So, I am ok, no tests for me yet, no symptions, either.
I was asked if I was going to do any recommendations for the Primaries and the GS court clerk race, so here we go.
I agree with some of my friends that neither Paul Boyd (R) or former councilor Joe Brown (D) deserves the job of General Sessions court clerk, considering how great a job the outgoing Ed Stanton Jr. has been doing in the position. That said, since it is almost impossible for a write-in to win, one of these two will be the next Clerk. Simply based on the hope that the former Councilor will have less of a turnover in that office, I held my nose and voted for Joe Brown.
Sigh. Can't help but wonder how many people in our March Primary thought they were voting for the former state and TV judge.
Ok, then, onto the state and Federal primnary. James Mackler should have been our nominee against Marsha Blackburn, except that Chuck Schumer and others in Tennessee had the bright idea to force him out and replace him with Phil Bredesen. So, how'd that work out for y'all? Not sure that Mackler would have been closer, but I would have felt better about my vote. There are other good people in this race, but only Mackler can (and HAS) raise enough money to compete against what ever the GOP throws up at us. What can you say about a primary where George Flinn is the closest thing to a voice of reason. EWWWWWWW
TN-09. Steve Cohen still up and at it? Ok, good enough for me. Especially now that we have the ,majority in the US House, Nancy Pelosi is going to be Speaker, and that is why we need Steve Cohen to stay there. He has fought for his constituents since 1984 in either the State Senate or Congress, and he does what a Congressman is supposed to do, great constituent work and keeping that Federal grany money rolling in.
Corey Strong is a good dude but when I see his commercials, I wonder if he knows what a Congressman is supposed to do. (It looks like he is running for Mayor, not Congress). Any way, Cohen until he decides he doesn't want to do this any more.
HOUSE 90 - TORREY HARRIS . I am in 31 so no Senate race on my ballot this year. The race to replace the removed John DeBerry as our Democratic nominee should go to Harris, who has government experience and and understands what is needed in our district. The other two candidates, Catrina Smith, boasts an endorsement from TV Judge Greg Mathis (and that helps anyone how????) and Anya Parker have not really impressed me, so Harris it is.
I voted to retain the Appeals Judge, Carma Dennis McGee.
So, those are the races I voted in. Now, to the rest of the primaries.
There are some races with no primary opposition, here they are:
Senate 32 - Julie Byrd Ashworth
House 83 - Jerri Green, our best hope to knock off Mark White.
House 87, our terrific Leader, Karen Camper!!!
House 91, our up and coming star, London Lamar
House 93, the venerable GA Hardaway
House 95, Lynette Williams, who is challenging Kevin Vaughn out east
House 96, the man you can blame for getting me into all this, Dwayne Thompson! :)
And now, the primary battles:
SENATE 30 Senator Sara Kyle has LaTroy Williams against her in the primary. Sara Kyle has been a public servant as long as I can remember. She is tough as nails, a fighter for her people, and has never tried to bilk candidates into supporting a sample ballot. no contest, Sara Kyle!
HOUSE 84. Joe Towns, our friend of many years, has primary opposition in Dominique Primer. I have to confess, I know nothing about her, but she seems to have some support. Joe, yes, I will support you BUT WILL YOU HIRE A DAMN TREASURER TO DO YOUR DISCLOSURES??? Rant over.
HOUSE 85 - First term Rep. Jesse Chism has opposition from former SCYD Chair Alvin Crook. Based on what I have seen so far, I am of the opinion that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
HOUSE 86. Why the hell does BARBARA COOPER have opposition in the primary every two years? I see she has three candidates against her again, and I will bet all of them combined won't get to 40%. She stays connected to her community, they love her and will re-nominate her.
HOUSE 88 - Larry Miller, because, again, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
HOUSE 97 - ALLAN CREASY. He busted his butt two years ago against Jim Coley, and he made a major dent, but it is tough to unseat an incumbent. Even though it is tough with COVID to do door to door, he has made major headway in the areas of the District, even in the giant red blob that is Bartlett. ALLAN IS OUR BEST SHOT TO FLIP THIS SEAT. Yes, we all love Gabby Salinas and she has raised a ton of money, but I think it would be tougher for her in November.
HOUSE 98 - Rep. Antonio Parkinson always faces primary opposition because he fights FOR public schools and AGAINST charters and vouchers. Stick with him District 98, he always fights for you!
SCS BOARD positions.
My District, 1, is not up this time. I was for Mauricio Calvo in 5 but he withdrew over the weekend in favor of Sheleah Harris, so I will trust him here.
I had not one but TWO friends who were planning to run since Kevin Woods had not planned to run for re-elecion. He changed his mind and ran, they pulled out and supported him, so I will go with Kevin Woods in 4.
Re-elect Stephanie Love in District 3 and Miska Clay Bibbs in 7 and that rounds out my suggestions.
EITHER REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT OR EARLY VOTE! You have until 4 PM on Saturday, August 1.
As always, be careful out there AND WEAR A DAMN MASK WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR HOUSE!
Monday, July 20, 2020
Friday, February 14, 2020
Elizabeth Warren for President and other thoughts
Of course I am supporting Elizabeth Warren for President, she REALLY knows how to get things done. If she had run four years ago, she would be running for re-election now and Donald Trump would still be begging NBC to let him stay on the air.
But she didn't run, Bernie did, and I voted for him in the primary. I voted for Hillary in the general, like all of the DEMOCRATS who voted for Bernie in the primary did. The Bernie or Bust crew were NOT Democrats, so what happened happened. He is not going away, in fact, most of his 2016 platform has been scooped up by the other candidates, except "Mayo Pete", as Duncan Black at ATRIOS calls the Mayor of South Bend.
Democrats, can we talk for a minute? WILL YOU CALM THE HELL DOWN??? NOTHING CAN BE DONE LEGALLY TO REMOVE DONALD TRUMP UNTIL NOVEMBER 3. EVEN THEN, WE WILL STILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 20 FOR HIM TO LEAVE.
Now, do I have your attention? We have so far only had votes in two of the whitest states in the Union, and some really good people couldn't even get there, like Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), who was my #3 choice after Warren and Sanders. I do believe Joe Biden is sinking, and unless he wins BIG in South Carolina, he is toast. That expectation, no doubt, is why former Republican NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg jumped parties and is spending $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in Super Tuesday states, when he will finally appear on ballots. I know a lot of people who are working for him. I am not upset, bills gotta get paid somehow. That said, I sure as hell am not going to vote for him IN THE PRIMARY and I hope like hell I don't HAVE to vote for him in the general.
Yes, I will in November if I have to. That even goes for Mayo Pete.
But I really want our Democrats to find someone they like IN THE PRIMARY and help them. Vote for them, give them money, do your best to help them but don't get pissed off if they lose. THAT MEANS YOU TOO, BERNIE PEOPLE, THERE IS NO DAMN ROOM FOR ANYONE OR BUST. CAPICHE???
But we will get to the general soon enough. Frankly, I believe the Obama/Trump people have already returned to the fold, based on what we saw in 2018 in the Congressional races. I feel better about the Midwest than I did 4 years ago.
One last thing. I know most all of you hate Trump. I pity him more than anything else. Just remember, he FEEDS on your hatred. Do me a favor and IGNORE HIM. Do NOT give him what he craves, which is the satisfaction that he can make your life miserable. Don't hate, ORGANIZE behind the Democrat of your choice AT EVERY FREAKING LEVEL of government. HELP THEM. GIVE THEM MONEY.
Do that, and we will do the laughing on November 3.
But she didn't run, Bernie did, and I voted for him in the primary. I voted for Hillary in the general, like all of the DEMOCRATS who voted for Bernie in the primary did. The Bernie or Bust crew were NOT Democrats, so what happened happened. He is not going away, in fact, most of his 2016 platform has been scooped up by the other candidates, except "Mayo Pete", as Duncan Black at ATRIOS calls the Mayor of South Bend.
Democrats, can we talk for a minute? WILL YOU CALM THE HELL DOWN??? NOTHING CAN BE DONE LEGALLY TO REMOVE DONALD TRUMP UNTIL NOVEMBER 3. EVEN THEN, WE WILL STILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY 20 FOR HIM TO LEAVE.
Now, do I have your attention? We have so far only had votes in two of the whitest states in the Union, and some really good people couldn't even get there, like Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), who was my #3 choice after Warren and Sanders. I do believe Joe Biden is sinking, and unless he wins BIG in South Carolina, he is toast. That expectation, no doubt, is why former Republican NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg jumped parties and is spending $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in Super Tuesday states, when he will finally appear on ballots. I know a lot of people who are working for him. I am not upset, bills gotta get paid somehow. That said, I sure as hell am not going to vote for him IN THE PRIMARY and I hope like hell I don't HAVE to vote for him in the general.
Yes, I will in November if I have to. That even goes for Mayo Pete.
But I really want our Democrats to find someone they like IN THE PRIMARY and help them. Vote for them, give them money, do your best to help them but don't get pissed off if they lose. THAT MEANS YOU TOO, BERNIE PEOPLE, THERE IS NO DAMN ROOM FOR ANYONE OR BUST. CAPICHE???
But we will get to the general soon enough. Frankly, I believe the Obama/Trump people have already returned to the fold, based on what we saw in 2018 in the Congressional races. I feel better about the Midwest than I did 4 years ago.
One last thing. I know most all of you hate Trump. I pity him more than anything else. Just remember, he FEEDS on your hatred. Do me a favor and IGNORE HIM. Do NOT give him what he craves, which is the satisfaction that he can make your life miserable. Don't hate, ORGANIZE behind the Democrat of your choice AT EVERY FREAKING LEVEL of government. HELP THEM. GIVE THEM MONEY.
Do that, and we will do the laughing on November 3.
Reginald Milton for General Sessions Court Clerk
As Jon noted back in January, Ed Stanton Jr. has decided not to seek re-election as General Sessions Court Clerk. What is interesting is that the first person he informed of this decision was my friend and my County Commissioner, Reginald Milton.
After giving the matter great thought, as he does whenever he is considering such decisions, he decided to run for the Democratic nomination for that seat. As he has spent the majority of his adult life serving others, whether it is through his non-profit South Memphis Alliance or with the Shelby County Democratic Party, or as he has since 2014, as District 10 County Commissioner, Reggie puts the people he serves first.
He is not just a great servant, he is an even better human being. I have no doubt that he will keep everything in great shape, hire great staff when needed, and serve the lawyers and other users of that office with the same strength and wisdom that he uses at the Alliance and on the Commission.
Early voting started on Wednesday and goes through February 25, with the regular election day at your polling place on March 3. Please join me and so many other citizens of our County, like City Court Clerk Myron Lowery and our Mayor, Jim Strickland, in supporting Reginald Milton for General Sessions Court Clerk!
After giving the matter great thought, as he does whenever he is considering such decisions, he decided to run for the Democratic nomination for that seat. As he has spent the majority of his adult life serving others, whether it is through his non-profit South Memphis Alliance or with the Shelby County Democratic Party, or as he has since 2014, as District 10 County Commissioner, Reggie puts the people he serves first.
