Democratic State Executive Committee Member

Write-In James Benau for Democratic State Executive Committeeman

A Commitment to Action: Write-In James Benau for Democratic State Executive Committeeman

As the election approaches, District 24 has a unique opportunity to elect a leader who doesn't just talk about progress—he builds it. James Benau is running as a write-in candidate for the Democratic State Executive Committee, bringing a wealth of experience from his time as a two-term Road Board Commissioner and his leadership as Chair and Vice Chair of the Henry County Democratic Party.

The "FTE" Strategy: A Blueprint for Victory

When James visits local counties, he speaks on a clear, three-part mission to revitalize our party’s presence across all eight counties in District 24. His FTE framework is the core of his candidacy:

• FIND them: We must actively seek out and recruit strong, community-minded candidates who reflect the values of our neighbors.

• TRAIN them: We cannot leave our candidates to figure it out on their own. James is committed to providing the resources, mentorship, and strategic training necessary to run modern, effective campaigns.

• ELECT them: By building a robust ground game and restoring voter engagement—including his proven track record of helping citizens regain their voting rights—James is focused on the ultimate goal: putting Democrats back in office.

VOTER GUIDE: How to Cast Your Write-In Vote

Because James is a Write-In Candidate, his name will not appear on the printed list. To ensure your vote counts for District 24, please follow these steps:

1. Locate the Office: Find the section on your ballot for "Democratic State Executive Committeeman – District 24."

2. Select "Write-In": Choose the "Write-In" option on the screen or paper ballot.

3. Enter the Name: Type or write James Benau exactly.

4. Complete the Action: Ensure you hit "Enter," "Accept," or "Confirm" so the machine records your choice.

Tip: Poll workers cannot give you a candidate’s name. Be sure to memorize the spelling—B-E-N-A-U—or bring this newsletter with you as a reference!

Why James Benau?

James has a proven record of winning, having managed four local campaigns and securing victories in two of them. He understands that the State Executive Committee's job is to support the "boots on the ground." From organizing 2020 presidential support to leading local voter registration drives, James knows how to move the needle in District 24.

Democratic State Executive Committee Member

Hello, I am Tammy Floyd-Wade, Democratic State Executive Committeewoman District 24 and Regional Vice Chair for West TN. I am always committed to serving others to improve the quality of life, opportunities, and betterment for all mankind. Get involved!!!

Tennessee House District 8

PERK UP

WITH PERKINS

Support in Fighting for Veterans, Women, and Labor Rights

WHO IS LEONARD PERKINS?

Leonard Perkins is a champion for veterans' human rights, women's reproductive autonomy, and organized labor.

He is a retired USAF Air traffic controller as well as a retired employee from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Leonard is a substance abuse counselor & Pastor/Founder of Patmos Island Community Church for 25 years.

In 2015: He founded the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1113.

In 2019: He founded the All Veterans Golfplex and Adaptive Sports Center. This is a 46-acre therapeutic facility dedicated to making veterans and their families whole again. It consists of a 9-hole golf course, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a tennis court. On-site, there is also a Medical doctor, a licensed RN, and two licensed social workers, as well as four horses for Equine Therapy.

Leonard volunteers his time as a Chaplain for Baptist Trinity Hospice: Performing end-of-life services and military pinning, is a Clergy Ambassador for the Memphis Police Department, serves as a member of the Memphis Library Foundation Board, is a member of the Memphis Baptist Ministers Association, and is the current President of All American Veterans, Inc.. 

He holds a Bachelor of Science as well as a Masters of Divinity and was recently endorsed by the Teamsters.

Tennessee House District 8

Gordon Bryan is a decorated Naval Aviator who spent the last thirty-five years flying for FedEx. He is dedicated to upholding Democratic values and is a fierce advocate for policies like Medicare for all, strong public education, and will work to oppose the Trump agenda. Gordon swore an oath to defend the US Constitution, and now views his political life as an extension of that oath.

More information coming soon!

