Rep. Joe McCord Won't Seek Re-Election to House

UPDATE: Former Sen. Bill Clabough Eyes Run for McCord House Seat

Where the Dems at?

Check this out. (I know it looks complicated, but just stare at it for a while like I did...)

Nov. 2008 election results by county commission district and party (based on Obama v. McCain*):

Aug. 2006 county commission vote by district, seat, and party:

So what does this tell us? Beats me. Except that Republicans dominate Blount County. But we already knew that.

But what I do see is that a) turnout is pathetic in off-year elections (when we elect most of our local county government), b) Democrats need to run more opposition candidates , and c) in 2006 Wendy Pitts Reeves and Dr. Bob Proffitt turned out more than half the number of 2008 Democratic presidential election voters in their districts (although it's most likely that not all their votes were from Democrats).

That last one is interesting, considering that turnout was about 22% in the 2006 county general election v. 76% in the 2008 national election.

It should also be noted that Democrats won two of the three County Commission seats where they ran candidates. Maybe that's the takeaway.

Anyway, these charts clearly show there are enough Democrats (and I count a 2008 Blount Co. vote for Obama as a hard core, yellow dog Democrat vote) to elect Democrats in almost every County Commission district if Democrats turn out the vote.

But this isn't really about R v. D. It's about good government, and not just being a rubber stamp for the County Mayor, Sheriff, and developers.

(*Note: The by-precinct numbers are slightly but insignificantly higher and don't add up to the unofficial election totals posted by the Blount Co. Election Commission on their website. I've double and triple checked, so you'll have to ask them why that is. Probably my bad, if someone can figure out why I'll be glad to make corrections.)

We were fortunate to have lunch with Democratic gubernatorial primary candidate Kim McMillan and Blount Co. Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves today. Our full report, with photos...

UPDATE: Maryville Daily Times on McMillan visit...

The Blount County Election office says they are finalizing certification of petitions received as of yesterday's deadline and hope to have it completed this afternoon.

It appears that ten elections are already decided with candidates running unopposed (all Republicans). Five more elections will be decided in the Republican primary, with the winners running unopposed in the general.

In the remaining six competitive races, three Republican primary winners will face independent candidates in the general. Although independents do not traditionally do well, Howard Kerr could be the spoiler in the County Mayor's race.

Democrats put up a respectable roster of candidates for County Commission, including three incumbents. All are unopposed in the primary and will advance to the general.

It appears Republicans are not happy with some of the incumbents. County Mayor Jerry Cunningham drew a primary challenger, as did County Commissioners Mark Hasty, Scott Helton, Gary Farmer, Steve Hargis, Holden Lail, and Mike Walker.

Here's how it stands at the moment:

ELECTIONS DECIDED:

Incumbent Mike Lewis (R) is running unopposed for County Commission seat 2B.

Incumbent Ron French (R) is running unopposed for County Commission seat 9A.

Incumbent Monika Murrell is running unopposed for County Commission seat 9B.

Incumbent Kenneth Melton (R) is running unopposed for County Commission seat 10B.

Incumbent Tom Hatcher (R) is running unopposed for Circuit Court Clerk.

Incumbent Robert Headrick (R) is running unopposed for Genera Sessions Judge Div. 4.

Phyllis Crisp (R) is running unopposed for Register of Deeds and will replace Penny Whaley who is retiring at the end of her term.

Incumbent Bill Dunlap (R) is running unopposed for Road Superintendent.

Incumbent Scott Graves (R) is running unopposed for Trustee.

Incumbent Jim Berrong (R) is running unopposed for Sheriff.

ELECTIONS DECIDED IN PRIMARY:

Mike Caylor and Jimmy Melton will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 3B and the winner will run unopposed in the general.

Incumbent Mark Hasty and challenger Kimberly Russell will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 4B and the winner will run unopposed in the general.

Incumbent Scott Helton and challenger Homer Sauls will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 6B and the winner will run unopposed in the general.

Incumbent Steve Hargis and challenger Jim Folts will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 7A and the winner will run unopposed in the general.

Roy Gamble, James Taylor, and John Templeton will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 8A and the winner will run unopposed in the general.

PRIMARIES DECIDED:

Incumbent Tonya Burchfield (R) and challenger Brandon Cook (D) will advance to the general for County Commission 1A.

Incumbent David Ballard (D) and challenger Shawn Carter (R) will advance to the general for County Commission 1B.

Incumbent Brad Harrison (R) will face independent challenger Everett Hoy in the general for County Commission 2A.

Incumbent Steve Samples (R) will face independent challenger Richard Hutchens in the general for County Commission 3A.

Incumbent Peggy Lambert (R) will face independent challenger Izaak Stanridge in the general for County Commission 5A.