He is not just a great servant, he is an even better human being. I have no doubt that he will keep everything in great shape, hire great staff when needed, and serve the lawyers and other users of that office with the same strength and wisdom that he uses at the Alliance and on the Commission.
Early voting started on Wednesday and goes through February 25, with the regular election day at your polling place on March 3. Please join me and so many other citizens of our County, like City Court Clerk Myron Lowery and our Mayor, Jim Strickland, in supporting Reginald Milton for General Sessions Court Clerk!
Thursday, January 30, 2020
I am donating to Allan Creasy for House 97 and hope to get another campaign going as well!
I hope that you will also donate to Allan, whatever you can. On Wednesday, I signed up to give him $25 a month through the end of what I am anticipating will be a successful campaign for House District 97.
As you know, Allan campaigned hard for that seat in 2018, knocking on doors and contacting voters for over a year, only to lose a close race to longtime Representative Jim Coley of Bartlett. As you may know, Representative Coley has decided to retire at the end of this term, making this an open seat.
Allan has been working hard getting to know the voters over these years, and I trust him to do the right job for this District. I supported him in 2018 and will again this year. He understands the issues of the District, and he is supported by our good friend, Representative Dwayne Thompson (D-96, Cordova), as well as many others.
Because the seat is open, it has attracted Republicans, who want to keep their supermajority in Nashville, and also by Democrats. One of the Democrats is apparently being supported by Charter school interests, which is never a good thing. Allan is PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION and is against charters and vouchers, which weaken public education funding.
And, there is also someone in the race who most, if not ALL of our readers, including me, have a deep and abiding respect for, Gabby Salinas. She won a hard-fought primary campaign in 2018 for Senate 31 over David Weatherspoon, and then nearly unseated Brian Kelsey in November. She is terrific, a solid campaigner and a terrific fundraiser. I have no bad things to say about her because it just is not possible, and I know Allan feels the same way.
To be honest, I think Gabby is setting her sights way too low. The Senate seat she sought is not up this year unless Kelsey is indicted and convicted, but that has not happened yet. By the time it is up again in 2022, due to redistricting, it may well have moved much further east. So, what should she do?
I believe this is going to be one of the highest turnout years in history. Anything can happen, and someone with her wonderful story and work ethic can attract volunteers and money for a bigger race yet.
District 8 in the United States House of Representatives, in fact. 45% of House 8 is Shelby County. In this year, if Democrats are going to do as well as I believe they are, David Kustoff is more vulnerable than you might think, even if he has spent the last three years with his head firmly up Trump's sphincter. This is a race Gabby can win, and I promise to support that campaign, and I suspect most of you would as well.
Gabby would be an amazing addition to the Democratic ticket that would help to increase our turnout not just in Shelby County, but from here to Tiptonville to Dresden to Jackson and back again.
Gabby, you can do this, we believe in you. Please seriously consider this, because that would give us TWO great local candidates on our ticket.
I am in, what about the rest of you??
As you know, Allan campaigned hard for that seat in 2018, knocking on doors and contacting voters for over a year, only to lose a close race to longtime Representative Jim Coley of Bartlett. As you may know, Representative Coley has decided to retire at the end of this term, making this an open seat.
Allan has been working hard getting to know the voters over these years, and I trust him to do the right job for this District. I supported him in 2018 and will again this year. He understands the issues of the District, and he is supported by our good friend, Representative Dwayne Thompson (D-96, Cordova), as well as many others.
Because the seat is open, it has attracted Republicans, who want to keep their supermajority in Nashville, and also by Democrats. One of the Democrats is apparently being supported by Charter school interests, which is never a good thing. Allan is PRO-PUBLIC EDUCATION and is against charters and vouchers, which weaken public education funding.
And, there is also someone in the race who most, if not ALL of our readers, including me, have a deep and abiding respect for, Gabby Salinas. She won a hard-fought primary campaign in 2018 for Senate 31 over David Weatherspoon, and then nearly unseated Brian Kelsey in November. She is terrific, a solid campaigner and a terrific fundraiser. I have no bad things to say about her because it just is not possible, and I know Allan feels the same way.
To be honest, I think Gabby is setting her sights way too low. The Senate seat she sought is not up this year unless Kelsey is indicted and convicted, but that has not happened yet. By the time it is up again in 2022, due to redistricting, it may well have moved much further east. So, what should she do?
I believe this is going to be one of the highest turnout years in history. Anything can happen, and someone with her wonderful story and work ethic can attract volunteers and money for a bigger race yet.
District 8 in the United States House of Representatives, in fact. 45% of House 8 is Shelby County. In this year, if Democrats are going to do as well as I believe they are, David Kustoff is more vulnerable than you might think, even if he has spent the last three years with his head firmly up Trump's sphincter. This is a race Gabby can win, and I promise to support that campaign, and I suspect most of you would as well.
Gabby would be an amazing addition to the Democratic ticket that would help to increase our turnout not just in Shelby County, but from here to Tiptonville to Dresden to Jackson and back again.
Gabby, you can do this, we believe in you. Please seriously consider this, because that would give us TWO great local candidates on our ticket.
I am in, what about the rest of you??
Friday, January 10, 2020
What's new is old again
Ed Stanton is retiring as General Sessions Court Clerk. An important position here in the land of the Grit n' Grind.
Reginald Milton (the likely winner) will run for the seat against a crew of fellow challengers that represent the problem here in Memphis. One is John Ford who delusionally thinks that he can run as a convicted felon whose rights have not been restored and also, really? Fellow commissioner Eddie Jones is also running. There's also Thomas Long, the former Clerk and perennial loser, Dell Gill. Dell is up there in the why are you running when no one will listen or take you seriously lane with Boudini Brown wannabe, Latroy Williams.
I want to stress this, I think Reginald will do an excellent job. I think he is the most qualified and up there on the list of qualified people that I know. That aside, my problem with the candidates we have is that they never seem to change. We have council people jump to the commission and vice versa due to term limits. Once they exhaust that, they run for clerk positions in the city or county. The state Representative and Senate seats turn over less often a car with a dead battery.
Combine the lack of open positions with lack of sheer opportunities due to lack of positions and you see the problem. We have too few positions that are too large in both the city and county. The commission could be twice as big honestly, the council-eliminate the super districts, and the Education Board- double it.
Why? Because the seats being so large means they don't represent their areas properly. It costs too much to run, leaving candidates beholden to lobbyists and special interests. It makes districts unwalkable.
Further, too many of the elected officials we have try and pass on their seats to their son or daughter or hire family members to work in their offices, giving them a leg up when that seat comes open. We don't need this. We need fresh people in there running.
Hell, the Republicans do it. Why can't we? You know how they took so many seats from us throughout the South in the 70s through the 2000's? Replacing their members frequently. Notice how very few of them transitioned laterally or down? No, it was always up or out. Nepotism was cut way back until the Trumps with the exception of the Bush's.
We'll never progress unless we start making the new the new.
Wednesday, January 01, 2020
THIS IS 2020
However, I am not Barbara Walters, as you know.
After receiving encouragement from my co-blogger and semi-adopted son, Jon Carroll, who will also be writing here again (as you have noticed), and from my friend and legendary reporter, Jackson Baker, I have decided to come back for this year.
As Jon has already noted, we know who we are and what we are called to do, we need to do it. ALL of us. We have a great deal of work to do to register voters and get them to the polls. NON-VOTERS, more than the Russians, more than the Jill Stein voters, more than any other sector of society, are the reason we have Donald Trump today.
Millennials and Gen Z are saddled with heinous debt and lack of real opportunity and are naturally pessimistic with the state of things, and with good reason. Boomers who fell for Reagan's schtick in the 80s have turned into the Trumpites of the teens. (NOTE: WE ARE IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE TEENS. ENOUGH SAID.)
However, no matter how much you complain, I can only say this to you: NO ONE WILL GIVE A DAMN UNTIL YOU SHOW UP TO VOTE. PERIOD. Frankly, this starts NOW. (Yes, I know a lot of millennials and Zs who have been doing that, but it is only a start).
You have a lot more to worry about that I did when I was becoming of legal age to vote. My predecessors fought for 18-year-olds to have the right to vote so we could elect people that would get the US out of Vietnam. It worked! You are not alone, and those who are active can help you get active, because you need to do so for no other reason than self-preservation as individuals and as a society.
We saw some signs of this in 2018 around the country, not as much in local and state elections in 2019. Here is another thing: THE MORE LOCAL YOUR ELECTION, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS TO AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE. (I can hear it now: Cracker, I notice that you didn't mention this when we went into city elections a year ago, why not? BECAUSE YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS.)
Another thing that I will NOT tolerate in this, possibly the most important year in the history of this republic, is whining about POLITICS. Politics is defined, literally, as "THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES". The market CANNOT DO THIS EQUITABLY, IT IS NOT SET UP THAT WAY. Markets are set up for people to exploit for profit, not help anyone, and we need to understand this.
People who complain about politics are too lazy to do the very things they need to do to survive and thrive. What people say when they complain about politics and say that "politics" cost them something they wanted are really saying they were not willing to work with other people to get what they needed.
I get that people who are introverted (as I once was myself), will get steamed because it is difficult for them to get involved in what is going on around them. However, if you don't, you will not get what you and your community needs in this day and age. Stand up, and others will stand with you because you are showing courage. I have already seen that in the Presidential Primary campaigns, and I think it is a great sign. We need to keep seeing this wherever you are.
This is called leadership, and as the Artist Formerly Known as Newscoma, our beloved Trace Sharp, is fond of saying, LEADERS JUST LEAD. As more people stand with you, you will understand the joy of common purpose. We need leaders who can bring people together for a common purpose, which is what GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
Private entities can only do so much due to limited resources, GOVERNMENTS CAN ALWAYS DO MORE BECAUSE OF THE POWER TO TAX. The first person to say TAXATION IS THEFT means that they want YOU to pay THEIR fair share of governance, so the hell with them. You don't like how your government is spending your money?? GET INVOLVED.
AS Democrats (which I presume most of you who are reading this happen to be, or even further to the left), this year is critical because the GOP is Trump and Trump is the GOP. Republicans will NOT revert back to being kindly old curmudgeons who will suddenly care about governance once Trump is out of office. Neither Howard Baker or Fred Thompson are walking through that door, people. Even if they were alive and in their prime, neither could win a primary because they would be called LIBERALS. Think about that, Joe Biden, OK??
We need to win at EVERY LEVEL of government, not just the White House. That will not happen unless people who either have never voted or quit voting return to the practice. You don't know about state House and Senate races and who is running? LEARN. Your very lives may depend on it.
I am not going to say a lot about the upcoming Presidential primary except that, at the moment, I am voting for Elizabeth Warren. I agree more with Bernie Sanders but I am skeptical of his ability to get done what he wants. I could vote for him in the general, though.
Toward this end, Jon and I are in the process of developing a podcast, which you will hear more about in the coming days. I am grateful to Jon and Jackson for getting me up and running again. I have to remember what Jon said in the prior post, because it applies to our elected officials, as well as to each of us:
DO YOUR JOB.
Happy New Year, and let's get to work.
After receiving encouragement from my co-blogger and semi-adopted son, Jon Carroll, who will also be writing here again (as you have noticed), and from my friend and legendary reporter, Jackson Baker, I have decided to come back for this year.