     Councilwoman Jerri Green, a proud Memphian, was elected to the Memphis City Council on November 16, 2023. Having graduated from White Station High School, she pursued her higher education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned her B.A. in English and Political Science. Continuing her academic journey, Jerri obtained her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

     She is a licensed attorney in the state of Tennessee and a member of the Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, the Association for Women Attorneys, and the American Inns of Court. She has practiced public interest law in areas ranging from international human rights to criminal defense, in Washington, D.C., Nashville, and Memphis. She also taught criminal law and juvenile justice for almost a decade through the University of Phoenix. She has worked at the University Memphis Law School and was the previous Executive Director of the Community Legal Center where she worked to advance the mission of bridging the justice gap in the Memphis community.

     Jerri currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Staff to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris. In her most recent professional role, she served as the Senior Policy Advisor to Mayor Lee Harris where she worked on many issues, from Women’s Health and Public Safety to Refugee Assistance and Blight Remediation. Her accomplishments in this role include leading projects to insure over 70% of the local prison population was vaccinated at the height of COVID, finalizing the last group of Shelby County employees received a living wage, and establishing a first of its kind free gun lock by mail program.

     Councilwoman Green was named a Superwoman in Business by the Memphis Business Journal in 2023 and was selected as a fellow for the Aspen Institute’s Memphis Workforce Leadership Academy. She is the past President of the Democratic Women of Shelby County, a member of the Board of Directors for the Girls, Inc. and the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County and was the statewide election lead for the Tennessee Moms Demand Action Chapter.

     Councilwoman Green now serves as the Chairwoman of the Economic Development, Tourism, & Technology Committee and the Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee. Additionally, she serves as the Council’s liaison for Memphis River Parks Partnership and the Urban Art Commission.

     Councilwoman Green takes immense pride in her role as a mother and wife. Patrick is her loving husband, and she is blessed to be the mother of Beau, Vivienne, and Wilder.

Memphis City Councilwoman, Jerri Green, is running for Tennessee governor: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2025/07/14/memphis-city-councilwoman-jerri-tennessee-governor/85191204007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115251p116450c116450e005400v115251b0045xxd004565&gca-ft=150&gca-ds=sophi 

     Dr. Carnita Atwater is a native of Clarksdale, Mississippi, where her family moved to Memphis

when she was 14 years old. She grew up on a 300-acre family farm. She started her first business

at the age of 12, which was a lawn & landscaping service. She graduated from Frayser High

School as Valedictorian at 16 years of age. She opened her first Prestige Child Development

Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, in 1989, which housed 350 children. At one point in her life,

she owned 35 residential properties, three commercial properties, and 1200 acres of land. In

2005, she was the only African American female who owned a 100-acre farm in

Memphis/Shelby County, which was used to educate urban children.

She is a community activist, children and elder advocate, public servant, and modern-day Harriet

Tubman. Her greatest inspiration and joy in life are her 92 foster children, whom she raised with

unconditional love. She has an agape love for children and homeless individuals. She has 125

underserved children that she mentors and serves regularly. Her sweet miniature donkey, Sweet

Justice, is the love of her life.

She holds an Associate's degree in Nursing, a Bachelor's degree in Community Health Education

with a concentration in Epidemiology, two Master's degrees in Gerontology and Public Health

Administration/Psychology, and a PhD in Public Health Administration.

She has been blessed with an extensive career in Nursing, Health Care Management and

Education which she has worked in the capacity of an elementary teacher, Certified Nurse

Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, primary care nurse, Nursing Home

Administrator, Assistant Hospital Administrator, Director of Nursing, Dean of Medical Studies,

Academic Dean, Dean of Education, Dean of Student Affairs, Medical Director and adjunct

professor. She was the youngest Dean in the State of Tennessee at the age of 28 which she was

recognized by Governor Ned McWherter. She received a Presidential Award from Bill Clinton.

She has received over 5,000 honorary certificates, proclamations, community awards, and keys

to several towns and cities. In 2017, she sued the City of Memphis, Shelby County, and the State

of Tennessee for $20 billion for the abuse and neglect of citizens living in underserved and

marginalized communities. She was motivated to run for Governor due to the rampant political

corruption, criminal, and judicial abuse of citizens, which she also experienced in the court

system.

She is running for the Governor of the State of Tennessee to place people back into politics, to

bring equity to the rural communities that have been left out of the economic equation, address

rural hospital closures, address the disparities of farmers, address the abuse of cutting SNAP and

Medicaid, and restore the constitutional rights of Tennesseans. Tennesseans are suffering, and

we must have a person bold enough to stand for the people.

