Democracy for Tennessee - Candidates

Activists Thrive at Knoxville's DFA Training Academy!

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 07:42:34 -0400

"It was awesome!"

That was the reaction of one of the Tennessee activists at the end of the two-day DFA Training Academy held in Knoxville last weekend.

Many of those who filled Karns Middle School had not worked on a campaign before or were not familiar with the sophisticated techniques outlined by DFA trainers. During breaks they peppered instructors with more questions and began making plans about how they would use the information in future efforts.

Tennessee Turns Out for Lamont, Dean, and the DFT Convention!

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 14:54:39 -0400

On Easter weekend, close to 80 progressives from Memphis to Knoxville and all points in between attended Democracy for Tennessee’s Convention ’07 in Nashville throughout the day on Saturday.

Nashville's Mayoral Candidates Respond to DFA's Issues at Candidate Forum

Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:36:31 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee's Candidate Forum for Nashville's mayoral candidates at the DFT Convention was a huge success, the only downside being that it wasn’t longer. The best part: that we were able to incorporate some of the issues we had been working with earlier in the day into the questions asked of the five wannabes. As we have in the past, we asked audience members to submit questions and selected some to ask the candidates after their three-minute speeches.

One campaign manager commented afterward it was the first forum where the candidates didn’t have the questions beforehand. Sorry, but the teacher in me doesn’t want to dumb down the test. If they haven’t even thought about the issues we care about without being told to prepare, that’s something we need to know about them. For the most part, I was pleased with what they said. The four audience-submitted questions were about the right to organize and earn a living wage, Vote By Mail, LEED, also known as "green building" standards, and also one about education.

DFT Candidate May Have Second Chance at Victory!

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 22:08:24 -0500

Posted by Amy Broyles, former candidate for the Knox County Commission.

Dear Friends,

Great news! The Tennessee Supreme Court handed down a decision that will have a huge impact on Knox County's government. Eight of our nineteen commissioners, along with the Sheriff, Trustee, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds, have been declared term limited and unable to serve out their current terms. It looks like the County Commission will be making appointments for temporary replacements in the near future, with an election for more permanent replacements to follow.

Commissioner Billy Tindell of District 2 was among those affected by this ruling. If you recall, I ran against Commissioner Tindell in the Primary and General elections last year, both times as a write-in candidate. In the Primary I came within 94 votes of beating him, and in the General I received almost 30 percent of the vote, quite an accomplishment for a write-in candidate! I ran a vigorous, positive, exciting campaign, and was endorsed by The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Frank Cagle of Metro Pulse, Colvin Idol of The Knoxville Journal, Sandra Clark of The Halls Shopper, Democracy for Tennessee, and the Women Under Forty Political Action Committee.

Potential Metro Council Candidates Attend DFA Training

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 11:54:18 -0500

On December 7, close to 40 potential Metro Council candidates gathered with DFA Nashville for a presentation on running for the council. Former Councilman Stewart Clifton spoke to the crowd, going over the decision-making process many are going through as they decide whether or not to throw their hats in the ring.

Announcing DFT's "FULL HOUSE" Slate of Candidates!

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 07:55:28 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee is proud to announce our FULL HOUSE slate of candidates that will help change the course of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Even though these candidates might not be in your own House district, it is still important that our state government hear from progressive voices in the Legislature. By donating to and campaigning for these candidates, you are helping to change the political landscape in Tennessee.

So dig deep and contribute or pack up the car and drive a few miles to go door-to-door for the FULL HOUSE slate. Remember, you have the power to take our country back... use it!

TN Progressives Score Victories on Election Day!

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:53:47 -0400

Democracy is on the rise in Tennessee as progressive candidates up and down the ballot scored major victories yesterday in an election that had Phil Bredesen and Harold Ford Jr. receive the Democratic Party nominations for Governor and U.S. Senate. Thanks to the hard work and determination of the grassroots, candidates endorsed by Democracy for Tennessee and supported by local DFA chapters won all across the Volunteer State, demonstrating the new people-powered network that DFT has been organizing for the last year and a half.