As Jon has already noted, we know who we are and what we are called to do, we need to do it. ALL of us. We have a great deal of work to do to register voters and get them to the polls. NON-VOTERS, more than the Russians, more than the Jill Stein voters, more than any other sector of society, are the reason we have Donald Trump today.
Millennials and Gen Z are saddled with heinous debt and lack of real opportunity and are naturally pessimistic with the state of things, and with good reason. Boomers who fell for Reagan's schtick in the 80s have turned into the Trumpites of the teens. (NOTE: WE ARE IN THE FINAL YEAR OF THE TEENS. ENOUGH SAID.)
However, no matter how much you complain, I can only say this to you: NO ONE WILL GIVE A DAMN UNTIL YOU SHOW UP TO VOTE. PERIOD. Frankly, this starts NOW. (Yes, I know a lot of millennials and Zs who have been doing that, but it is only a start).
You have a lot more to worry about that I did when I was becoming of legal age to vote. My predecessors fought for 18-year-olds to have the right to vote so we could elect people that would get the US out of Vietnam. It worked! You are not alone, and those who are active can help you get active, because you need to do so for no other reason than self-preservation as individuals and as a society.
We saw some signs of this in 2018 around the country, not as much in local and state elections in 2019. Here is another thing: THE MORE LOCAL YOUR ELECTION, THE MORE LIKELY IT IS TO AFFECT HOW YOU LIVE. (I can hear it now: Cracker, I notice that you didn't mention this when we went into city elections a year ago, why not? BECAUSE YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW THIS.)
Another thing that I will NOT tolerate in this, possibly the most important year in the history of this republic, is whining about POLITICS. Politics is defined, literally, as "THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES". The market CANNOT DO THIS EQUITABLY, IT IS NOT SET UP THAT WAY. Markets are set up for people to exploit for profit, not help anyone, and we need to understand this.
People who complain about politics are too lazy to do the very things they need to do to survive and thrive. What people say when they complain about politics and say that "politics" cost them something they wanted are really saying they were not willing to work with other people to get what they needed.
I get that people who are introverted (as I once was myself), will get steamed because it is difficult for them to get involved in what is going on around them. However, if you don't, you will not get what you and your community needs in this day and age. Stand up, and others will stand with you because you are showing courage. I have already seen that in the Presidential Primary campaigns, and I think it is a great sign. We need to keep seeing this wherever you are.
This is called leadership, and as the Artist Formerly Known as Newscoma, our beloved Trace Sharp, is fond of saying, LEADERS JUST LEAD. As more people stand with you, you will understand the joy of common purpose. We need leaders who can bring people together for a common purpose, which is what GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO DO.
Private entities can only do so much due to limited resources, GOVERNMENTS CAN ALWAYS DO MORE BECAUSE OF THE POWER TO TAX. The first person to say TAXATION IS THEFT means that they want YOU to pay THEIR fair share of governance, so the hell with them. You don't like how your government is spending your money?? GET INVOLVED.
AS Democrats (which I presume most of you who are reading this happen to be, or even further to the left), this year is critical because the GOP is Trump and Trump is the GOP. Republicans will NOT revert back to being kindly old curmudgeons who will suddenly care about governance once Trump is out of office. Neither Howard Baker or Fred Thompson are walking through that door, people. Even if they were alive and in their prime, neither could win a primary because they would be called LIBERALS. Think about that, Joe Biden, OK??
We need to win at EVERY LEVEL of government, not just the White House. That will not happen unless people who either have never voted or quit voting return to the practice. You don't know about state House and Senate races and who is running? LEARN. Your very lives may depend on it.
I am not going to say a lot about the upcoming Presidential primary except that, at the moment, I am voting for Elizabeth Warren. I agree more with Bernie Sanders but I am skeptical of his ability to get done what he wants. I could vote for him in the general, though.
Toward this end, Jon and I are in the process of developing a podcast, which you will hear more about in the coming days. I am grateful to Jon and Jackson for getting me up and running again. I have to remember what Jon said in the prior post, because it applies to our elected officials, as well as to each of us:
DO YOUR JOB.
Happy New Year, and let's get to work.
Do your job
It's a mantra that I have always stressed. It's stolen from the greatest NFL coach of all time, Bill Belichek.
Belichek is not warm and fuzzy. He is if anything, the exact opposite in public and with the media. With his players he tends to be different, more warm (to a point), joking, and caring. But always with the belief and desire to do his job and have you do yours.
That is what we want our representatives to do. The job we elected them to do. Be it a city councilman, a court clerk, or a county commissioner or someone who works directly for them. No matter what, we want them do their job.
Congress has ultra low approval numbers, but individual congresspeople have high ones. Trump has sky high approval for Republicans, dumpster fire low with Democrats.
Why? Because they are seen as doing their job by the people who elected them. We think Jim Jordan is a fast talking obstructionist carrying Trump's water. They see Jim Jordan as a fast talking truth finder defending the president.
Guess what? He's doing his job as the people who vote for him see it.
We change this by changing the people who vote for him/her. We change this by registering voters in districts. We change this by electing representatives who will change the district's maps.
We do this through the grind. Future901 for example is not concerned with just 2020, they are concerned with all the elections leading up to 2030 as well. They y want to change the narrative here. We need to work on this state wide. Look at Virginia for an example for us. Look at North Carolina in 2010 for them. The grind went in to change the people voted in.
We do our job of the grind. We do our job of changing the people. We do our job of changing the people's lives.
Monday, December 30, 2019
Respect The Grind
Memphis, the Grind City.
It is what we are, it is who we are. Grit n' Grind was the Grizzlies, our beloved NBA team for many years. Mark Jones called us that in the Cotton Bowl this past week.
It is what we want our representatives to do. Grind out the work needed for their constituents. Make their lives better. Do it over a period of time that shows your commitment.
We respect and honor those who make it to the top by putting in the work and earning their way to success. We don't like flash, we love substance. We love people who earn the love.
Memphis has two favorite sons. Jerry Lawler, the wrestling King of Memphis. He did the grind to take the torch from his mentor, Sputnik Monroe. Penny Hardaway would be the second, he took the torch from the previous basketball god of Memphis, Larry Finch. Hardaway has come home to continue the grind. A lot of fans wish Penny had continued to be a viable player when the Grizzle came from Vancouver.
We are due for a torch passing of sorts within the next 4 or so years in two major areas. Jim Strickland, a man who has grinded out working on making the city better, has four more years in public service. Steve Cohen, a Memphis icon who will never get the respect and honor he deserves in this state and this city, has fewer years left ahead of him in office than behind.
There will be a rush to fill their voids. Who will get your vote? My only recommendation. Respect the grind.
It is what we are, it is who we are. Grit n' Grind was the Grizzlies, our beloved NBA team for many years. Mark Jones called us that in the Cotton Bowl this past week.
It is what we want our representatives to do. Grind out the work needed for their constituents. Make their lives better. Do it over a period of time that shows your commitment.
We respect and honor those who make it to the top by putting in the work and earning their way to success. We don't like flash, we love substance. We love people who earn the love.
Memphis has two favorite sons. Jerry Lawler, the wrestling King of Memphis. He did the grind to take the torch from his mentor, Sputnik Monroe. Penny Hardaway would be the second, he took the torch from the previous basketball god of Memphis, Larry Finch. Hardaway has come home to continue the grind. A lot of fans wish Penny had continued to be a viable player when the Grizzle came from Vancouver.
We are due for a torch passing of sorts within the next 4 or so years in two major areas. Jim Strickland, a man who has grinded out working on making the city better, has four more years in public service. Steve Cohen, a Memphis icon who will never get the respect and honor he deserves in this state and this city, has fewer years left ahead of him in office than behind.
There will be a rush to fill their voids. Who will get your vote? My only recommendation. Respect the grind.
Friday, October 04, 2019
It has been a while, and I have a lot to say.
I am very happy that my friend and Mayor, Jim Strickland was overwhelmingly re elected with 62.1 percent of the vote.
Why, some of you will ask, didn't you vote for a real progressive? And then referred me to the third-place finisher, the County Commissioner who could not even wait to finish ONE YEAR in office before she ran for City Mayor. I would have written in Pamela Moses before I would ever vote for Tami Sawyer, now or in the future.
I have lived in Memphis, Tennessee since June 17, 1972. I have lived under Wyeth Chandler, J, O, Patterson, Wallace Madewell, Dick Hackett, Willie Herenton, Myron Lowery, AC Wharton, and the gentleman who will now serve us through 2023, Jim Strickland.
ONLY ONE MAYOR has used the term Black Lives Matter in the way it was meant to be used, for real and unironically. ONLY ONE MAYOR has attended Pride in Memphis and marched in the parade and hired a LGBTQIA Liaison (by the way, that Liaison does a damn fine job!). ONLY ONE WHITE MAYOR has ever, to my knowledge, been a life member of the NAACP. ONLY ONE MAYOR has, to my knowledge, served as the Chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party.
And that is the fellow who got 62.1% of the vote of the city tonight: JIM STRICKLAND. Do I agree with him on everything? Of course not. When I have disagreed with him in the past (and I used to call him up when he was my Councilman), he would hear me out and then explain why he disagreed. He would not placate me, which is one of the reasons he won four years ago.
Tami Sawyer is still butthurt that she didn't get credit for the statues coming down. I think the voters of the city, if they had ANY question about that, settled that this evening. He had started working on that while he was on the Council, about the time you were bragging about outing one of your teachers at St. Mary's. I don't think you had many LGBTQIA voters left by the time your 6,666 voters were counted. (No, I am not making that up.) That adds up to 6.9%, single digits, as I had forecast some weeks ago.
You know who understands that we still have a long way to go when it comes to income inequality? JIM STRICKLAND. Everything that you claim to want, Commissioner, they have been working on since he took office in 2016. Just what do you think would have happened if you had gotten elected and attempted to do what you said you would do? Look at whom we have in the General Assembly from outside Shelby and Davidson Counties, do you really think they would let you do that? They would be salivating to crush a Mayor who is a woman of color, and by the time you won in the courts your term would be up and people here would be tired of the drama.
You have slandered our Mayor for the last three years, and the voters told you tonight what they think about that. Your base is not North or South Memphis, Frayser or Raleigh, Whitehaven or Hickory Hill. It is the western end of the Poplar Corridor, it's made up of cranky old Midtowners. You got mad about Jackson Baker mentioning that in the Memphis Magazine story, but it is the TRUTH. It is time to pay attention to the people of Commission District 7, Commissioner. Whoever talked you into running against a popular Mayor did you no favors.
Most of all, if you had stuck to your plan of getting elected and then re-elected to the Commission and THEN running for Mayor in 2023, you would have been in a better position to establish yourself legislatively, raise the funding necessary to get elected, and, in all seriousness, had time to clean up your social media. After tonight, who knows? Sure, you say you are going to keep doing what you have been doing, but if only 7% are listening...............