In 2020, Governor Bill Lee gave her a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding

service in the best interest and in the highest traditions of the State of Tennessee. She has always

placed people first in her lifelong endeavors to preserve life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

for Tennesseans.

Recently, last month, when running for the Governor of the State of Tennessee, she fought

against billionaires to stop a new jail, prison, and detention center from going into her beloved

community, New Chicago, which is an underserved and marginalized community that has been

disinvested for the last 50 years. She is also the Executive Director of the New Chicago

Community Partnership Revitalization CDC.

In the last ten years, she has been instrumental in feeding over 10,000 individuals/families each

year, has distributed over 30,000 pieces of clothing to the indigent, has helped save 200 Senior

Citizens from losing their homes through back taxes, and purchased medication & medical

supplies for over 10,000 elders who were charged with purchasing medications or going without

food. She has created jobs for gang members, juveniles, and teenagers to cut down on crime.

Indeed, she is a boots-on-the-ground gubernatorial candidate who has had her fingers on the

pulse of the communities across the State of Tennessee for decades.

Her community outreach has been across the State of Tennessee from Clarksville, Waverly,

Union City, Erin, Dover, McKenzie, Mason, Bolivar, Brownsville, Jackson, Dickson,

Somerville, Whiteville, Arlington, Atoka, Millington, Covington, Martin, Milan, Munford,

Sweetwater, Nashville, Springfield, Ashland City, Columbia, Moscow and numerous other

towns and cities.

During Christmas time, she donates 200 – 500 bicycles to low-income and rural children, 5,000

coats to children and homeless individuals, 10,000 toys, toiletries, etc. School supplies are given

each year to aid in the sustainability of educational success for children caught in the cycle of

poverty. Each year, 5,000 school uniforms are donated to the children with backpacks. Barber

and beauty shops are solicited to perform haircuts and hair styles for the children, which is paid

for by Carnita Atwater through vouchers. Over 3,000 Easter baskets are given each year to bring

joy to children across the City of Memphis and surrounding counties. At least four children's

events are performed each year to provide the children in Tennessee with the opportunity just to

be a child and aid in the prevention of gang affiliation.

As a community advocate, she has worked side by side with prominent Civil Rights leaders such

as Aaron Henry, Jesse Jackson, Sr., Julian Bonds, Maxine Waters, and Al Sharpton.

She is well-rounded and would serve as a great “People’s Governor” for the State of Tennessee.

She is unbought, unbossed, and uncompromised!

   Meet Ditch,

Your Next TN Governor!

My name is Adam Kurtz, though my friends call me “Ditch” – and so can you.

Ever get tired of the same ole playbook? Why don’t we try something new and bold, in order to take back Tennessee for those of us who want a government with humanity and compassion? Let’s focus on what we can do looking forward to improve the life of every Tennessean.

I’m a musician on a mission. I live in Nashville with my dog Zebulon. I play pedal steel guitar and 6-string guitar in bands all around the country, and world.

I am running for Governor of Tennessee.

I want a government that helps you, not hurts you. Works for you instead of against you. Is fair and just, not corrupt.

My goal is simply to make your life better. I want to lower costs (affordable healthcare, free pre-K child care, eliminate grocery tax) and improve your quality of life (raise minimum wage, support workers rights). We should lift up the floor.

I want every Tennessean to be safe – that means protecting the LGBTQ community, it means respecting our immigrant neighbors, it means investing heavily in our public schools. I want a government that is truly on your side, on your team, fighting FOR you instead of taking FROM you.

Government is supposed to be BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE. Well… I’M A PEOPLE!

We can keep electing corrupt and wealthy businessmen or career politicians who have no idea what it’s like to work for a living and struggle to make ends meet. Or, we can try something totally new.

It’s time to break the cycle.
It’s time to build the future.

Kevin Lee McCants graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technologies and from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology. His career experience includes working as a production supervisor at a Hot Topic Distribution Center.