New Progressive Voice Joins Knoxville County Commission!

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 12:28:17 -0400

Six months of hard work paid off last night when Mark Harmon defeated incumbent David Collins for County Commission in Knox County Tennessee.

The main themes of Mark's campaign were:
1) Improving the Commission's relationship with the School Board and therefore improving the schools in the district.
2) Sensible restrictions on sprawl in the more rural parts of Knox County.
3) Watchdogging our dishonest Sheriff and his spending.

A few weeks later, another theme appeared:

4) Term-limits

THE TENNESSEE 12: Progressive Candidates for Tennessee's Future

Mon, 19 Jun 2006 22:21:43 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee is honored to announce our endorsed candidates, the "Tennessee 12".

Changing the political landscape and advancing progressive values across the state is our primary objective and these are the people that our local leaders have found that can do that... with your help!

"How to Build a Farm Team"

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:08:10 -0400

I don't normally like to post articles on this site because I feel like, to a certain extent, enterprising progressives with a computer are able to locate news fairly easily on their own without having it forced on them by email blasts, Yahoo Groups, and the rest.

But I am breaking my own commandment for a special occasion to share this great piece from The Nation about an organization called "Progressive Majority".

Class of 2006 Graduates from DFT's Candidates Training School!

Mon, 22 May 2006 23:25:35 -0400

It was a great day for democracy in Tennessee as close to 50 candidates and campaign managers, hailing from Memphis to Knoxville and all points in between, gathered at the Downtown Partnership in Nashville for DFT's Candidate Training School. Whether they were running for School Board or U.S. Congress, first time candidates and long-time campaigners alike became DFT students for the day who shared one goal - to take our country back in 2006.

Dinner with DFT Puts Candidates in the Spotlight!

Mon, 22 May 2006 21:21:22 -0400

After a long day of workshops, lectures, and roleplays at the Democracy for Tennessee Candidate Training School, candidates and campaign managers gathered for dinner with DFT leaders in downtown Nashville.

THE TENNESSEE 12: How and Why to Get an Endorsement from Democracy for Tennessee

Mon, 22 May 2006 16:06:21 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee plans to endorse 12 candidates in their races in the August elections.

The DFT Political Action Committee (PAC), which is controlled by the Chairman and the DFT Steering Committee, will make contributions to candidates who share our progressive values.

How Can We Help?
In addition to direct contributions to candidates, DFT also offers its support in other ways. We do in-kind contributions, especially for campaign materials that empower the grassroots - like door-hangers, buttons, and palmcards. We offer research services, including polling if applicable. We also do small advertising buys from local media. But primarily, the most effective contribution Democracy for Tennessee can offer are trained door-to-door canvassers to hit the streets using your campaign's targets and message.

Democracy for Chattanooga's Candidate Forum for County Commissioners Addresses the Issues!

Thu, 04 May 2006 13:13:00 -0400

On April 4th, Democracy for Chattanooga - in cooperation with the Hamilton Voter’s Council - sponsored a County Commission candidate forum at Chattanooga State for a crowd of concerned citizens.

(NOTE: This report was submitted after the May 2 elections and includes the results of the race).

District 1: Laura Oakley (R) local business owner, is specifically concerned with the county land use plan, air quality, and illegal dumping. Incumbent Fred Skillern (R), who did not appear, won the primary on May 2nd.

DFT Endorses Reginald Fentress for Shelby County Commission!

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:35:05 -0400

Democracy for Tennessee is proud to announce its endorsement of Reginald Fentress, candidate for the Shelby County Commission (District 2, Position 2).

Fentress is an elementary school teacher in Memphis and has served as a corrections officer and a counselor for troubled youth. He also has experience on drafting legislation as a member of the TEA's legislative committee. Fentress is a member of Democracy for Memphis, which is actively campaigning for him in a bitterly contested Democratic primary race in a Democratic district.