August, for General Sessions Court Clerk. The Republican nominee is Lisa Arnold, who worked there for many years before retiring a decade ago to work as a bail bondsman and a bounty hunter. The Democratic nominee is former County Commissioner Tami Sawyer, who spent one term in the Commission before deciding not to seek re-election in 2022 after an ill-fated race for City Mayor in 2019.
Arnold has downplayed that she is the GOP nominee and I do not blame her, and Sawyer is proud to be a Democrat but has spoken more about what the office entails. While Arnold herself has not gone on the attack, commenters on the Daily Memphian have tried to suggest that she would be like Wanda Halbert, who, sadly, has been less than competent as County Clerk. These charges are ridiculous and dog-whistling.
For her part, Sawyer did move away for a while but returned a while back, and while I certainly did not support her for Mayor, I think she will do a fine job in this office and I recommend a vote for Tami Sawyer for General Sessions Court Clerk.
Now, to the primaries.
US House District 9 - I like Corey Strong, but not right now. He had attacked Steve Cohen for not bringing home enough grants and Federal dollars to the district. One wonders how he reacted upon hearing that the incumbent secured $400 Million today to completely replace the I-55 Memphis-Arkansas Bridge, which has stood since 1948. Now is not the time to change horses, especially a workhorse like Cohen. Corey is a good guy and I can see him in elected office, but not here and not now.
US Senate - This is going to be an uphill race no matter who the Democratic nominee happens to be, but why make it more difficult than it has to be? Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, the hard-fighting State Representative, is the best choice to go up against the completely useless Marsha Blackburn of Williamson County. If you can help Gloria, please do, but vote for her to be the Democratic nominee first.
I do not live in State Senate District 30, but I ask those of you who DO to please vote for incumbent Senator Sara Kyle, who has been a stalwart and one of the best public servants the STATE has ever had, much less District 30. She is opposed by Erika Stotts Pearson, who supports VOUCHERS so that public schools can be drained of funds and given to rich people who send their kids to private schools. Even if Sara Kyle were not the tremendous legislator that she is, the fact that Pearson, who apparently has not bothered to file her campaign disclosures, is a supporter of the voucher scam, is more than enough reason to vote for Sara. Please vote for SARA KYLE.
State House District 84. Joe Towns, Jr. is opposed by Vernell Williams but I have yet to hear a good reason from Williams why Joe Towns should be replaced, let's keep Joe Towns.
State House District 86. Often criticized by many for being to showy, Rep. Justin J. Pearson understands that sometimes being quiet just does not get the job done, because it does not change the issue that we are being bullied by the GOP Supermajority, which we all want to come to an end this November. Sometimes you just have to raise hell at injustice, and Pearson has done that and raised money for other progressive candidates in the process. We need to keep Rep. Justin J. Pearson as long as he wants to serve us as a legislator.
State House District 93 - Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Sr. is opposed by Lashanta Rudd but I have not heard her or why she is running against the veteran legislator. I recommend another term for Rep. G.A. Hardaway, Sr..
State House District 96 - This district was vacated by my friend of more years than I can count, Rep. Dwayne Thompson, who flipped this seat in 2016 after a strong campaign in the Cordova area. While there are several good candidates in this race, like Eric Dunn, one stands above the rest: Former SCDP Chair Gabby Salinas, who almost unseated the now-convicted Senator Brian Kelsey in 2018 in a close race. She, better than any other candidates, represents what Dwayne Thompson has stood for; strong public schools, good government, and making sure that government is fully funded. Gabby Salinas is my choice for District 96.
Unopposed in their State House primaries are first-time candidate Noah Nordstrom, who will face incumbent GOP Rep. Mark White in November in State House District 83, Rep. Jesse Chism (86), House Democratic Leader Karen Camper (87), Rep. Larry J. Miller (88), Rep. Torrey C. Harris (91), Jesse Huseth (97), who faces GOP Rep. John Gillespie in the state's MOST-FLIPPABLE DISTRICT, and Rep. Antonio Parkinson (98).
As I live in MSCS Board District 1, that seat is not up for election until 2026. I have only two recommendations, for the re-election of Commissioners Stephanie Love (3) and Mauricio Calvo (5), both of whom have given great service to the schoolchildren during their time on the board.
So, these are my choices, please go vote in this election and later in November, where I will have only one recommendation: VOTE DEMOCRATIC IN EVERY PARTISAN RACE as our Democracy depends upon it.
No comments:
Post a Comment