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.

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.

     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!

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