Incumbent Bob Proffitt (D) and challenger Richard Carver (R) will advance to the general for County Commission 5B.

Independent challenger William Hill will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 4A.

Incumbent Wendy Pitts Reeves (D) will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 4C.

Gary Wynn (D) will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 6A.

Linda Jo Dees (D) will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 7B.

Independent challenger John Polk will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 8B.

Tony Webb (D) will face the Republican primary winner for County Commission 10A.

Independent challenger Howard Kerr will face the Republican primary winner for County Mayor.

COMPETITIVE PRIMARIES:

Incumbent Jerry Cunningham will face challenger Ed Mitchell in the Republican primary for County Mayor. The winner will face independent Howard Kerr in the general.

Incumbent Gary Farmer will face challenger Jerry Harvey in the Republican primary for County Commission 4A. The winner will face independent William Hill in the general.

Jerome Moon and Billy Gribble will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 4C. The winner will face incumbent Wendy Pitts Reeves (D) in the general.

Incumbent Holden Lail will compete with challengers Steve Hicks and Sheri Turner in the Republican primary for County Commission 6A. The winner will face challenger Gary Wynn (D) in the general.

Tom Greene and Tom Cole will compete in the Republican primary for County Commission 7B. The winner will face Linda Jo Dees (D) in the general.

Incumbent Mike Walker will face challenger Gordon Wright in the primary for County Commission 8B. The winner will face independent John Polk in the general.

According to the Maryville Daily Times,

A Health Care Reform discussion forum will be held at the Blount County Library on January 26th at 6:30PM.

The event is sponsored by the Center for Strong Communities at Maryville College, the Blount County Ecumenical Action Council and the nonpartisan Tennessee Health Care Campaign.

The groups "advocate for health care reform as a moral imperative regardless of the current national political debate."

Previous events by the groups were held in September, 2009, and January 3, 2010.

The Maryville Daily Times reports, and has a rundown on the other races and all the Republicans (and a few Democrats) running.

Cunningham has been a political and public relations embarrassment for Blount County. But we're not bankrupt yet and the schools are still open and the roads mostly passable and nobody has been rounded up and sent to detention camps (that we know of) and all the big development and road projects are good to go so that's good enough for the Republicans who run Blount County. They will reelect him in a landslide so there's no point wasting any time or money trying to have an opposition party or run any candidates or anything.

Left to right: Brandon Cook, Dave Finch (former Blount Co. Democratic Party Chair), and Joe Gallagher (Louisville Alderman and local political activist)

Supporters gathered at the Blount Co. Library this evening for the launch of Brandon Cook's campaign for County Commission representing the 1st District. The crowd of almost 60 included a "who's who" of Blount County Democrats and quite a number of fresh new faces.

Regarding his early entry into the race, Brandon said there is a lot of work to be done and it's never too soon to get started. He says he has a lot to talk about with voters between now and the April 14th start of early voting for the May 4th primary. He also says he won't be afraid to tell them he's a Democrat.

In his refreshingly short announcement speech, Mr. Cook said the reason he is running is simple: he cares about Blount County and Tennessee.

He said his campaign will focus on four things. First, we need to make investments in our local economy, and second, the best investment we can make is education. Third is bringing us back together as a community. Despite the perception that we are divided, Mr. Cook said there is a lot that unites us. He said the only promise he will make is that we won't always agree, but that this is healthy and we must work through the issues, lock arms, and march forward together to make our community better. Fourth, he said his campaign will be about "you, the citizens of Blount County." He wants to hear from you about your concerns and where you think the county's priorities should be.

Judging from some of the rumors and speculation among attendees, there will be a lot of interest and maybe a few surprises in the next round of Blount County elections. Lest there be any doubt about that, both local papers were there to cover Brandon's announcement.

Brandon Cook is a fifth-generation Blount County native who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the past several years for a more progressive Blount County. We are happy to see him take on the challenge of public office. He's sharp, well spoken, and knows what he's doing. We need more young people like Brandon in public service.

If you'd like to help out Brandon's campaign, you can visit his website and volunteer or make a donation:

Brandon D. Cook for County Commission

The Blount County Commission holds regular monthly meetings on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00pm in the County Commission room of the Blount County Courthouse.

Next meeting: Thursday, August 20, 2009
359 Court Street
Maryville, TN 37804-5906

All meetings of the City of Alcoa Board of Commissioners are open to the public. Commissioners meet in regular session on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building.

Next meeting Tuesday, August 11, 2009
223 Associates Blvd
Alcoa, TN 37701-1948

Hey all you fellow Tennessee Democrats. Are you tired of stuff like this? Here's something you can do and it won't cost you one thin dime.

