TEP PAC Endorsements for Shelby County Government on August 7

TEP PAC is pleased to announce the following endorsements of candidates running for offices in Shelby County government in the August 7, 2014 election. TEP PAC encourages you to vote for, volunteer for, and contribute to these equality advocates (click names with links for candidate information):

MAYOR – Deidre Malone

DISTRICT 4 COMMISSIONER – Jackie Jackson

DISTRICT 6 COMMISSIONER – Willie Brooks

DISTRICT 8 COMMISSIONER – Walter Bailey

DISTRICT 10 COMMISSIONER – Reginald Milton

DISTRICT 12 COMMISSIONER – Van Turner

DISTRICT 13 COMMISSIONER – M. Jain

SHERIFF – Bill Oldham

CLERK – Charlotte B. Draper

DISTRICT 1 SCHOOL BOARD - Freda Garner-William

DISTRICT 3 SCHOOL BOARD - Teddy King

DISTRICT 5 SCHOOL BOARD – David Winston

Each candidate submitted a survey to TEP PAC for review and asked for TEP PAC’s endorsement. All candidates for Shelby County Mayor, Sheriff, Board of Commissioners, Clerk and School Board were invited to participate in the survey by letters mailed to the address listed on their petitions with the Shelby County Election Commission.

Early Voting begins July 18, 2014 at 157 Poplar Avenue and continues through August 2, 2014. Visit the Shelby County Election Commission website for more details about the full August 7 ballot and voting locations, dates and times.

Yours for equality,

H.G. Stovall

TEP PAC Chair

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee (Joyce Peacock, Treasurer). The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily represent the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project.

TEP PAC announces endorsements in 2010 state legislative races

21 September 2010

For Immediate Release

Nashville- Tennessee Equality Project’s Political Action Committee, TEP PAC, has announced its 2010 General Assembly Candidate Endorsements*. Following the Primary Elections, TEP PAC reviewed legislative candidates’ records and policy positions for legislative districts throughout Tennessee. After careful deliberation, the following candidates were endorsed.

District 49- Representative Kent Coleman (D), Murfreesboro – part of Rutherford Co.

District 50- Representative Gary Moore (D), Joelton – part of Davidson Co.

District 51- Representative Mike Turner (D), Old Hickory – part of Davidson Co.

District 55- Representative Gary Odom (D), Nashville – part of Davidson Co.

District 59- Representative Sherry Jones (D), Nashville – part of Davidson Co.

District 60- Metro Councilman Sam Coleman (D), Antioch- part of Davidson Co.

District 85- Representative Johnnie Turner (D), Memphis – part of Shelby Co.

District 89- Representative Jeanne Richardson (D), Memphis – part of Shelby Co.

What does it mean when TEP PAC endorses a candidate? “The endorsement is a commitment to provide volunteers to work for campaigns- from phone banking to walking districts. TEP PAC will also assist in raising money for our endorsed candidates,” says Jenny Ford, TEP PAC chair. “These individuals stand behind our mission to promote equality for all, and we intend to do everything we can to get these candidates elected and in office to serve our state wisely and fairly,” Ford emphasizes. This is the second time the TEP PAC has endorsed candidates for the General Assembly.

If you would like to assist these candidates and TEP Steering Committees, please contact Chris Sanders at chris@tnequalityproject.com. To learn more about TEP PAC, along with TEP Foundation and TEP, please become our friend on Facebook and visit our website www.tnequalityproject.com .

*- The endorsements by TEP PAC do not necessarily reflect the position of Tennessee Equality Project’s Board or membership.

TEP-PAC announces endorsements for Shelby County Commission

TEP PAC is pleased to announce several endorsements for the Primary and General Elections for the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.

These candidates have expressed a commitment to LGBT equality, and we need their voices on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.

We encourage you to donate to and volunteer for these candidates and to vote for them if you live in their district. Click on the links on the following candidates’ names to learn more about their campaigns.

Shelby County Commission District 2, Position 3:

Both Reginald Milton and Norman Lester responded well to TEP-PAC's survey, but Reginald Milton won TEP-PAC's endorsement in the Democratic Primary and General Election. Contact Campaign Coordinator Tarrin McGee at 901-517-2870 to request a yard sign or volunteer to phone bank or canvass for Reginald Milton. Make a donation to Milton's campaign on his website (http://www.votereginaldmilton.com/) or make it in person at the March 25th fundraising party from 6-8 PM (see Evite and on on Facebook).

Shelby County Commission District 3, Position 1:

Support and vote to re-elect incumbent James Harvey in the Democratic Primary and General Election. To volunteer for Harvey's campaign contact him at CommHarvey@yahoo.com or 901-590-2348. Campaign donations may be mailed to 4118 South Plaza Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116.

Shelby County Commission District 3, Position 3:

Support incumbent Edith Moore in the Democratic Primary and General Election. You can assist Commissioner Moore's campaign by volunteering to canvass, phone bank, or hold a meet and greet for the candidate in your home. Contact Campaign Manager Ester Moore at 901-219-9109 or on web. Visit Commissioner Moore's website to learn more about her or make a donation to her campaign: edithamoore.com.

Shelby County Commission District 5:

Support and vote to re-elect incumbent Steve Mulroy in the Democratic Primary and General Election. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Savanah at 901-487-0344 to request a yard sign or volunteer to canvass or phone bank for Steve Mulroy. Visit Mulroy's website at http://www.mulroy4dist5.com/ to learn more about his positions on the issues and make a donation in support of his campaign.

