Democrats vying for public office got together for their annual DeKalb County mass meeting to meet the public Saturday, breaking bread – in this case donuts, and announcing their candidacy highlights to over 300 attendees at the DCHS cafeteria.
“I think it was a very good meeting,” said DeKalb Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins. “I think the Democrats are very motivated and energized to get involved. I think you see that with all the new candidates that are stepping forward and we’ve got things to look forward to.”
Mary Mancini, chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, delivered the keynote address to get the event started.
“We have an incredible opportunity this election cycle,” Mancini said. “We are in a position where Democrats in the state of Tennessee have the wind at our back for the first time in a very, very long time.”
Former governor and Democratic candidate for the United States Senate Phil Bredesen spoke next.
“It’s like old times,” Bredesen said. “Not many people may know but right here is where I made my first
stop running for governor in 2002. Back in October running for office again was the furthest thing on my mind. Then things started happening and I became more and more upset about things that were going on in Washington over the years and people started calling me from around the state and I thought about it a lot. What’s worked for me in my life is when you see a problem you roll up your sleeves and dive in and try to do something about it.”
Bredesen reiterated he felt the Democrats had a good chance upcoming and felt the need for a viable two-party system where Democrats and Republicans could work together and he felt he could help make it happen. Helping the working class to a better life and improve their lives could be accomplished by staying focused on what people really want and how in practical terms it could be done.
“What I found in doing some research and in talking with people around the state is that people want to get beyond this standing on opposite sides of the room and shouting at each other and find some ways to move the ball down the field. There are many issues out there. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We can find ways to find compromises to get things done. Whether you are a super strong conservative and a strong supporter of the President or a super liberal on the other side of the spectrum or all in between, it seems to be universal. People are really hungry for that (compromise) and I can tell you in Washington they are not getting it,” said Bredesen.
Former Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, state House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, and state Senate candidate Mary Alice Carfi followed Bredesen prior to speeches by the local candidates for mayor including incumbent Tim Stribling, former three-term County Mayor Mike Foster, and incumbent third District County Commissioner Bradley Hendrix. The winner of the May 1 primary will face Independent candidate Randy Paris in the August County General Election.
Next on deck were Michael Agee for sheriff and Jimmy Sprague for road supervisor, both running unopposed in the primary but facing opposition in August. Agee will be trying to unseat three-term Republican incumbent Sheriff Patrick Ray. Sprague will face opposition from Republican Danny Hale.
The Democratic candidates for county clerk are Nicole Wright, an employee of the Circuit Court Clerk’s office; and incumbent 5th District Constable Mark Milam. The winner of the primary will face Republican Susan Martin in the County General Election.
Incumbent County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss and incumbent Register of Deeds Jeff McMillen will be unopposed in the Democratic Primary and in the County General Election on August 2. Poss will be re-elected to his second term. McMillen is on the way to winning his ninth term.
Democratic County Commission candidates making their intentions known in person Saturday included Dennis Slager in the first District; Nora Harvey and incumbent Joe Johnson in the second District; Bobby Johnson and incumbent Jack Barton in the thirrd District; Dr. Scott Little in the fourth District; Lloyd Emmons in the fifth District; and incumbent Larry Summers in the seventh District.
Democratic County Commission candidates who were unable to attend the meeting Saturday but had others making announcements for them were incumbent Julie Young in the first District, Myron Rhody in the second District, Jenny Trapp in the third District, Janice Fish-Stewart in the fourth District, incumbent Anita Puckett in the fifth District, Incumbent Betty Atnip in the sixth District, and Beth Pafford and incumbent Kevin Robinson in the seventh District.
Although the Smithville Municipal Election is non-partisan, incumbent Mayor Jimmy Poss announced his bid for re-election in August and ncumbent Alderman Gayla Hendrix, who was unable to attend the meeting, made her re-election plans known through a spokesperson.
