The search for candidates to run as Democrats in positions on all levels of government continues.
On the state level, the four circuit court judges, public defender, and district attorney general will be on the ballot along with 70th District State Representative.
A congressional seat also will be on the ballot.
All Giles County Commissioners, county school board districts one, three, five, seven and four plus all county office holders except tax assessor and road superintendent will be on the ballot. The Fourth District seat is on the ballot due to a resignation.
Several positions in local municipalities also will be on the August ballot.
Maria Brewer, from the Tennessee Democratic Party, who sat in on the meeting via Zoom, said she would update the Giles County Democrats on the latest candidate qualifying deadline, which has been moved to April 7.
Voter Registration
Sharon Rush, from the Giles County Democrats, has been asked to lead a committee to write a grant proposal to the Tennessee Democratic Party for a coordinator to help with county voter registration.
Local Democrat Richard Dunnavant said that it was very important to reach out to older Democrats in nursing homes and the Senior Center.
“We’ve got a chance to get some of these people back,” he said.
“We’ve got a chance to pick up a few people here and a few people there.”
Reaching out to those who attend black churches also is important, Pulaski City Councilman Hardin Franklin said.
“If they (preachers) think it’s appropriate, they will pass it on to people in their congregations,” he said.
Franklin has supported confronting Republicans on issues, and Party Chairman Tom Gattis asked Franklin to let the party know of possible issues.
Other committee members are: Lisa Prokup, Carol McComiskey, Dunnavant, Roddy Fernandez, and Gattis, who asked Rush to lead the committee.
County Commission Update
The Giles County Commission has received a $4.5 million grant for expanding broadband in the county, according to County Commissioner Mike Cesarini.
Funds will be divided among three providers, he said.
Money will come from a $40 million grant. The state is encouraging counties to use the funds to support local police, he said. Another $5.7 million will go for problems with covid.
Local charities and non profits are encouraged to apply for county funding with the county financial management office before the April 15 deadline, said Cesarini, also a Giles County Democrat.
In other business:
• State Rep. Clay Doggett R-Pulaski, 70th District, indicated through an office spokesman, that he might meet with county democrats to give his views on matters of interest, according to Gattis.
The meeting could come later in this session of the State Legislature.
• Dunnavant said the state is asking people to apply to be election workers and he encouraged people to apply. Franklin, a member of the Giles County Democrats, will ask Maxie Trotter, a Democratic election commission representative, what the requirements are for election workers in Giles County.
General requirements to be a poll worker include being a registered voter age 18 or older, not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate and able to read and write English, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State’s office.
Government employees who can serve as poll workers include all city, county and Metro employees (unless working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot and state of Tennessee employees).
Federal employees are asked to consult their human resources department about eligibility, according to the secretary of state’s office.
• A “Donuts with the Democrats,” a Maury County Democratic Party meeting with a candidate forum, straw poll and caucus will begin at 10 a.m. , March 12 at the Maury Senior Citizens Center.
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