NASHVILLE, TN (January 16, 2021) – Today the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee elected new officers to oversee the direction of the party for the next two-years. Outgoing chair Mary Mancini has held the reigns for the past 6-years. The vote of the Executive Committee made history by electing Hendrell Remus, who will be the…
(January 9, 2021) – The Knoxville City Council and County Commission has voted to create a Sports Authority, which is the first step to building a publicly-funded Smokies baseball stadium in downtown Knoxville. With the horse before the cart, information on the membership or purpose of this board has not been publicly shared. For example:…
MARYVILLE, TN – What a terrible day we witnessed Wednesday, January 7, 2021! Insurgents incited by a sitting president stormed the Capitol to try and prevent the counting of votes cast in a fair and free election. Americans everywhere are not only outraged, they are sickened and concerned for the future of our country. There…
Commentary from the Blount County Democratic Party By J. Nathan Higdon, BCDP Acting Chair (January 7, 2021) – “The insurrection and attempted coup through the storming of the United States Capitol building (Wednesday, Jan. 7) would be viewed on the nightly news as the thing of despotic, far-off countries most folks couldn’t place on a…
BLOUNT COUNTY (January 5, 2021) – It’s been a tough year. We mourn the loss of so many friends and family members to Covid. It’s been agonizing to bear witness to the fragility of our democracy. Here in our corner of the world we are not immune. People face racial injustices, struggle with homelessness and…
Politically, we’ve had more good news this past week but unfortunately, COVID-19 continues to ravage the country. Tennessee is now the worldwide epicenter of per capita infections. Accordingly, our action this week focuses on the performance of our Governor Lee in dealing with the pandemic. As the Biden transition team attempts to bring sanity back…
The mechanisms needed to clear the way for a new Smokies baseball stadium to be built in downtown Knoxville are strategically underway. Tonight’s (Dec. 15, 2020), agenda for Knox County Commission meeting will include a vote on the formation of the “Sports Authority of the County of Knox and the City of Knoxville, Tennessee.” he…
Knox County Commissioners, Tennessee State Representatives, and Health Professionals Make Urgent Appeal to the other State and Local Government officials and Residents Amid Spiking COVID-19 Cases. CAPTION: Knox County Commissioners for Dist 1 Dasha Lundy, and Dist 2 Courtney Durrett; State Representatives Dist. 13 Gloria Johnson and Dist 15 Sam McKenzie. KNOXVILLE, TN (Dec….
Four local legislators will meet with Knoxville hospital partners on Wednesday, December, 16th, to discuss the local impact of COVID-19. KNOXVILLE, TN (December 13, 2020) – “COVID and the Community – Our Next Steps Together” is set to be a roundtable discussion between local legislators and medical professionals. Local medical professionals will share current COVID-19…
By Rhea Morgan, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks to your participation in the electoral process we have much to be thankful for. Please take a minute to celebrate the rewards of your efforts for a better future for all. We have much to be thankful for… There are only 52 days…
“Dr. Jane George, 2020 TN Senate District 6 candidate, announces run for TNDP Chair for 2021” KNOXVILLE, TN (Nov. 2020) – “Today I announce my candidacy for Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party. Over the next several weeks, I will continue my conversations with stakeholders across the state to discuss my vision, while listening to…
KNOXVILLE, TN (Nov. 22, 2020) – Our mission is clear: to ensure a peaceful and secure transition of power, and for Congress, the Electoral College, and Tennessee officials to honor the accurate and final vote count. Join us on Sunday, Nov. 22nd at 10 a.m. for a brief rally/press conference and motor march through West Knoxville….
KNOXVILLE, TN (Nov. 20, 2020) – If you are planning on doing some holiday shopping at the Outlets in Sevier County or take your out-of-town Thanksgiving guests on a tour to enjoy Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this Saturday, Nov. 21st, you might want to reconsider or postpone for a later date. Holiday travel and shopping…
Presented by Tennessee State Representative Gloria Johnson (D13) Hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. As we watch the coronavirus cases rise in Knoxville and across the state, I am becoming more and more concerned with the safety of our community. As others may be feeling concerned as well, I am hosting a…
By Rhea Morgan November 15, 2020 Post-election developments appear to be heading in the right direction. For the first, on Sunday, Nov. 15, President Donald Trump recognized he lost (although he also said the results were rigged). The turnout for the March on Washington, the previous Saturday, was also relatively small with an estimated attendance…
By Jack Vaughan KNOXVILLE, TN (November 13, 2020) – Knox County shifted 8.5% in Democrats’ favor from 2016 to 2020, Trump’s vote share shrank 1.9%. Trump won with a +23.7 margin in 2016 and then a +15.2 margin this year. This shift is the 3rd highest in the state behind only Rutherford and Williamson Counties….
Polls open at 8 am across Knox County and close at 8 pm. Anyone in line at 8 pm gets to vote. Find all of your needed information on the ballot and polling places at www.knoxvotes.org. Knox County Election Commission at knoxcounty.org/election/ or call; the 865-215-2480. A list of Knox County Democratic candidates www.knoxvilledemocrats.org/ourcandidates) Don’t…
The stakes in the race to replace retiring TN Senator Lamar Alexander are high: Bill Hagerty, a longtime businessman and GOP donor, prevailed in the crowded Republican primary for Tennessee US Senate in August. He earned President Donald Trump’s endorsement for the seat right out of the gate. Hagerty is a Tennessee native who served as…
Two Knoxville natives with different views of the world. BY JESSE FOX MAYSHARK • OCTOBER 7, 2020 There are no term limits for the Tennessee state Legislature. Just ask Bill Dunn. The retiring speaker pro tempore of the state House of Representatives was first elected to office in 1994, representing the North Knox 16th District….
BY SCOTT BARKER • OCTOBER 8, 2020 A political newcomer is challenging an entrenched incumbent in this year’s 6th District state Senate race. Dr. Jane George, a Democrat, is taking on Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, the Republican who has held the seat for the past nine years. The Republican Party has controlled the 6th District…
Election 2020: 18th State House District Republican state Rep. Martin Daniel’s decision to not seek reelection this year opened the door for new representation in the 18th House District. BY SCOTT BARKER • OCTOBER 12, 2020 Business owner and philanthropist Eddie Mannis is running against business owner and attorney Virginia Couch. Mannis is a Republican,…
A pre-election day celebration that will include a special viewing of the documentary Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be this Thursday, October 29, at Parkway Drive-In, Hwy 321 East, Maryville, TN. in Blount County. Admission is free, donations encouraged. To reserve a space, or to make a donation; visit…
Meet & Greet Tailgates at Knoxville Early voting sites this Saturday, October 24th. KNOXVILLE, TN (Oct. 23, 2020) – The Knox County Democratic Party is sponsoring tailgate-style rallies at early voting sites in Knoxville. While casting your vote early this Saturday, not only will you avoid long lines and waiting times, you can meet…
OP-ED Submitted by Nancy Mott Dear voters, I hope you’ll support Marquita Bradshaw for U.S. Senate! Marquita Bradshaw is truly a miracle candidate. In the Democratic primary she was one of five candidates; expected to win was James Mackler, an Army veteran with a $2.1 million war chest. That was to Bradshaw’s…
OP-ED By Attorney Luke P. Ihnen (Submitted October 2, 2020) – Knox County Election Commissioners chose “party over safety.” Under state law, county election commissions are made up of five commissioners: three Republicans and two Democrats. While the makeup of the election commission is partisan, the decisions they make are not. Election commissioners decide where…