Enough, it is time to address the media coverage, in particular, the Commercial Appeal, who especially on Election Day had Daniel Connolly and Sarah Macaraeg talking to every voter who apparently had decided THAT VERY DAY to vote for the Commissioner. Well, CA, way to play to 7% of the voting populace! That should help with subscriptions! Oy. Jackson Baker GOT IT RIGHT. Otis Sanford GOT IT RIGHT. Bill Dries GOT IT RIGHT. And to be fair, Ryan Poe GOT IT RIGHT in Election Day's 901 column.
I also understand that, especially with the CA, they wanted to portray the race as being closer than it ever really was, in order to get clicks and subscriptions. (NOTE: Until someone local owns the CA, I am not subscribing. I feel bad for the good people who write there, but I cannot subsidize what Gannett and their new partner is doing to the paper and the website, which is, and has been, hideous).
It will be fascinating to see how the Mayor is covered by the CA from this point forward, considering that the Millennials could not be bothered to show up to vote. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink. Meanwhile, old farts like me will always vote every election!! I am going to soak all this in and enjoy every moment of this overwhelming victory. By the way, if you still don’t understand why Jim won, go read Poe’s 901 from today (Friday). If that doesn’t explain it, I can’t help you! Enjoy your weekend, I sure will.
Why, some of you will ask, didn't you vote for a real progressive? And then referred me to the third-place finisher, the County Commissioner who could not even wait to finish ONE YEAR in office before she ran for City Mayor. I would have written in Pamela Moses before I would ever vote for Tami Sawyer, now or in the future.
I have lived in Memphis, Tennessee since June 17, 1972. I have lived under Wyeth Chandler, J, O, Patterson, Wallace Madewell, Dick Hackett, Willie Herenton, Myron Lowery, AC Wharton, and the gentleman who will now serve us through 2023, Jim Strickland.
ONLY ONE MAYOR has used the term Black Lives Matter in the way it was meant to be used, for real and unironically. ONLY ONE MAYOR has attended Pride in Memphis and marched in the parade and hired a LGBTQIA Liaison (by the way, that Liaison does a damn fine job!). ONLY ONE WHITE MAYOR has ever, to my knowledge, been a life member of the NAACP. ONLY ONE MAYOR has, to my knowledge, served as the Chair of the Shelby County Democratic Party.
And that is the fellow who got 62.1% of the vote of the city tonight: JIM STRICKLAND. Do I agree with him on everything? Of course not. When I have disagreed with him in the past (and I used to call him up when he was my Councilman), he would hear me out and then explain why he disagreed. He would not placate me, which is one of the reasons he won four years ago.
Tami Sawyer is still butthurt that she didn't get credit for the statues coming down. I think the voters of the city, if they had ANY question about that, settled that this evening. He had started working on that while he was on the Council, about the time you were bragging about outing one of your teachers at St. Mary's. I don't think you had many LGBTQIA voters left by the time your 6,666 voters were counted. (No, I am not making that up.) That adds up to 6.9%, single digits, as I had forecast some weeks ago.
You know who understands that we still have a long way to go when it comes to income inequality? JIM STRICKLAND. Everything that you claim to want, Commissioner, they have been working on since he took office in 2016. Just what do you think would have happened if you had gotten elected and attempted to do what you said you would do? Look at whom we have in the General Assembly from outside Shelby and Davidson Counties, do you really think they would let you do that? They would be salivating to crush a Mayor who is a woman of color, and by the time you won in the courts your term would be up and people here would be tired of the drama.
You have slandered our Mayor for the last three years, and the voters told you tonight what they think about that. Your base is not North or South Memphis, Frayser or Raleigh, Whitehaven or Hickory Hill. It is the western end of the Poplar Corridor, it's made up of cranky old Midtowners. You got mad about Jackson Baker mentioning that in the Memphis Magazine story, but it is the TRUTH. It is time to pay attention to the people of Commission District 7, Commissioner. Whoever talked you into running against a popular Mayor did you no favors.
Most of all, if you had stuck to your plan of getting elected and then re-elected to the Commission and THEN running for Mayor in 2023, you would have been in a better position to establish yourself legislatively, raise the funding necessary to get elected, and, in all seriousness, had time to clean up your social media. After tonight, who knows? Sure, you say you are going to keep doing what you have been doing, but if only 7% are listening...............
Enough, it is time to address the media coverage, in particular, the Commercial Appeal, who especially on Election Day had Daniel Connolly and Sarah Macaraeg talking to every voter who apparently had decided THAT VERY DAY to vote for the Commissioner. Well, CA, way to play to 7% of the voting populace! That should help with subscriptions! Oy. Jackson Baker GOT IT RIGHT. Otis Sanford GOT IT RIGHT. Bill Dries GOT IT RIGHT. And to be fair, Ryan Poe GOT IT RIGHT in Election Day's 901 column.
I also understand that, especially with the CA, they wanted to portray the race as being closer than it ever really was, in order to get clicks and subscriptions. (NOTE: Until someone local owns the CA, I am not subscribing. I feel bad for the good people who write there, but I cannot subsidize what Gannett and their new partner is doing to the paper and the website, which is, and has been, hideous).
It will be fascinating to see how the Mayor is covered by the CA from this point forward, considering that the Millennials could not be bothered to show up to vote. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink. Meanwhile, old farts like me will always vote every election!! I am going to soak all this in and enjoy every moment of this overwhelming victory. By the way, if you still don’t understand why Jim won, go read Poe’s 901 from today (Friday). If that doesn’t explain it, I can’t help you! Enjoy your weekend, I sure will.
Friday, January 11, 2019
There's a TNDP Chair election tomorrow
As noted earlier, I am supporting Mary Mancini, although I have no vote.
Her opponents are Williamson County Chair Holly McCall and former Lincoln Davis staffer Christopher Hale. I support Mary because she had the guts to shutdown the ineffective SCDP and pave the way for its rebirth, which led to last year's sweep of the County elections. We owe Mary for that.
Having said that, should she not win, I would prefer Holly McCall to Mr. Hale, as the Blue Dog days are dead forever, and despite what people from those days would tell you, that is NOT the only way for the Democrats to prosper in this state.
I note that Ms. McCall has proclaimed endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the House Democratic Caucus, as well as a couple of other groups. I am not sure if the AFL-CIO or Labor still has a vote on the Executive Committee (they SHOULD), but each Caucus, the Tennessee Young Democrats, and the Tennessee Fderation of Democratic Women, each have ONE VOTE tomorrow.
If I remember correct, the number of voters will be 72, which means that the winner needs 37 at a minimum. 66 of these voters were elected by their State Senate Districts to the Executive Committee in last August's primary elections. So, even if you got each of those groups to give you their vote, you would still need 32 members of the Executive Committee to vote for you.
These endorsements imply that there is a groundswell to replace Mary; however, it's the individual relationships between Mary and each elected member that will determine her fate. Each of those groups could rise up as one to say we need change; if the Exec Com backs her tomorrow, it will have all been for nought.
I think Mary has done her best, and sure, there are things that could be better. That said, when you can't have dialogue in rural areas because folks have been poisoned by right-wing media, what would YOU do differently?
Well, time to sit back and see what happens. I will congratulate the winner and console whomever loses and remind them the fight continues to beat the GOP.
UPDATE: WHAT STEVE ROSS SAYS.
Her opponents are Williamson County Chair Holly McCall and former Lincoln Davis staffer Christopher Hale. I support Mary because she had the guts to shutdown the ineffective SCDP and pave the way for its rebirth, which led to last year's sweep of the County elections. We owe Mary for that.
Having said that, should she not win, I would prefer Holly McCall to Mr. Hale, as the Blue Dog days are dead forever, and despite what people from those days would tell you, that is NOT the only way for the Democrats to prosper in this state.
I note that Ms. McCall has proclaimed endorsements from the AFL-CIO, the House Democratic Caucus, as well as a couple of other groups. I am not sure if the AFL-CIO or Labor still has a vote on the Executive Committee (they SHOULD), but each Caucus, the Tennessee Young Democrats, and the Tennessee Fderation of Democratic Women, each have ONE VOTE tomorrow.
If I remember correct, the number of voters will be 72, which means that the winner needs 37 at a minimum. 66 of these voters were elected by their State Senate Districts to the Executive Committee in last August's primary elections. So, even if you got each of those groups to give you their vote, you would still need 32 members of the Executive Committee to vote for you.
These endorsements imply that there is a groundswell to replace Mary; however, it's the individual relationships between Mary and each elected member that will determine her fate. Each of those groups could rise up as one to say we need change; if the Exec Com backs her tomorrow, it will have all been for nought.
I think Mary has done her best, and sure, there are things that could be better. That said, when you can't have dialogue in rural areas because folks have been poisoned by right-wing media, what would YOU do differently?
Well, time to sit back and see what happens. I will congratulate the winner and console whomever loses and remind them the fight continues to beat the GOP.
UPDATE: WHAT STEVE ROSS SAYS.
Wednesday, January 02, 2019
Happy 2019, here is what I am thinking about
First, it is too damned early, unless you are an operative looking for work, to care about 2020, there is too much happening now to worry about that. I don't really want a Democratic nominee over 70, if possible. They will not increase turnout next year. I will support whomever we nominate, because we can't even be sure who the GOP nominee will be. Whomever the nominee is, can we NOT turn them into a Messianic figure, please? THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING PEOPLE TO OFFICE IS SO THEY WILL ENACT THE POLICIES WE WANT. PERIOD.
Thank you.
Moving right along, I believe we will soon see a return to the blogosphere of one Trace Sharp of Nashville, TN, at tracesharp.com. Put her on your RSS feed. It won't be a return to NEWSCOMA, because that is done. What you will get will, as always, be WELL worth your time.
Next, it appears that on January 12, Mary Mancini will seek a third term as TNDP Chair. I don't blame her for Bredesen's loss, you can put that on Bredesen himself, who sucked all the air (and money) out of every other campaign in the state. Phil Bredesen has never gotten anyone elected to office that was not named Phil Bredesen. He needs to go retire and never darken our doors again. It sure isn't 2006 anymore.
Back to this Chair race, which features Mary, Wiilliamson County Chair and longtime operative Holly McCall, and someone named Christopher Hale. Mary has a record, and has flaws like any other living, breathing human, but I have a question for the other candidates: What would YOU do differently? HOW would you do it? HOW do you fight the rampant right-wing media poisoning happening in rural Tennessee (and the US, for that matter) that precludes any type of true dialogue with folks? IF you can make a reasonable case for how to do it (and if you CAN, you ought to be running for DNC Chair, not just TNDP), then I will listen.
I don't have a vote, but if I did, I would vote for Mary. I would do so at the very least for her closure of the inept SCDP and faciliting its rebirth which led to an August sweep last year. We owe her that much in Shelby County.
There are City elections this year, and I tend to believe that the Mayor will be re-elected, barring something unforeseen. (NOTE: time to invoke the Hunter Demster Memorial Disclosure, in which I remind the 8-12 of you who do NOT know that my wife works in the Mayor's Office. Take what ever caveats you need from that.) No, Hunter Demster is not dead, it's just good for people to remember he is there, watching over us all. :)
The Council elections will be a doozy, I am just going to sit back and wait for those. I expect that there are incumbents who MAY not be re-elected, we will just have to wait and see what develops. It should be a booming year for the local popcorn industry, I am just saying.
