What Is 99 N’ Counting?
Earlier this month, Washington Wizards Point Guard John Wall sat down with former Washington Wizards Forward Caron Butler to discuss a myriad of topics including politics. During their conversation, Wall expounded upon his thoughts about the importance of local elections.
“Our voice turns into votes, and our vote should go to a candidate that stands and fights for the issues that affects our communities and our culture. People don’t understand it’s not just our Presidential elections…it doesn’t start there, it all starts in your city, your state, where you’re at,” he said.
Often times, entertainment media personalities and outlets will echo Wall’s sentiments. However, our industry often does a poor job of covering those local elections and informing readers about the ins and outs of said elections. In an effort to not only educate others, but also ourselves we have launched the “99 And Counting” series. The goal of this series is not to sway voters in one direction or another, but rather inform readers about who’s running for resources and help them find resources they can use to learn more. Each day, we’ll take a look at a local election in the 100 days leading up to November 3, 2020. Today, we start with the congress race in New York’s 19th Congressional District.
What Are Candidates Running For?
Candidates are running to represent Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District. Each representative serves a two-year term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Among other things, representatives create bills and resolutions while serving on committees. Representatives also vote on important matters such as impeachment.
What is Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District?
Georgia’s 5th Congressional District consists of Davidson and Dickson counties and a portion of Cheatham County .
When Is Election Day?
The Democratic primary will take place on August 6, 2020. Unfortunately, the Republican primary has been cancelled according to Ballotpedia. The general election will take place on November 3, 2020.
How Can I Register To Vote?
To learn more about how to register to vote in the state of Tennessee, visit the state’s secretary of state website.
Who’s Running?
Jim Cooper
Party: Democratic
Bio: “Congressman Jim Cooper was born and raised in Tennessee. He and Martha, his wife of twenty eight years, live in Nashville and have three children. A New York Times columnist recently called him ‘the House’s conscience, a lonely voice for civility in this ugly era’ and a ‘tart-tongued moderate’ who ‘seeks bipartisanship on fiscal matters and other issues in a polarized political climate.’ USA Today named him one of the ‘Brave 38’ of a ‘tiny band of heroes’ in Congress for his work on a bipartisan budget plan,” his campaign writes.
Learn More: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Keeda Haynes
Party: Democratic
Bio: “I was born and raised in Franklin Tennessee. I’ve lived in Nashville, TN since 2006, and today I work as a Legal Advisor at Free Hearts, a Non-Profit Organization led by formerly incarcerated women. I offer help and support to other formerly incarcerated women, and to children whose parents have been incarcerated or deported. Additionally, I educate our community of families on various legal issues and assist with Free Heart’s legislative agenda,” her campaign writes.
Learn More: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Joshua Rawlings
Party: Democratic
Bio: “Joshua Rawlings knows that now is the time for strong, ambitious leadership. As a small business owner and Nashville musician, Joshua embodies the spirit of collaboration and creativity that makes this little piece of Tennessee known across the globe. The son of a left-leaning mother and an intellectually conservative father, Joshua understands that no ideology has a monopoly on good ideas. He has fought in the state legislature for rural broadband access, stood up for LGBTQ+ rights, and is currently leading a movement to demand mail-in voting in Tennessee,” his campaign writes.