House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner stood up for Tennessee veterans and their families Tuesday defending the state’s “veterans’ preference” hiring policy.

Governor Bill Haslam and Republicans are proposing to eliminate preference given to military veterans and spouses of deceased and disabled veterans with a change to state personnel rules.

Haslam’s “TEAM Act,” sponsored [...]

Delegate Selection for the 2012 Democratic National Convention starts March 10 in Knox County

Local Democrats to host County Convention to begin delegate elections

The Knox County Democratic Party will host a County Convention at 12 p.m. CST / 1 p.m. EST on March 10 at the City County Building Main Auditorium. This convention will begin the District-Level Delegate elections for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. CST / 12 p.m. EST and doors close promptly at 12 p.m. CST / 1 p.m. EST.

The local convention is open to all registered voters in Knox County who sign a Democratic Pledge of Support form during registration.

Democrats wishing to become a District-Level Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention must vote in the March 6 Democratic Primary and declare their candidacy by filling out a Statement of Candidacy and Pledge of Support form available at www.TNDP.org.

Forms may be requested by phone at (615) 327-9779. Completed forms must be returned to the state Party by 12 p.m. CST March 1 by fax at (615) 891-7453 or by mail at TNDP, 1900 Church St., Suite 203, Nashville, TN 37203.

On March 10, participants at the county convention will elect a group of county representatives to attend a Congressional District Convention to be held on March 24.

As a group representing Knox County, only these elected participants will be eligible to vote at Congressional District-Level Conventions.

Congressional District Conventions will include representatives from every county in the U.S. House district based on 2010 lines. Participants will elect District-Level Delegates for the Democratic National Convention.

Locations for the Congressional District Conventions will be announced at the local county convention.

In honor of Black History Month 2012, our District 1 is proud to host our February meeting at Chandler’s Deli, an East Knoxville ‘instutution’.  And we are honored to present as our Guest Speaker celebrated Author, Lecturer and Professor of History and African American Studies (UT Knoxville), Dr. Cynthia G. Fleming.

Dr. Fleming is a graduate of Knoxville College and one of t its most accomplished Alumni.

Following is information on time, date, location, etc.  We encourage all who can come, to arrive around 6:00p.m. and, if possible, order something from their awesome menu.  Our meeting will begin at 6:30p.m.

February 15th @Chandler’s Deli @3101 E. Magnolia 37914

If you have any questions or want to confirm attendance, please call either KCDP District One Rep: Tony Brown  973-4086 or Mary Wilson   546-2593

Please join us this Tuesday night, January 24th at 8:00 pm at Big Fatty’s, located at 5005 Kingston Pike. They will keep the kitchen open until 9:00 pm and the bar open as long as we would like to stay. There is much to look forward to in the coming election year as we see what great progress has been made by President Obama and we look to a second term in 2012.

So come on out and meet like-minded folks as we celebrate a successful year for our country under the leadership of President Obama, and look to more success in the near future for Democrats in our state and county as well as nationally!

Join us this First Friday for an opportunity to say hello and congratulate our new Mayor! Our event will be hosted by Diana Conn, Jim Sessions and all the good folks from Mayor Rogero’s home District 9, the South of the River Democrats. We will have the usual snacks, soft drinks and wine so come on out and say hello and make some new friends and perhaps see some old friends as well. You will have an opportunity to hear first hand what exciting things are happening in Knoxville’s near future!

We will be celebrating the Holiday Season on our regular 3rd Thursday meeting night from 6:30-9:30 at the Unite Building at 1124 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. Come and join us and bring your favorite covered dish to add to the feast! We are also asking that you bring a donation of a non-perishable food item for our yearly contribution to Second Harvest Food Bank. It is always  a good time and after the enthusiasm from the 2011 races, we are expecting a large crowd! We will be joined by Mayor-elect Madeline Rogero as well as other special guests so don’t miss out!

See you at the party!

NASHVILLE – In response to Mitt Romney’s dangerous plan to voucherize our veterans’ health care, Tennessee State Rep. Mike Stewart, a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, released the following statement today ahead of Romney’s fundraiser in Knoxville:

“Veterans’ healthcare is the moral responsibility of the American people. [...]

Today, in communities across Tennessee, we honor the courage and sacrifice of the many brave servicemen and women who have given so much to their country and fought to ensure that America continues to enjoy the freedoms and opportunities that make our nation great.

We owe each and every one of America’s veterans our eternal [...]

Proud to celebrate our new City Mayor Elect Madeline Rogero and our new Councilman at Large Finbarr Saunders! Thanks to all the great Democrats who ran a hard race. We have so much progress to look forward to in Knoxville in the coming years! Thank you so much to all the great volunteers who helped in all of the campaigns, you guys made it happen!

Congressman Steve Cohen issued today the following statement commemorating Veterans Day, which is celebrated tomorrow, November 11:

“Since the Armistice at the end of World War I, November 11th has been set aside as a day to commemorate those men and women, both living and dead, whose service in uniform has given irrefutable testimony to their loyalty, [...]