Speaking of breaking out the popcorn, the Council will once again attempt to fill three seats (that could have been filled in the November general election) next Tuesday, and we will see if they can get 7 votes for anyone in any of these seats. Then they will elect a Chair for 2019; as long as it's not the person in the seat now, I am good. Just saying, and note that these opinions are mine and mine alone, as they have been since 2004.
That's enough for now; the coming return of Ms. Sharp to the interwebs and the continued writing of Mr. Ross at Vibinc has inspired me to start again, I think it's time. See you back here, and sooner than you think!
Thank you.
Moving right along, I believe we will soon see a return to the blogosphere of one Trace Sharp of Nashville, TN, at tracesharp.com. Put her on your RSS feed. It won't be a return to NEWSCOMA, because that is done. What you will get will, as always, be WELL worth your time.
Next, it appears that on January 12, Mary Mancini will seek a third term as TNDP Chair. I don't blame her for Bredesen's loss, you can put that on Bredesen himself, who sucked all the air (and money) out of every other campaign in the state. Phil Bredesen has never gotten anyone elected to office that was not named Phil Bredesen. He needs to go retire and never darken our doors again. It sure isn't 2006 anymore.
Back to this Chair race, which features Mary, Wiilliamson County Chair and longtime operative Holly McCall, and someone named Christopher Hale. Mary has a record, and has flaws like any other living, breathing human, but I have a question for the other candidates: What would YOU do differently? HOW would you do it? HOW do you fight the rampant right-wing media poisoning happening in rural Tennessee (and the US, for that matter) that precludes any type of true dialogue with folks? IF you can make a reasonable case for how to do it (and if you CAN, you ought to be running for DNC Chair, not just TNDP), then I will listen.
I don't have a vote, but if I did, I would vote for Mary. I would do so at the very least for her closure of the inept SCDP and faciliting its rebirth which led to an August sweep last year. We owe her that much in Shelby County.
There are City elections this year, and I tend to believe that the Mayor will be re-elected, barring something unforeseen. (NOTE: time to invoke the Hunter Demster Memorial Disclosure, in which I remind the 8-12 of you who do NOT know that my wife works in the Mayor's Office. Take what ever caveats you need from that.) No, Hunter Demster is not dead, it's just good for people to remember he is there, watching over us all. :)
The Council elections will be a doozy, I am just going to sit back and wait for those. I expect that there are incumbents who MAY not be re-elected, we will just have to wait and see what develops. It should be a booming year for the local popcorn industry, I am just saying.
Speaking of breaking out the popcorn, the Council will once again attempt to fill three seats (that could have been filled in the November general election) next Tuesday, and we will see if they can get 7 votes for anyone in any of these seats. Then they will elect a Chair for 2019; as long as it's not the person in the seat now, I am good. Just saying, and note that these opinions are mine and mine alone, as they have been since 2004.
That's enough for now; the coming return of Ms. Sharp to the interwebs and the continued writing of Mr. Ross at Vibinc has inspired me to start again, I think it's time. See you back here, and sooner than you think!
Monday, October 15, 2018
These recommendations are solidly on point, and I agree with all of them
Every election year, I am fortunate to receive a list of endorsements from my friends Paula Casey and Jocie Wurzburg, along with Dottie Jones, daughter of their late great friend Happy Jones.
Usually, there are a couple of endorsements that I don't agree with, but not this year. I received this earlier, and I found them to be so on point that I asked if I may post them, as I concur with every bit of this, and ask that you consider these before you go vote. By the way, Early Voting starts at ALL SITES this coming Wednesday. Without further ado:
Your vote is critically important. It is not hyperbolic to say we are saving our democracy. Please share this ballot with your friends and family. Encourage everyone you know to vote. -
Jocelyn D. Wurzburg, Paula F. Casey, Dottie Jones
Usually, there are a couple of endorsements that I don't agree with, but not this year. I received this earlier, and I found them to be so on point that I asked if I may post them, as I concur with every bit of this, and ask that you consider these before you go vote. By the way, Early Voting starts at ALL SITES this coming Wednesday. Without further ado:
Dear Friends:
Early voting for this important election begins on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The first thing you need to do is make sure you are registered. It takes 30 seconds with this link:
https://www.vote.org/am-i-
Do this before you go to the polls. If you're not shown as registered and you know you are, call the Election Commission at 222-1200 and ask where is your registration. Be sure to take a photo ID to the polls. PLEASE VOTE EARLY. Early voting locations are at https://www.shelbyvote.com/
Early voting for this important election begins on Wednesday, Oct. 17. The first thing you need to do is make sure you are registered. It takes 30 seconds with this link:
https://www.vote.org/am-i-
Do this before you go to the polls. If you're not shown as registered and you know you are, call the Election Commission at 222-1200 and ask where is your registration. Be sure to take a photo ID to the polls. PLEASE VOTE EARLY. Early voting locations are at https://www.shelbyvote.com/
Also, we are recommending you vote NO on all the ballot referenda which appear at the end of the ballot. Our buddy, Dan Conaway, explains it beautifully in his Daily Memphian column: https://www.dailymemphian.com/
We recommend the following:
We recommend the following:
Governor - Karl Dean is the obvious choice. Medicaid expansion is his top priority and pre-school education. We need someone in the governor's office with governing experience. We need Karl because he understands how to govern. He also believes in separation of church and state unlike his opponent.
U.S. Senator - Phil Bredesen. He is far superior to his GOP opponent who opposes everything we believe in. Phil's opponent believes in snatching small terrified children from their panicking parents., many of whom were seeking asylum. Who believes in that? We don't. Vote for Phil Bredesen.
U.S. House -District 8 - Erika Stotts Pearson. We need to change the House and Erika is a much better candidate than the incumbent.
U.S. House District 9 - Steve Cohen, of course. He always makes us proud.
Following are recommendations for the state legislature. Too many of our current legislators have been supportive of ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) far-right model legislation. We don't want our legislators joining ALEC; we want ALEC's legislative agenda opposed.
TN Senate District 29 - Raumesh Akbari. Raumesh is a star.
TN Senate District 31 - Gabby Salinas. Gabby's healthcare background will be an asset.
TN Senate District 33 - Katrina Robinson. Vote for Katrina and thank her for running since she defeated an anti-choice ALEC-supporting incumbent Democrat.
TN House District 83 - Danielle Schonbaum. She can take Craig Fitzhugh's place as the financial guru in the legislature.
TN House District 84 - Joe Towns, Jr.
TN House District 85 - Jesse Chism
TN House District 86 - Barbara Cooper
TN House District 87 - Karen Camper
TN House District 88 - Larry Miller
TN House District 90 - John DeBerry, Jr. He is unopposed, but we hope his constituents will let him know they are displeased with his conservative votes.
TN House District 91 - London P. Lamar
TN House District 93 - G.A. Hardaway, Jr.
TN House District 95 - Sanjeev Memula
TN House District 96 - Dwayne Thompson - He has done a great job and has been supportive of healthcare expansion.
TN House District 97 - Allan Creasy - We can't say enough about this bright, committed Democratic candidate who would bring youth and energy to the legislature.
TN House District 98 - Antonio Parkinson
TN House District 99 - David Cambron - We love Dave Cambron and everything he has done for progressive causes.
Jocelyn D. Wurzburg, Paula F. Casey, Dottie Jones
Wednesday, August 01, 2018
Democratic Candidates, can you help me out here?
Could you list, in the comments, where your victory parties will be tomorrow night?
I know that LEE HARRIS FOR COUNTY MAYOR will be meeting at The Columns at One Commerce Square, located at 1 South Main downtown.
Other campaigns, can you please note in the comments? thanks!
I know that LEE HARRIS FOR COUNTY MAYOR will be meeting at The Columns at One Commerce Square, located at 1 South Main downtown.
Other campaigns, can you please note in the comments? thanks!
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
For the State House in the Democratic Primary
I am only looking at the contested primary races here.
State House - District 85 - Ricky Dixon The veteran activist and brother of former State Senator Roscoe Dixon has the most experience in service of the candidates seeking to replace the retiring Johnnie Tuner and has my support.
State House - District 86 - I am torn. Barbara Cooper has represented the downtown and South Memphis areas for years and has done a pretty good job. that said, newcomers like Amber Huett Garcia have given energy and fire to the SCDP that it has desperately needed. I am truly torn in this race and believe either would be a good choice.
State House - District 90 - Torrey Harris Just as I supported Tami Sawyer's insurgent campaign two years ago, now I support Torrey Harris in his primary challenge of John Deberry, a Democrat in Name Only these days. Harris has worked his butt off and will be a terrific state representative, so let's give him that chance.
State House - District 91 - London Lamar I can't pretend that I am impartial here, having watched her come up through the ranks of the SCYDs to lead it and then the TYDs, having watched her work for various campaigns. Now, it is her time, and I believe she is worthy of the support of District 91.
Oh, and I forgot the City Council SuperDistrict 9 race.
I voted for GIRLS INC. Chair Lisa Moore to get the full time slot to replace Philip Spinosa. I am sure Ford Canale is a decent enough guy, but I don't really know him well enough to give him that seat. Just my .02.
That is it until the fall, people, thank you as always for asking me for these, I am flattered that you think that much of them. Keep reading!
State House - District 85 - Ricky Dixon The veteran activist and brother of former State Senator Roscoe Dixon has the most experience in service of the candidates seeking to replace the retiring Johnnie Tuner and has my support.
State House - District 86 - I am torn. Barbara Cooper has represented the downtown and South Memphis areas for years and has done a pretty good job. that said, newcomers like Amber Huett Garcia have given energy and fire to the SCDP that it has desperately needed. I am truly torn in this race and believe either would be a good choice.
State House - District 90 - Torrey Harris Just as I supported Tami Sawyer's insurgent campaign two years ago, now I support Torrey Harris in his primary challenge of John Deberry, a Democrat in Name Only these days. Harris has worked his butt off and will be a terrific state representative, so let's give him that chance.
State House - District 91 - London Lamar I can't pretend that I am impartial here, having watched her come up through the ranks of the SCYDs to lead it and then the TYDs, having watched her work for various campaigns. Now, it is her time, and I believe she is worthy of the support of District 91.
Oh, and I forgot the City Council SuperDistrict 9 race.
I voted for GIRLS INC. Chair Lisa Moore to get the full time slot to replace Philip Spinosa. I am sure Ford Canale is a decent enough guy, but I don't really know him well enough to give him that seat. Just my .02.
That is it until the fall, people, thank you as always for asking me for these, I am flattered that you think that much of them. Keep reading!
And now for the Democratic Primary at least through the State Senate
US Senate - Phil Bredesen You have no idea how weird it is for me to write those words, but I do, because he is going to kick Marhsa Blackburn's ass back to Brentwood this November, and it won't be close. I will even put up a sign for him, causing long-time readers (and possibly me as well) to faint at the prospect.
Like I said, we are in triage, people. I digress.
Governor - Craig Fitzhugh The outgoing House Democratic Leader, from nearby Ripley, is the BEST chance that we have to beat whichever one of the horrible GOP Candidates that wins their primary. Simply put, the last time we as Tennesseans had a candidate for this office who knew state government this well, it was 1986 and his name was Ned McWherter. I do not throw that name around lightly; few Governors made this government work as well as Ned, and Craig Fitzhugh can do that.
