The DeKalb County Democratic Party held its Mass Meeting Saturday at the DCHS cafeteria.

Along with the food and musical entertainment, Democratic fundraising guru and Nashville businessman Bill Freeman, keynote speaker for the event, spoke to the assembly. Freeman urged Democrats to stay united in the 2016 election, and that the goal of the party should be to put a Democrat back in the White House.

Freeman, a Davidson County mayoral candidate last year and strongly rumored to be eyeing a run for governor in two years, is a Donelson native who became the youngest person in the United States to graduate from the Realtors’ Institute and receive the GRI designation at age 16. He has served as director of Downtown Urban Development for the Metropolitan Nashville Development and Housing Agency (MDHA). He currently serves as Chairman of Freeman Webb, Inc., is on the board of directors of the Nashville State Community College Foundation and has served on the boards of the Tennessee State University Foundation, the Nashville Area YMCA, the Nashville Public Television Council and Children’s House.

He was chosen as one of Nashville Business Journal’s 2014 Power Leaders in Commercial Real Estate. He was also honored as one of the five American Diabetes Association’s 2014 Fathers of the Year.

The Bernie Sanders campaign was represented at the Mass Meeting by Michelle Davis, a volunteer who spoke Saturday as well. State Representative John Ray Clemmons also spoke on behalf of the Hillary for America Campaign.

Meanwhile, Amelia Hipps of Lebanon announced that she would seek the 46th District State Representative seat now held by Republican Mark Pody, also of Lebanon. Pody is seeking reelection to the position as well.

She will run for the Democratic nomination in August, while Pody will vie for nomination by his fellow Republicans. The winners of the August primaries will face off in the November General Election.

Hipps is currently a part-time public information officer for the Wilson County School System, and has spent more than 25 years in the newspaper business at small community newspapers throughout the southeast including Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. She worked as managing editor of the Lebanon Democrat until about four years ago when she and her husband began covering the Tennessee General Assembly for small community papers that couldn't afford to send reporters to Nashville.

Hipps said that she considered running for the seat two years ago, but personal matters prevented her from diving in to the race.

"I am here to tell you I am here to win," Hipps told the assembly. "We need more Democrats in the General Assembly. We need a balance of voices in the General Assembly."

Hipps vowed that her goal, if elected, would be to a true representative of the people.

"I want to listen to you. I can't make you a promise that every legislative endeavor I will 100 percent successful. That's unrealistic. But what I can promise you is that I will be your voice for the residents of DeKalb County who are in the 46th district. I will be your voice at the General Assembly if you will elect me. I ask you to come out and work with me. Let's get some more Democrats in the House," she said.

The 46th district includes the southern section of DeKalb County, all of Cannon County and part of Wilson.

Incumbent Assessor of Property Scott Cantrell and Constables Travis Bryant (3rd District) and Mark Milam (5th District) spoke at the meeting as well, thanking local voters for their support in the current election.

Cantrell is on the ballot for election to his second term in assessor’s office. He faces no Democratic opposition in the primary on March 1, but will be challenged by Republican Shannon Cantrell in the Aug. 4 general election.

"I just want to thank everybody that supported me during my first campaign. I am very humbled to say thank you, and I am very appreciative of being unopposed through this (primary), but it doesn't mean I've let my guard down. I want to thank each and every one who supports me and stands behind me," Cantrell said.

Bryant said that he was looking forward to running as a Democrat.

"It's an honor to stand up here today," Bryant shared. "I've seen many of you around the community for the past 10 years since I've been here. It's been a very good experience for me and being a Constable for DeKalb County has also been a good experience. I'd appreciate all the support I can get. It's my first time running on the Democratic ticket. I hope I can do as good by you as I tried to do for the past couple of years since I was elected as an Independent."

Milam said he looked forward to serving a seventh term as constable.

"I count it an honor and privilege to stand here again today for the seventh term. I want to say thanks to everyone who has supported me in the past. I look forward to this election this year. I'm thankful to everyone who has stood behind me and voted for me for the last six terms. I've tried to help everyone in DeKalb County and I look forward to it again. I ask everyone for their vote and support."

DeKalb Democratic Party Chairman Jordan Wilkins shared messages from Smithville Aldermen and Shawn Jacobs and Danny Washer, who are up for re-election in the Aug. 4 race.