I'm a U.S. Army veteran, National Guardsman, and small farmer with a degree in plant and soil science. Whether I'm working as a small-engine repairman or managing my land, I'm a fixer who believes in common-sense solutions. As a hunter and conservationist, I know that protecting Tennessee’s beauty is a sacred duty. As a stroke survivor, I understand what it means to be "down and out" and have the grit to get back up. I am an old-school Tennessee Democrat guided by my Christian faith, and a regular guy who starts every morning in the Word with my wife. I ask “What Would Jesus Do?” and believe the answer is simple: help the poor, uplift every family, and lead with love instead of judgment. I promise to serve only ONE term as Governor. I will NOT seek reelection in 2030. These days I'm an avid cyclist, but I still love watching football, baseball and basketball.

Also you pronounce Cyr like you're searing a steak!

1. Rural Access to Jobs & Services

Rural Tennesseans shouldn’t have to sit in Nashville traffic just to get to work. We must expand rail and bus access. Working from home and telecommuting must be expanded so families can live and work where they want.

2. No Child Should Go Hungry

Restore every dollar, roughly $84 million, stripped from our kids’ summer food programs. Less-fortunate children deserve to eat in the summer. Remove the sales tax off grocery items like every other state is doing.

3. Mental Health Care

Tennessee is near the bottom in mental health. We’re fixing that on Day One. My wife worked in the field for years. I survived a serious stroke at age 30 and know what “down and out” feels like.

4. Fix Middle Tennessee Traffic & Make Our Roads Safer

Nashville ranks among the worst for crashes. We tackle it head-on, even if it steps on the toes of lawyers profiting from the chaos. Safer roads save lives and money.

5. Gun Rights

Proud supporter of the 2nd Amendment in Tennessee. I own a pistol and love to hunt. I will NOT take away your guns. I want to give every Tennessee citizen the mental healthcare required to end gun violence.

6. Public Schools First - Pay Teachers What They’re Worth

Let’s put every dollar into making Tennessee public schools #1. Raise teacher pay, expand pre-K, and make sure rural schools get the resources they need. Every child deserves a great education right here at home. I will continue supporting the great work of Vanderbilt, Memphis, Knoxville and our other outstanding colleges.

7. Working Families Deserve Real Support

Paid family leave. Affordable childcare. And a Tennessee state minimum wage of $15 an hour. The feds in Washington shouldn’t be telling us what to do while other states get ahead. Tennessee families need to get ahead too!

8. Full Medicaid Expansion to Save Rural Hospitals

I will push Tennessee to fully expand Medicaid and bring in the federal money we’re leaving on the table. Save our rural hospitals, expand mental-health access, and give working families the healthcare they need. Our tax dollars go to DC so let’s bring them back home.

9. Treat Addiction Like the Disease It Is

Addiction is a disease, not a crime. Putting people in jail just turns them into better criminals. We need real mental-health treatment and help not more prison beds. I’ll fight for recovery programs that actually work. I will legalize marijuana and tax it to fill our treasury.

10. Honoring Our Veterans & National Guard Families

As a U.S. Army veteran and National Guardsman, I’ll make Tennessee the most veteran-friendly state in America: full services, no VA red tape, priority mental health, and real support for Guard families.

11. Women’s Rights

Overturning Roe v Wade was a mistake. Young women are the biggest victims of this. I will restore abortion access to the women who need it most.

12. Faith, Family & Uplifting Every Tennessean

I’m a regular Christian, not a big church-goer these days, but my wife and I do Bible study every morning especially since COVID. I ask “What Would Jesus Do?” every day. That means helping the poor, uplifting every family in Tennessee, and leading with love instead of judgment. I’m not here to preach or tell anyone else what their faith should be, I just want to serve you!

13. Expanding Broadband as a Utility

In 2026, high-speed internet is like electricity. You can’t run a farm or a home-school without it. We’ll treat fiber-optic as a public utility to make sure the last mile in rural Tennessee isn’t left in the dark.

14. Supporting the Tennessee Farmer

Farming is our backbone. I’ll cut the red tape that prevents small-scale farmers from selling directly to local schools and businesses. Let’s keep Tennessee money in Tennessee soil.

15. Small Business: The Engine of Main Street

I’ll create a Small Business Shield to protect local shops from predatory out-of-state corporate tactics and simplify the licensing process so a regular person can start a business in a week, not a year.

16. Clean Water & Fresh Air

Whether you’re fishing in the Tennessee River or hiking in the Smokies, our outdoors belong to us. I’ll crack down on companies dumping waste into our water: no exceptions, no excuses.