What's more, Craig Fitzhugh can do something his opponent, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, can't: he can go into rural areas and get them to vote for Democrats at every level. If we can't flip rural seats in the legislature, folks, we are doomed as a Party in Tennessee. Outside of Davidson County, no one cares about Nashville, and I can say that as a Memphian, because the rural folks don't like us either.
But Craig Fitzhugh, who lives 50 miles from here, DOES. If you want to save our Party and get the best Governor we have had since McWherter, vote for Craig Fitzhugh.
Congressman - 9th District - Steve Cohen He has done a great job for us for these dozen years, and who would not want to see him preside over impeachment trials? What else is there to say except KEEP GOIN WITH COHEN!
State Senate - District 29 - Raumesh Akbari. The outgoing Representative from District 91 looks to step up to replace soon-to-be County Mayor Lee Harris in the District along the Big Muddy, which also includes Cooper-Young. She is beloved by pretty much anyone who has the fortune to know her or be represented by her.
State Senate - District 31 - Gabby Salinas We have two fine candidates in the race to defenestrate current incumbent Brian Kelsey, who isn't even like by his own party that much these days. In addition to Gabby, David Weatherspoon, a chaplain at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, also seeks the nomination and is a good guy who would be better than Kelsey.
However, the amazing story of Gabby Salinas is the story of a 3-time cancer survivor who came to Memphis to beat cancer at St. Jude, where she eventually went to work and became a scientist. Along the way she survived a horrible car accident that killed two members of her family and crippled her mother. However, she and her family have fought through these problems like warriors, watching with pride as she worked on her Ph.D and helped in Democratic campaigns. Gabby Salinas is the best choice to beat Brian Kelsey, and I ask you to vote for her for Senator.
State Senate - District 33 - Katrina Robinson This nurse, educator and single mother of two is a powerhouse who believes in Democratic values, which is more than I can say for the incumbent she wants to knock off, Reggie Tate. Look, Reggie is a nice fellow but he has taken ALEC money and has been a weak Senator. Robinson shares our Democratic values and is the best choice for this race,
Like I said, we are in triage, people. I digress.
Governor - Craig Fitzhugh The outgoing House Democratic Leader, from nearby Ripley, is the BEST chance that we have to beat whichever one of the horrible GOP Candidates that wins their primary. Simply put, the last time we as Tennesseans had a candidate for this office who knew state government this well, it was 1986 and his name was Ned McWherter. I do not throw that name around lightly; few Governors made this government work as well as Ned, and Craig Fitzhugh can do that.
What's more, Craig Fitzhugh can do something his opponent, former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, can't: he can go into rural areas and get them to vote for Democrats at every level. If we can't flip rural seats in the legislature, folks, we are doomed as a Party in Tennessee. Outside of Davidson County, no one cares about Nashville, and I can say that as a Memphian, because the rural folks don't like us either.
But Craig Fitzhugh, who lives 50 miles from here, DOES. If you want to save our Party and get the best Governor we have had since McWherter, vote for Craig Fitzhugh.
Congressman - 9th District - Steve Cohen He has done a great job for us for these dozen years, and who would not want to see him preside over impeachment trials? What else is there to say except KEEP GOIN WITH COHEN!
State Senate - District 29 - Raumesh Akbari. The outgoing Representative from District 91 looks to step up to replace soon-to-be County Mayor Lee Harris in the District along the Big Muddy, which also includes Cooper-Young. She is beloved by pretty much anyone who has the fortune to know her or be represented by her.
State Senate - District 31 - Gabby Salinas We have two fine candidates in the race to defenestrate current incumbent Brian Kelsey, who isn't even like by his own party that much these days. In addition to Gabby, David Weatherspoon, a chaplain at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, also seeks the nomination and is a good guy who would be better than Kelsey.
However, the amazing story of Gabby Salinas is the story of a 3-time cancer survivor who came to Memphis to beat cancer at St. Jude, where she eventually went to work and became a scientist. Along the way she survived a horrible car accident that killed two members of her family and crippled her mother. However, she and her family have fought through these problems like warriors, watching with pride as she worked on her Ph.D and helped in Democratic campaigns. Gabby Salinas is the best choice to beat Brian Kelsey, and I ask you to vote for her for Senator.
State Senate - District 33 - Katrina Robinson This nurse, educator and single mother of two is a powerhouse who believes in Democratic values, which is more than I can say for the incumbent she wants to knock off, Reggie Tate. Look, Reggie is a nice fellow but he has taken ALEC money and has been a weak Senator. Robinson shares our Democratic values and is the best choice for this race,
For the rest of the County races
For Sheriff, Floyd Bonner has a sparking 34-year career, serving now as the Chief Deputy to Sheriff Bill Oldham, a Republican who endorsed this Democrat rather than the GOP nominee, Dale Lane. Bonner is a clear choice.
Regina Morrison Newman wants the job she once held as County Trustee, and she did a great job at it which is why we need her now to go do any cleanup needed after David Lenoir leaves. She was recognized for her great work in 2010 after she succeeded the late Paul Mattila.
Temilka Gipson was endorsed by the CA for Circuit Court Clerk, and we agree that she would be a great fit for the job, with over 25 years experience in clerk offices in this county.
Heidi Kuhn is the best candidate for Criminal Court Clerk as she has worked in County Government for 17 years, most of which is in the Criminal Justice field. She believes in working with the Expungement movement, which incumbent Richard DeSaussure cares nothing about. Heidi represents our values and DeSaussure, well.........
Bill Morrison wants to be your next Probate Court Clerk, and I want him there too, so please vote for him. We need Democrats across the board, people.
My friend Wanda Halbert is clearly the best choice to succeed Wayne Mashburn as County Clerk. People don't realize that, in addition to serving her community on the MCS Board and the Coty Council, she has years of corporate experience as an administrative professional at FedEx for many years. She knows how to run an office and run it efficiently. That is why you should vote for her.
If there is anyone I forgot, go look at Ross's post.
There are 3 judicial races also.
For Circuit Court, Division IX, I support Yolanda Kight.
For Circuit Court, Division X, I support Jennifer Johnson Mitchell over current incumbent and former prosecutor Jennifer Nichols. Too damned many former prosecutors on the bench these days, Lee Coffee excluded.
And for me, the most important is for Environmental Court Division 14, where Judge Patrick Dandridge, who was recently appointed to succeed his mentor, retired EC Judge Larry Potter, is the clear choice. He was Judge Potter's right hand for many years, and a terrific public servant. Please vote to re-elect Patrick Dandridge.
Regina Morrison Newman wants the job she once held as County Trustee, and she did a great job at it which is why we need her now to go do any cleanup needed after David Lenoir leaves. She was recognized for her great work in 2010 after she succeeded the late Paul Mattila.
Temilka Gipson was endorsed by the CA for Circuit Court Clerk, and we agree that she would be a great fit for the job, with over 25 years experience in clerk offices in this county.
Heidi Kuhn is the best candidate for Criminal Court Clerk as she has worked in County Government for 17 years, most of which is in the Criminal Justice field. She believes in working with the Expungement movement, which incumbent Richard DeSaussure cares nothing about. Heidi represents our values and DeSaussure, well.........
Bill Morrison wants to be your next Probate Court Clerk, and I want him there too, so please vote for him. We need Democrats across the board, people.
My friend Wanda Halbert is clearly the best choice to succeed Wayne Mashburn as County Clerk. People don't realize that, in addition to serving her community on the MCS Board and the Coty Council, she has years of corporate experience as an administrative professional at FedEx for many years. She knows how to run an office and run it efficiently. That is why you should vote for her.
If there is anyone I forgot, go look at Ross's post.
There are 3 judicial races also.
For Circuit Court, Division IX, I support Yolanda Kight.
For Circuit Court, Division X, I support Jennifer Johnson Mitchell over current incumbent and former prosecutor Jennifer Nichols. Too damned many former prosecutors on the bench these days, Lee Coffee excluded.
And for me, the most important is for Environmental Court Division 14, where Judge Patrick Dandridge, who was recently appointed to succeed his mentor, retired EC Judge Larry Potter, is the clear choice. He was Judge Potter's right hand for many years, and a terrific public servant. Please vote to re-elect Patrick Dandridge.
Alright aready, it's time for the picks for Mayor and the Commission
if you couldn't wait, you could have gone straight to Steve Ross and gotten almost everything I am going to give you,
He is right that this is the best Democratic countywide lineup and, while there may be one I didn't go with, I am NOT telling you which one it was in the sake of unity.
We will start straight up with the head of the ticket, LEE HARRIS for County Mayor. He has a clear understanding of what the county needs and unlike the GOP Nominee, David Lenoir, he KNOWS that, population-wise, Memphis IS Shelby County, comprising 2/3 of its population. He understands that the problems of poverty are NOT character-related but RESOURCE-related, and intends to do something about it. Lenoir, on the other hand, keeps making dog-whistle noises to the SC residents outside the city limits, suggesting that he will direct as little as possible to those LAZY (INSERT SLUR HERE) who live in MEMPHIS.
Now, the new County Mayor (hopefully, LEE HARRIS) is going to need a County Commission that will work with him to achieve his goals. This is why I implore you to vote for the Democratic nominee in EVERY DISTRICT. Even 7, people, but more on that in a minute.
Our Nominees are as follows:
District 1- Racquel Collins
District 2- Tom Carpenter
District 3 - Monica Timmerman
District 4 - Kevin Haley
District 5 - Michael Whaley
District 6 - Willie Brooks (unopposed)
District 7 - Tami Sawyer
District 8 -Mickell Lowery (unopposed)
District 9 - Ed Ford Jr.
District 10, my friend and Commissioner Reginald Milton
District 11, Eddie Jones
District 12, one of the true heroes of statue removal, Van Turner
District 13, George Monger.
Before we move further, I need to say something about Tami Sawyer. Ross gave her a glowing tribute, much of which I agree with, but it needs to be said that while the protestors helped bring new people into the statue removal movement that she named #TakeEmDown901, This had been in the works since January 1, 2016. That is also the day Jim Strickland took office.
(NOTE: Our pal Hunter Demster seems to be of the opinion that none of you loyal readers are aware that since April of 2016, my lovely wife Susan has worked on the 7th Floor for Alan Crone, Dabney Ring, Ursula Madden, and oh yes, Jim Strickland. Take any caveats from that you need to take.)
The insane law that the Mayor's legal team had to work around were passed in response to an ordinance that then-Councilor Strickland voted FOR to remove the statues. Our Mayor had to keep a low profile and keep the statues up UNTIL THEY COULD DO IT LEGALLY. If those protestors had managed to take down Forrest too soon, they, and you and me, all taxpayers of this city would have been forced to pay for putting them back UP. So, this bullshit (and it truly is) that our Mayor wouldn't have moved without the protests is simply wrong.
Frankly, I am not thrilled that Tami and the protestors acted like the Mayor was the enemy, when his team were the only people in town who could get the damned things down FOR GOOD, which he did.
