Congratulations to Jeanne Richardson

To the astonishment of absolutely no one,  Jeanne Richardson was elected last night to fill the vacated District 89 seat of former Representative, now Senator Beverly Marrero.

The totals: Jeanne Richardson - 814, Republican Dave Wicker, Jr. 185, and write-in Steve Edmundson received 166 votes in the low turn-out race.

Jeanne follows a long tradition of District 89, as a Democratic woman has represented that area since 1975, beginning with the late Pam Gaia (1975-91), now-City Coincolor Carol Chumney (1991-2003), and Beverly Marrer0 (2003-2007).  In addition, the interim Representative was neighborhood activist Mary Wilder.

She will do a fabulous job for the area, as she is known in Nashville already for her advocacy on behalf of mental health issues, and we are delighted with her victory.

So too, are we delighted that this brings to an end the seemingly ENDLESS series of special elections that began when Carol Chumney left District 89 to run for City Council four years ago.

Great luck to Jeanne, and let's all take a breath until the filing deadline passes at noon tomorrow!

It's almost that time in 89 ALREADY?

NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING
JULY 17, 2007
SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION

Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-103, Tennessee Code Annotated, notice is hereby given by the Shelby County Election Commission of unrestricted early voting for the July 17, 2007, Special General Election as follows:

Site Locations, Dates and Times

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION

157 POPLAR AVE., SUITE 121

Beginning Wednesday, June 27, 2007 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Thurs., June 28 – Friday, June 29, 2007 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Saturday, June 30, 2007 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday, July 2 – Friday, July 6, 2007 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Saturday, July 7, 2007 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday, July 9 – Wed., July 11, 2007 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Last day, Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
OFFICE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2007 FOR HOLIDAY


Satellite Sites

Beginning Saturday, July 7, 2007 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Monday, July 9 – Wed., July 11, 2007 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Last day, Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
OFFICE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 2007 FOR HOLIDAY

LOCATION NAME LOCATION ADDRESS
Berclair Church of Christ 4536 Summer Ave., 38122
Trinity United Methodist Church 1738 Galloway Ave., 38112
Click to display map of the EV Sites

Pursuant to Sec. 2-6-102, TCA, a voter who desires to vote early shall go to the County Election Commission office or to any of the satellite locations listed above within the hours set out for the early voting period, sign an application for ballot and vote. Pursuant to Sec. 2-7-140 (c) (1) voters who are already registered can make address changes at an early voting site. For further information, call 545-4132.

SHELBY COUNTY ELECTION COMMISSION

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.

It looks like ONE District 89 voter has made his choice...

I would imagine that our Congressman, Steve Cohen, would have preferred NOT to take a public stance on this race, as he is friendly with both Jeannie Richardson and his Congressional campaign manager, Kevin Gallagher.

Freedonian, as usual, is on the case here with some background on this situation, which you can find HERE.

More on District 89

Jackson Baker, as good a friend to the local liberal bloggers as anyone could hope for, has written an article about us and how we have influenced local Democratic politics.

To which I can only reply, thank you, it would have been impossible without your support, and I am serious; he has been our champion, and for that we are ALL grateful.

He also writes about the race to succeed Beverly Marrero in District 89, as the winner of the Democratic Primary will win the general, because A) no one has heard of either Republican and B) the Goopers aren't going to waste good money on a district they have no hope of winning.

I am torn in this race. Dabney and Rick have gotten out front in support of Kevin Gallagher, as Wintermute has done the same for Jeannie Richardson. Full disclosure: I have given Kevin advice and talked to him about this race as to what I would do were I in his shoes, and I had also done that before Jeannie got in the race.

Truth be told, I think either of them would be a great rep. I have known Jeannie for years, and I was a champion for Kevin's former Senate campaign, which he gave up to help elect Beverly Marrero.

I will not bash either of them in this race; while I was disappointed with Kevin for a short time, I would be remiss if I failed to inform you that there are people who were far more upset with him, and they are back with him more solid than ever, and that's something to be said for Kevin. He took his lumps, made his amends, and is working harder than ever to live up to his promises.

I will tell you this much; there is one clear winner in this race, and it is District 89.

District 89's Democratic Primary is under way

and beginning to scare me.

First, Wintermute puts out a list of Jeannie Richardson's qualifications, listing everything but her blood type.

However, Kevin Gallagher, who has been running hard for that seat since Beverly Marrero's Senate victory, has TWO websites, one here and a blog on ISSUES here.

Ok, what the hell's going on here? ISSUES? Qualifications? What the hell does THIS have to do with Democratic politics? Damn liberals.

Oh, wait.....

From Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal...: Thank You, Joe.

Confessions of a West Tennessee Liberal...: Thank You, Joe.

Joe asked me to post this here as well, it speaks for itself:

I rarely post comments on blogs. In fact, I've posted only one blog previously on my friend Steve's Leftwingcracker. There's always an exception and I recognize this as an exceptional exception. I can't and shouldn't be mute on this matter. I've known David for a few short years but recognized his value asa human being when I first met him. Through him a optimistic preview of what hopefully lies ahead for political leadership and community activism is possible. There are honest,dedicated, servant-leadership oriented, and hard-working young people outthere. Such a person is found in my friend, comrade, and ally, David Holt.

I went to work immediately when I heard the rumor that David was considering this step. When I called him and confirmed what I heard was true, I went to work in support of him that same hour. All readers of this blog should do the same. Find out what you can do to help David and Just Do It! No hesitation, nogames, procrastination.

David Holt has a great mind and moralcompass. He's reliable and sees a thing through to completion. He is well-respected and has a quiet and unassuming dignity that I respect and admire greatly. He is a man of courage and honor. We have a blessing, gift, and advocate in David Holt!

Yours in service,
Joe Wm.Young, II

I am honored to have Joe as my friend as well.

I have a candidate for the 89 interim appointment

Ya know him, ya love him, ya know he'd do the job well until the replacement was elected, and even better, he WANTS to do it.

Not only that, David Holt proceeds to make a compelling case for his appointment, just as Freedonian did the other day. Read a sample:

I’m passionate about politics, as my long-suffering wife knows all too well. I’ve been involved in politics at all levels since before I was old enough to vote. I’ve knocked on doors, helped raise money, called voters, and generally worked myself ragged for issues and candidates I believe in for years. I’ve been called a liberal, a progressive, and a populist. I don’t shy away from any of those labels, although my politics is not necessarily bound by any label. Although I realize that as an interim representative my powers will be limited, I do want to use my time in Nashville to push for improved access to healthcare, strengthening our education system, protecting our environment, and keeping our spending within our means. I am passionate about these issues and hope to be able to affect them in Nashville. In reality, I doubt that my voting record would be much different from what that of Sen. Marrero and Councilperson Chumney would have been.

All righty, then. County Commission, here's your interim choice. Come on, whaddaya want me to do, gift-wrap him? David Holt is your best choice.