For questions, suggestions, a yard sign or anything else email me at CYR4GOV@gmail.com

*DONATE* at www.paypal.me/TimCyr2 OR

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/tim-cyr-2

US Senator Candidate

ENOUGH WAITING.

A better world is brewing and I’m running for US Senate against the billionaire class that owns Washington because I'm done waiting. Will you join me?

This is a campaign of gathering power and using it to make our lives, our communities, and our world a better place. This movement is a place for all of us to experience solidarity and collective action, even if you’ve never been part of a campaign before.

We’ll tackle tough issues together and make our democracy work for us all. We can do this!

Join the community today by donating, volunteering, and being part of the conversation.

Any donation amount helps. The earlier we build this campaign, the more we can do to stop this thieves' regime and move our nation forward.

Ready to save the world?

If you're like me and can't wait to see the wheels start turning,
click this link to learn more about joining the campaign.

US Senator Candidate

Civil Miller-Watkins graduated from Bolivar Central High. Miller-Watkins earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology from University of Tennessee at Martin in 1992, as well as a Bachelor of Science in social work in 1994, and a master's degree in education in 2023 from the same university. Her career experience includes working as a middle school teacher. Miller-Watkins was the vice-chair of the Board of Education for Fayette County Public Schools.

Kevin Lee McCants graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering technologies and from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a master's degree in industrial and organizational psychology. His career experience includes working as a production supervisor at a Hot Topic Distribution Center.

LEADERSHIP FOR HEALTHY AND SAFE COMMUNITIES

Marquita Bradshaw is a Tennessee native; a Memphian who has extensive experience in the environmental justice movement and an advocate for human rights. Marquita grew up in South Memphis and is an alumna of University of Memphis. She is a single mom who raised her son on a working-class salary.

A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Marquita’s career and service have spanned labor, environment, education reform, tax reform, trade policy, and social justice work. Her passion for a clean and safe environment drives her to raise awareness and fight for environmental justice which impacts the poor and most vulnerable in any society.

​Volunteer and Community Organizing Work Includes: 

• Defense Depot Memphis, TN-Concerned Citizens Committee

• Youth Terminating Pollution (Founding member)

• Mid-South Peace & Justice Center

• Sierra Club Executive Committee

• Stand for Children

• AFGE

• AFL-CIO 

• Memphis Community Advisory Board: Southern Gateway Environmental Health Disparities Research Center of Excellence 

• Memphis Chapter Coalition, Black Trade Unionist Community Action and Response Against Toxics (CBTU-CARAT) Team

• Tennessee African American Environmental Justice Network

• ​Tennesseans for Fair Taxation

• Memphis NAACP Climate & Justice Chair

• Asa Philip Randolph Institute 

A HARDWORKING

BOARD MEMBER

• Executive Director, Sowing Justice

• Environmental Justice Chair for the Tennessee Chapter, Sierra Club

• International Coalition to Ban Depleted Uranium Weapons

• African American Environmental Justice Network 

• Military Toxics Project

• Youth Terminating Pollution

• Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

• Tennesse Vally Authority Regional Energy Resource Council

Awards and Recognition:

• Dick Mochow Environmental Justice Award, Sierra Club

• Human Rights Award, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center

• VOX Student Award: Financial Literacy High School Pilot, PRSSA

• Changemaker Award

• History In Green Award

• Harriet Tubman Living Legacy Award

Diana Onyejiaka was born in Tennessee. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration from Tennessee State University. Onyejiaka also earned a J.D. from the Southern University Law Center. Her career experience includes working in healthcare compliance, higher education, federal mediation, and public policy. She founded the Youth - Trainee Culture & Sustainability Project and DC Consult International. Onyejiaka has served as an organizer of the U.S. - Africa Business Opportunities & Exchange Conference.

Tennessee House District 80

My name is Andrea Bond Johnson.

I’m running to put people first so families here can afford life, count on healthcare, earn fair pay, and see real opportunity. I’ll work to lower everyday costs, build strong schools, grow small businesses, and expand training that leads to good jobs. With steady, honest leadership, I’ll listen, solve problems, and deliver.

OUR PRIORITIES

Fighting for Our Community

These are some of the top priorities our campaign is focused on.

Good jobs

Strong schools

Healthcare access

Lowering costs