Head on over to the new Tennessee Democratic Party website and sign up. Then invite your friends and neighbors and in-laws and outlaws to sign up, too.

It's easy. Here's all you do.

1. Go here, fill out the info, and click 'sign up'.

2. Once you're signed up, go here and invite other folks to sign up.

Once you've done that, check out the growing number of online groups that forming up and join the ones that interest you. And don't forget to sign up for TNDP e-mail news.

Bonus: once you're signed up you will have your very own personal TNDP blog. It is all completely free of charge, and no salesman will call.

And here's a challenge for all you progressive Tennessee bloggers: Let's see if we can get ONE THOUSAND new signups at the TNDP website in the next seven days or even sooner.

It appears our Republican representatives to the state legislature have their priorities in order>

Sell wine in grocery stores and beer in liquor stores
Revise the state constitution to outlaw abortions.
Legalize the sale of horse meat in Tennessee.
Allow weapon carrying drunks into restaurants/ bars ??? until 11PM.

This may be their priority but the state budget should be, for the sake of all citizens

Click here to contribute.

In November 2008, Tennessee Democrats relinquished control of the statehouse for the first time since reconstruction. In January, the Tennessee Democratic Party elected new leadership, and incoming TNDP chair Chip Forrester has pledged to expand the state party's grassroots organizing effort to build on the energy and enthusiasm created by sweeping Democratic victories in the national elections.

To support that effort, progressive bloggers across the state of Tennessee are this morning launching the "Chip in!" online fundraising blogathon to support the Tennessee Democratic Party during this critical rebuilding phase.

We have set up an ActBlue fundraising page where you can "chip in" a little or as much as you can to support this netroots effort and help the Tennessee Democratic Party hit the ground running for the critical 2010 elections for Governor and House of Representatives. Our modest goal is to raise $1000 $2000 by the close of business Friday. Your secure online contribution goes directly to the Tennessee Democratic Party's FEC regulated committee fund.

More than 400 celebrants braved the cold to attend last night's Obama Inauguration Ball hosted by the Blount County Democratic Party. I don't believe I have ever seen that many Democrats and supporters in one place in Blount County, and they were a good looking bunch.

The event quickly sold out weeks ago, and the ballroom was at full capacity with party goers decked out in their evening finest. There was great music, lots of food, a busy cash bar, and inspirational speeches. I have also never seen a more diverse crowd at any Blount Co. Democratic function, and hope we see more of that in the future.

Some scuttlebutt we heard included news that Republican Blount Co. Mayor Jerry Cunningham would not run for reelection and that Dave "Mini Me" Bennett would step up to the plate in 2010. (Neither Dave nor Jerry were in attendance at last night's event.) We also heard about a new Democratic candidate for County Commission, more on that when there's a formal announcement.

We ran into Rikki Hall and Cathie Golden, owner of the Waste Not Want Not thrift store in Maryville and also a supporter of the Foothills Land Conservancy. We talked a bit with Mike Meares, who is still healing from the media hatchet job he suffered at the hands of the Blount GOP. Judge Kelly Thomas was there, as were County Commissioners Dr. Bob Proffitt and Wendy Pitts Reeves and recently elected Louisville Town Alderman Joe Gallagher.

Rev. Dr. Harold Middlebrook, a friend of Dr. Martin Luther King who was there in Memphis with him on that fateful day, gave a stirring keynote address. He told Blount Co. Democrats to get busy, noting that out of 21 County Commissioners there were only three Democrats and no African-Americans. He got the crowd going with an electrifying tribute to President Barack Obama, who proved "Yes We Can."

Following are some photos...

The Daily Times

"I am very proud of my work with the Republican party, but I know the citizens of this county do not want partisanship to enter into the decisions at local levels," she said.

Hahahahahahahahahaha! Good one!

The Blount County Democratic Party is hosting an Inaugural Gala on January 20, 2009 at the Knoxville Airport Hilton to celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama. The party will last from 7pm to 11pm, and will include a live band and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Evening attire.
Cash bar.

Tickets are limited and cost $35 per person.

If you are interested, email your order to the following address:
blountdemsinaug_gala@yahoo.com

In your order, be sure to include:
YOUR NAME
HOME PHONE
CELLPHONE
EMAIL ADDRESS
STREET ADDRESS
NUMBER OF TICKETS

Once you send in your order, someone will contact you to confirm your order and arrange a time and place for you to pay and pick up your tickets.

This event is hosted by the Blount County Democratic Party, but ANYBODY is welcome, regardless of where you live. I hope you all can make it.

There are more of us Obama supporters out there than people think...it'll be nice to celebrate history together!