Voting Information:

Early voting begins on April 14 and ends on April 29. May 4 is election day. For detailed information about early and election day voting locations and times, click here.

Let’s make sure we have strong allies on the Shelby County Commission.

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee. Joyce Peacock, Treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily reflect the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project.

TEP PAC endorses Steve Mulroy for Shelby County Commission

TEP PAC is pleased to announce that we endorse Steve Mulroy in the Democratic Primary for the District 5 Shelby County Commission seat and we urge you to support his campaign and vote for him if you live in this district.

Mulroy is a strong LGBT equality advocate with a record of achievement. As sponsor of the Shelby County Non-Discrimination Ordinance in 2009, he opposed discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We need Steve's voice to remain on the Shelby County Board of Commissioners.

Steve’s desire, his passion to make things right for all is powerful. His tenacity in ensuring passage of the LGBT non-discrimination resolution in the County Commission was inspiring, and it is an honor to join the growing list of organizations endorsing Commissioner Mulroy. Tennessee Equality Project knows Steve “gets it” and he gets it done.

Voting Information: Early voting begins on April 14 and ends on April 29. May 4 is election day. For detailed information about early and election day voting locations and times, click here.

How to Help: Attend Mulroy's Campaign Kickoff and Headquarters Grand Opening on Saturday, March 20 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at 4661 Knight Arnold (in shopping plaza at Perkins & Knight Arnold). Burgers, dogs, and karaoke with Myron Lowery and Edmund Ford Jr.

We encourage you to donate to Steve's campaign here and to volunteer for campaign office work, canvassing and phone banking. Call (901-301-3306) or email (JonathanTN@juno.com) Jonathan Cole for more information.

Let’s keep a strong ally on the Shelby County Commission. Please support Steve Mulroy in the District 5 Democratic Primary election.

Jenny Ford
TEP PAC Chair

TEP PAC is a state political action committee registered in Tennessee. Joyce Peacock, Treasurer. The endorsements of TEP PAC do not necessarily reflect the views of the board of the Tennessee Equality Project.

Endorsement of David Glasgow in Metro District 18: Full text

The news has already broken at Out & About and at the Tennessean, and picked up by Mr. Kleinheider, but here is the full text of TEP PAC's endorsement of David Glasgow from TEP PAC Chair Jenny Ford:

On Tuesday in the presence of the statewide community gathered for the 5^th annual Advancing Equality Day on the Hill, I had the pleasure of announcing that TEP PAC has endorsed David Glasgow for the open Metro Nashville Council seat in District 18.

David is a strong neighborhood advocate, a quality prized highly by the people of District 18. Also impressive is how hard David has worked in this campaign. David has knocked on countless doors and, according to the first financial disclosure, he is the leading candidate in fundraising with an impressive number of local contributors. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to put in the time needed to serve his neighbors, and the residents of his district are responding enthusiastically.

David is the third openly gay candidate that TEP PAC has endorsed. In 2007, we endorsed Shane Burkett for Metro Council District 12 as well as Keith Durbin, who served as the District 18 Council Member. David has expressed a strong commitment to equality that stems not only from his personal story, but from his desire to represent one of the most progressive areas of the State. He understands that there is not a separation between the task of serving all his constituents and advancing equality. For these reasons, he has received our endorsement.

We would also like to acknowledge the clear commitment to equality articulated by candidates John Ray Clemmons, Stephenie Dodson, and Kristine LaLonde. In particular, we are grateful for the longstanding and active work for equality exhibited by Kristine LaLonde. It is obvious that District 18 is fortunate to have so many good candidates running for this seat.

If you live in District 18, we ask you to vote for David. We ask the entire statewide community to support him in his bid for Metro Council. You can find out how by clicking here http://www.glasgow18.com/contribute/ . If you live in Nashville, we ask you to consider volunteering in the campaign. Learn more by clicking here http://www.glasgow18.com/volunteer/ .

Let’s all do our part to help David get elected.

Yours,

Jenny Ford

Chair, TEP PAC

Out & About Newspaper endorses Barack Obama for President

The State's largest GLBT newspaper has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Eschewing a focus on the equality issues that some might expect, the paper explained their choice in terms of the troubles facing our economy:

The message started with Barack Obama. Americans need a change. For every American, this message is no longer simply a campaign slogan, but a reality. That's why we at Out & About Newspaper chose to endorse Barack Obama for president. We believe he represents the change we need. He will be the catalyst that moves America in a direction of economic stability and reminds the rest of the world exactly why we are a great country. This political season is not about military spending, the war in Iraq or even equal rights. According to recent CNN polls, the economy and health care represent 71 percent of the most important issues impacting our decisions as we pull the lever during this year's election. Our next president must represent the change needed to address these issues. Barack Obama does.

Tennessean endorses Barack Obama for President

Here's the text.

This newspaper believes Obama would be an inspiring choice at an extraordinary time for the nation. The country needs a fresh, energetic face in the White House. Every race for president is important, but the current confluence of events, including the war on terror, mountainous challenges in the economy and a growing strain upon the nation's health-care system make the current race a call for vigorous new approaches and enthusiasm.

Obama has managed to put a tone of optimism in his campaign at a time it would be very easy to be downhearted, worried and pessimistic. That characteristic alone goes a long way in demonstrating the kind of leadership the nation needs.