Having said all that, I supported Tami 2 years ago when she ran against John Deberry in District 90, and I wouldn't have changed that for anything. She can be a bulldog, and we are going to need her to do that on the Commission, either working for Lee Harris or being the biggest PITA possible in the unfortunate event David Lenoir is elected. We are in triage, people, at every level, and we need all hands on deck.
Now, some day, Mr. Mayor, we need to see a damn BOOK from you about how all this went down. Tell your story, because it is not mine to tell.
So, enough on that.
He is right that this is the best Democratic countywide lineup and, while there may be one I didn't go with, I am NOT telling you which one it was in the sake of unity.
We will start straight up with the head of the ticket, LEE HARRIS for County Mayor. He has a clear understanding of what the county needs and unlike the GOP Nominee, David Lenoir, he KNOWS that, population-wise, Memphis IS Shelby County, comprising 2/3 of its population. He understands that the problems of poverty are NOT character-related but RESOURCE-related, and intends to do something about it. Lenoir, on the other hand, keeps making dog-whistle noises to the SC residents outside the city limits, suggesting that he will direct as little as possible to those LAZY (INSERT SLUR HERE) who live in MEMPHIS.
Now, the new County Mayor (hopefully, LEE HARRIS) is going to need a County Commission that will work with him to achieve his goals. This is why I implore you to vote for the Democratic nominee in EVERY DISTRICT. Even 7, people, but more on that in a minute.
Our Nominees are as follows:
District 1- Racquel Collins
District 2- Tom Carpenter
District 3 - Monica Timmerman
District 4 - Kevin Haley
District 5 - Michael Whaley
District 6 - Willie Brooks (unopposed)
District 7 - Tami Sawyer
District 8 -Mickell Lowery (unopposed)
District 9 - Ed Ford Jr.
District 10, my friend and Commissioner Reginald Milton
District 11, Eddie Jones
District 12, one of the true heroes of statue removal, Van Turner
District 13, George Monger.
Before we move further, I need to say something about Tami Sawyer. Ross gave her a glowing tribute, much of which I agree with, but it needs to be said that while the protestors helped bring new people into the statue removal movement that she named #TakeEmDown901, This had been in the works since January 1, 2016. That is also the day Jim Strickland took office.
(NOTE: Our pal Hunter Demster seems to be of the opinion that none of you loyal readers are aware that since April of 2016, my lovely wife Susan has worked on the 7th Floor for Alan Crone, Dabney Ring, Ursula Madden, and oh yes, Jim Strickland. Take any caveats from that you need to take.)
The insane law that the Mayor's legal team had to work around were passed in response to an ordinance that then-Councilor Strickland voted FOR to remove the statues. Our Mayor had to keep a low profile and keep the statues up UNTIL THEY COULD DO IT LEGALLY. If those protestors had managed to take down Forrest too soon, they, and you and me, all taxpayers of this city would have been forced to pay for putting them back UP. So, this bullshit (and it truly is) that our Mayor wouldn't have moved without the protests is simply wrong.
Frankly, I am not thrilled that Tami and the protestors acted like the Mayor was the enemy, when his team were the only people in town who could get the damned things down FOR GOOD, which he did.
Having said all that, I supported Tami 2 years ago when she ran against John Deberry in District 90, and I wouldn't have changed that for anything. She can be a bulldog, and we are going to need her to do that on the Commission, either working for Lee Harris or being the biggest PITA possible in the unfortunate event David Lenoir is elected. We are in triage, people, at every level, and we need all hands on deck.
Now, some day, Mr. Mayor, we need to see a damn BOOK from you about how all this went down. Tell your story, because it is not mine to tell.
So, enough on that.
Tuesday, May 01, 2018
Since you asked.... REMINDER, VOTE TODAY IF YOU DID NOT VOTE EARLY
Early Voting starts on Wednesday, April 11 for the Democratic and GOP Primaries for the August general election. Early voting locations and times can be found here.
As far as the County Commission races go, I vote in District 10, and my friend and incumbent Commissioner Reginald Milton is unopposed in the Primary, although he has a Terry Roland-supporting independent (who tried to run as a Democrat at first) in August. It goes without saying that I support him.
As for the Countywide races, let's take them one at a time.
COUNTY MAYOR - This pits former County Commissioner, State Senator and SCDP Chair Sidney Chism against outgoing State Senator and former City Councilor Lee Harris. While Chism has been around for years and has worked in County Government as a Commissioner and in the Sheriff's Department, if we are going to go for new blood in Democratic politics, Harris is the guy. I believe that Lee Harris has the best chance to elect a Democratic County Mayor this year, and I am supporting him. This is especially true if Terry Roland surprises everyone (but me) and wins the GOP Primary for Mayor. I just don't believe that Chism can get crossover votes, and Harris can, while turning out our base in August.
ASSESSOR OF PROPERTY - Sadly, Cheyenne Johnson is term-limited out and cannot succeed herself. That leaves outgoing County Commissioner Melvin Burgess and Lorie Ingram, who challenged Ms. Johnson in the primary 4 years ago, IIRC. While Ms. Ingram has worked in that office (I do not know if she still does), Commissioner Burgess has (as I have been told privately) people from that office helping him to prepare for the job. I think Melvin Burgess gives Democrats the best chance to win this office, so I am voting for him.
COUNTY TRUSTEE - This is an open seat, and three Democrats are seeking the office: Derrick Bennett, who has run before unsuccessfully, former MLGW executive Joseph Lee III and former Trustee Regina Morrison Newman, who was named in 2009 to succeed the late Paul Mattila. She lost her bid for re-election in 2010 to current, outgoing Trustee David Lenoir. Newman has actual time in the job and has received awards for her work as Trustee, and I believe she is the best candidate not only to turn out votes in August but to flip some GOP votes. I am voting for Regina Morrison Newman.
SHERIFF - We have two Sheriff's Department veterans in this race, retired Deputy Bennie Cobb (our 2014 nominee) and current Chief Deputy Floyd Bonner, who has been endorsed by his outgoing boss, Sheriff Bill Oldham, a Republican. They both make strong cases for themselves, but Bonner has 37 years in the department and the chance to flip GOP votes. I am supporting Floyd Bonner.
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK - The race to succeed outgoing Clerk Jimmy Moore is between veteran Democratic activist (and former General Sessions Court Deputy Clerk) Del Gill and Temiika Gipson, who is a 25 year veteran of county offices such as General Sessions Civil Court Clerk's office and currently working in the Criminal Court Clerk's office as a Court Coordinator. I am voting for Temiika Gipson, as it is time for younger candidates to step up here.
CRIMINAL COURT CLERK- Vying for the Democratic nod against GOP incumbent Richard DeSaussure are Carla Stotts Hills, Heidi Kuhn and Amanda Scott Hill. Heidi Kuhn has over twenty years experience in County Government, working for the Commission and currently working in the Sheriff's Department. She is a seasoned candidate and someone that I believe gives us the best chance to unseat DeSaussure. I support Heidi Kuhn for Criminal Court Clerk.
JUVENILE COURT CLERK. The three candidates on the Democratic side are Harold C. Smith, of whom I know very little, Morrie E. "Jimmy" Noel, of whom I know even less, and veteran City Councilor and legendary radio star Janis Fullilove. Councilor Fullilove has been through a lot during her Council years, overcoming a very deep illness to return to her seat. She clearly is the biggest draw here, and while I have concerns about her health, she remains the best candidate of the three and I will vote for Janis Fullilove for JV Court Clerk.
PROBATE COURT CLERK - outgoing City Councilor Bill Morrison is unopposed in the Primary and I will support him now and in August.
COUNTY CLERK - This is very tough for me. The three Democratic candidates are former MCS Board Member and District 4 City Councilor Wanda Halbert, Jamal Whitlow, who is a former employee of the County Clerk's office and current job Developer for the Workforce Investment Network, and Mondell B. Williams. Wanda Halbert has given more than just the 15 years of representative service in government to her community, she is loved and respected throughout this city. However, Whitlow is part of the up and coming group of new candidates bringing new vitality to the Shelby County Democratic scene. I have ALWAYS voted for Wanda Halbert when I had the opportunity, but Jamal Whitlow has made me look at this race carefully and differently. In the toughest call I have had to make this year, I am going to vote for Jamal Whitlow for County Clerk in the Primary.
REGISTER OF DEEDS - This seat is being vacated by Republican vet Tom Leatherwood, and the Democratic race is between Shelandra Ford, a 20 year veteran of County Government, and Democratic activist Adrienne Pakis-Gillon, who last ran in 2014 against State Senator Brian Kelsey. Ok, I am all in for Adrienne, whom I have known for many years and for whom I have knocked on doors in Cordova in her last race. I confess I do not know Ms. Ford, and I have linked to both of them, but I am voting for Adrienne Pakis-Gillon.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 13. Now, I don't have a vote here, but if I did it would be for George Monger over Charlie Belenky. Monger was one of the youngest ever to run for City Council back in 2007 at the age of 18. He has worked in the music business in many area, most notably for David Porter at MMT Consortium. However, it is his work as a Shelby County Election Commissioner (he was the youngest in history when named in 2011) and served two exciting years involved on the Technology and Operations Committee. I am still not pleased that he was not renamed two years later. I think he has an excellent chance to unseat incumbent Republican Steve Basar (if his primary opponent Brandon Morrison doesn't do it first). I highly encourage you to vote for George Monger in District 13.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 7 - Nope, not going there, no recommendations, I don't have a vote there and I am staying out of it completely. Your call.
The following seats only have one Democratic candidate, but vote for them any way if you live in these Districts:
DISTRICT 1 - J. Racquel Collins
DISTRICT 2 - Tom Carpenter
DISTRICT 3 - Monica Timmerman
DISTRICT 4- Kevin Haley
DISTRICT 6 - Incumbent Commissioner Willie Brooks
DISTRICT 12 - Incumbent Commissioner Van Turner
Now, back to the contested CC races (other than 7, anyway):
DISTRICT 5 - This race is between Democratic activist and unsuccessful HD 83 Candidate in 2016 Lawrence Pivnick and newcomer Michael Whaley, who has worked in education for many years. In keeping with the NEW BLOOD theme here, I am supporting Michael Whaley for this race.
DISTRICT 8 This race has former interim Commissioner Edith Ann Moore, Daryl L. Lewis (he has his platform here), newcomer JB Smiley and FedEx sales manager Mickell Lowery, who lost a tight City Council race to Martavious Jones in 2015. This may be the best race of all of them, and I really like what I am hearing about Smiley, but if I had a vote, it would go to Mickell Lowery, who has the skills to do a great job on the Commission and he gets my recommendation.
DISTRICT 9 -
Edmund Ford, Jr.
Ian Jeffries
Pamela Williams Kelly
Adrian Killebrew
Jonathan M. Lewis
Roz Nichols
Jonathan Lang Smith
are the candidates to succeed Justin Ford here, and I confess to only being familiar with Councilor Ford, Reverend Nichols and Jonathan Lewis. As longtime readers of this blog know, Councilor Ford has been a favorite of mine for his years on the Council. He has done great work on the Budget Committee and is a seasoned legislator.
