I’m writing today asking for your vote. To answer your next question: no, I’m not running for office. But the local Democratic Party is, and we need your vote in the May 3 primary election.
Did you know that around thirty percent (and growing) of Sumner County consistently votes Democratic in federal and state races? Imagine what we could accomplish if we started using that voting power to impact our county and local elections by voting for the Democratic Party every election, every time!
In the May 3 primary, vote for your values, vote for the Democratic party, and pull a Democratic ballot. Even if you don’t have a Democrat running in your districts for County Commission or School Board, you should still pull a Democratic ballot. You can write in names or select “no qualified candidate.” The power is in making the choice and pulling the Dem ballot.
If you’re struggling with making this decision, I get it. It can feel like voting for the moderate, less extreme candidate on the Republican ballot is a good option, but it’s not. During this election cycle, we’ve seen moderate Republicans forget the moderates within their own party and the Democrats who helped get them elected in previous years. We’ve seen them pander to the extreme far right instead of appealing across the aisle to win our votes.
If you’re tempted to vote for the least offensive candidate on the Republican ballot, stop and ask yourself, “What have they done to win my vote? How have they spoken up in support of the things that I value? How have their votes in the past reflected my values?”
Democrats have influence in Sumner County, and it’s time to start using it to position ourselves to turn our county purple (a more even mix of Republican and Democrats in elected office) in the next three election cycles. If we’re ever going to get there, we have to stop giving away our votes to elect Republicans.
Early voting begins tomorrow, Wednesday, April 13, and I encourage you to get out and vote. Change is coming to Sumner County, and it starts with this primary election. We are stronger than even we realize, and it’s time to show our strength.
Make your vote count. Choose the Democratic ballot.
Jessie McKinney
Chair of the Sumner County Democratic Party