All that said, I was downright pissed off when he convinced his fellow councilors to un-do the stated will of the people when our citizens approved Ranked Choice Voting years ago, and put a referendum on the city ballot to reverse their earlier decision. This action suggests that citizens are not bright enough to figure out how this works when it has been successfully used in other locales. They were bright enough to elect you TWICE, weren't they? For this reason, I do NOT recommend him for a seat on the County Commission; my recommendation goes to Reverend Roz Nichols, who will bring a new voice to the seat.
DISTRICT 11 - No recommendation.
Ok, look at them, make up your minds and MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!!!
As far as the County Commission races go, I vote in District 10, and my friend and incumbent Commissioner Reginald Milton is unopposed in the Primary, although he has a Terry Roland-supporting independent (who tried to run as a Democrat at first) in August. It goes without saying that I support him.
As for the Countywide races, let's take them one at a time.
COUNTY MAYOR - This pits former County Commissioner, State Senator and SCDP Chair Sidney Chism against outgoing State Senator and former City Councilor Lee Harris. While Chism has been around for years and has worked in County Government as a Commissioner and in the Sheriff's Department, if we are going to go for new blood in Democratic politics, Harris is the guy. I believe that Lee Harris has the best chance to elect a Democratic County Mayor this year, and I am supporting him. This is especially true if Terry Roland surprises everyone (but me) and wins the GOP Primary for Mayor. I just don't believe that Chism can get crossover votes, and Harris can, while turning out our base in August.
ASSESSOR OF PROPERTY - Sadly, Cheyenne Johnson is term-limited out and cannot succeed herself. That leaves outgoing County Commissioner Melvin Burgess and Lorie Ingram, who challenged Ms. Johnson in the primary 4 years ago, IIRC. While Ms. Ingram has worked in that office (I do not know if she still does), Commissioner Burgess has (as I have been told privately) people from that office helping him to prepare for the job. I think Melvin Burgess gives Democrats the best chance to win this office, so I am voting for him.
COUNTY TRUSTEE - This is an open seat, and three Democrats are seeking the office: Derrick Bennett, who has run before unsuccessfully, former MLGW executive Joseph Lee III and former Trustee Regina Morrison Newman, who was named in 2009 to succeed the late Paul Mattila. She lost her bid for re-election in 2010 to current, outgoing Trustee David Lenoir. Newman has actual time in the job and has received awards for her work as Trustee, and I believe she is the best candidate not only to turn out votes in August but to flip some GOP votes. I am voting for Regina Morrison Newman.
SHERIFF - We have two Sheriff's Department veterans in this race, retired Deputy Bennie Cobb (our 2014 nominee) and current Chief Deputy Floyd Bonner, who has been endorsed by his outgoing boss, Sheriff Bill Oldham, a Republican. They both make strong cases for themselves, but Bonner has 37 years in the department and the chance to flip GOP votes. I am supporting Floyd Bonner.
CIRCUIT COURT CLERK - The race to succeed outgoing Clerk Jimmy Moore is between veteran Democratic activist (and former General Sessions Court Deputy Clerk) Del Gill and Temiika Gipson, who is a 25 year veteran of county offices such as General Sessions Civil Court Clerk's office and currently working in the Criminal Court Clerk's office as a Court Coordinator. I am voting for Temiika Gipson, as it is time for younger candidates to step up here.
CRIMINAL COURT CLERK- Vying for the Democratic nod against GOP incumbent Richard DeSaussure are Carla Stotts Hills, Heidi Kuhn and Amanda Scott Hill. Heidi Kuhn has over twenty years experience in County Government, working for the Commission and currently working in the Sheriff's Department. She is a seasoned candidate and someone that I believe gives us the best chance to unseat DeSaussure. I support Heidi Kuhn for Criminal Court Clerk.
JUVENILE COURT CLERK. The three candidates on the Democratic side are Harold C. Smith, of whom I know very little, Morrie E. "Jimmy" Noel, of whom I know even less, and veteran City Councilor and legendary radio star Janis Fullilove. Councilor Fullilove has been through a lot during her Council years, overcoming a very deep illness to return to her seat. She clearly is the biggest draw here, and while I have concerns about her health, she remains the best candidate of the three and I will vote for Janis Fullilove for JV Court Clerk.
PROBATE COURT CLERK - outgoing City Councilor Bill Morrison is unopposed in the Primary and I will support him now and in August.
COUNTY CLERK - This is very tough for me. The three Democratic candidates are former MCS Board Member and District 4 City Councilor Wanda Halbert, Jamal Whitlow, who is a former employee of the County Clerk's office and current job Developer for the Workforce Investment Network, and Mondell B. Williams. Wanda Halbert has given more than just the 15 years of representative service in government to her community, she is loved and respected throughout this city. However, Whitlow is part of the up and coming group of new candidates bringing new vitality to the Shelby County Democratic scene. I have ALWAYS voted for Wanda Halbert when I had the opportunity, but Jamal Whitlow has made me look at this race carefully and differently. In the toughest call I have had to make this year, I am going to vote for Jamal Whitlow for County Clerk in the Primary.
REGISTER OF DEEDS - This seat is being vacated by Republican vet Tom Leatherwood, and the Democratic race is between Shelandra Ford, a 20 year veteran of County Government, and Democratic activist Adrienne Pakis-Gillon, who last ran in 2014 against State Senator Brian Kelsey. Ok, I am all in for Adrienne, whom I have known for many years and for whom I have knocked on doors in Cordova in her last race. I confess I do not know Ms. Ford, and I have linked to both of them, but I am voting for Adrienne Pakis-Gillon.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 13. Now, I don't have a vote here, but if I did it would be for George Monger over Charlie Belenky. Monger was one of the youngest ever to run for City Council back in 2007 at the age of 18. He has worked in the music business in many area, most notably for David Porter at MMT Consortium. However, it is his work as a Shelby County Election Commissioner (he was the youngest in history when named in 2011) and served two exciting years involved on the Technology and Operations Committee. I am still not pleased that he was not renamed two years later. I think he has an excellent chance to unseat incumbent Republican Steve Basar (if his primary opponent Brandon Morrison doesn't do it first). I highly encourage you to vote for George Monger in District 13.
COUNTY COMMISSION DISTRICT 7 - Nope, not going there, no recommendations, I don't have a vote there and I am staying out of it completely. Your call.
The following seats only have one Democratic candidate, but vote for them any way if you live in these Districts:
DISTRICT 1 - J. Racquel Collins
DISTRICT 2 - Tom Carpenter
DISTRICT 3 - Monica Timmerman
DISTRICT 4- Kevin Haley
DISTRICT 6 - Incumbent Commissioner Willie Brooks
DISTRICT 12 - Incumbent Commissioner Van Turner
Now, back to the contested CC races (other than 7, anyway):
DISTRICT 5 - This race is between Democratic activist and unsuccessful HD 83 Candidate in 2016 Lawrence Pivnick and newcomer Michael Whaley, who has worked in education for many years. In keeping with the NEW BLOOD theme here, I am supporting Michael Whaley for this race.
DISTRICT 8 This race has former interim Commissioner Edith Ann Moore, Daryl L. Lewis (he has his platform here), newcomer JB Smiley and FedEx sales manager Mickell Lowery, who lost a tight City Council race to Martavious Jones in 2015. This may be the best race of all of them, and I really like what I am hearing about Smiley, but if I had a vote, it would go to Mickell Lowery, who has the skills to do a great job on the Commission and he gets my recommendation.
DISTRICT 9 -
Edmund Ford, Jr.
Ian Jeffries
Pamela Williams Kelly
Adrian Killebrew
Jonathan M. Lewis
Roz Nichols
Jonathan Lang Smith
are the candidates to succeed Justin Ford here, and I confess to only being familiar with Councilor Ford, Reverend Nichols and Jonathan Lewis. As longtime readers of this blog know, Councilor Ford has been a favorite of mine for his years on the Council. He has done great work on the Budget Committee and is a seasoned legislator.
All that said, I was downright pissed off when he convinced his fellow councilors to un-do the stated will of the people when our citizens approved Ranked Choice Voting years ago, and put a referendum on the city ballot to reverse their earlier decision. This action suggests that citizens are not bright enough to figure out how this works when it has been successfully used in other locales. They were bright enough to elect you TWICE, weren't they? For this reason, I do NOT recommend him for a seat on the County Commission; my recommendation goes to Reverend Roz Nichols, who will bring a new voice to the seat.
DISTRICT 11 - No recommendation.
Ok, look at them, make up your minds and MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Hey Memphis! Want to meet your next Governor?
And it's not any of those schmucks you see on LOCAL 24 tonight, I am talking about the real deal, House Democratic Leader Craig Fitzhugh!
Craig is opening his Memphis Headquarters this Saturday, April 21, at 2 PM at 2881 Poplar Avenue, at the corner of Poplar and Humes in fabulous Humes Heights! (yes, it's fabulous because I live there, why do you ask?)
Craig posted the following at the event page:
Thanks to the support of folks like you, we've expanded our operation and opened a new headquarters in Memphis! We'd love to see you there.
I want to see you there too! Come on out and meet this great leader, who has done his best to help our city during his years in the Legislature!
Craig is opening his Memphis Headquarters this Saturday, April 21, at 2 PM at 2881 Poplar Avenue, at the corner of Poplar and Humes in fabulous Humes Heights! (yes, it's fabulous because I live there, why do you ask?)
Craig posted the following at the event page:
Thanks to the support of folks like you, we've expanded our operation and opened a new headquarters in Memphis! We'd love to see you there.
I want to see you there too! Come on out and meet this great leader, who has done his best to help our city during his years in the Legislature!
Thursday, March 22, 2018
You may want to attend the Germantown Democratic Club meeting on March 28
I like to believe that our readership is a pretty savvy bunch, or why else would you be here? :)
This is to remind you that we have a County Primary on May 1 (Early Voting to start on April 11) to determined our Democratic candidates for the August County General Election. There are several races on the ballot that are contested, and the list can be found here (scroll down for the Democratic primary candidates).
Now, if you are unsure for whom you will vote in the primary, or even wondering who some of these folks are, then you need to come to the Germantown Democratic Club meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 6 P.M. at Coletta's on Appling, which is just south of Stage Road. Here's more information:
This is to remind you that we have a County Primary on May 1 (Early Voting to start on April 11) to determined our Democratic candidates for the August County General Election. There are several races on the ballot that are contested, and the list can be found here (scroll down for the Democratic primary candidates).
Now, if you are unsure for whom you will vote in the primary, or even wondering who some of these folks are, then you need to come to the Germantown Democratic Club meeting on Wednesday, March 28 at 6 P.M. at Coletta's on Appling, which is just south of Stage Road. Here's more information:
Germantown Democratic Club Meeting
Wednesday, March 28, 2018 – 6:00 PM
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Democratic candidates for local races in Shelby County who will be appearing on the May primary ballot will be invited to speak a few minutes and mingle with guests before and after the meeting.
All regular meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of the month at Coletta’s Restaurant, 2850 Appling Rd, Bartlett (just south of Stage & Appling). Dinner starts at 6:00 pm, meeting starts at 6:30 pm. We will be ordering from the menu, with individual checks. Our meetings have been very well attended, so if you want to be able to enjoy your meal before the speaker begins, you might want to arrive a little early. Dinner orders will be taken starting at 5:30. The program will start at 6:30.
I hope you can make it!
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