RELEASE: TIRRC VOTES RELEASES SECOND SLATE OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR NASHVILLE METRO COUNCIL ELECTIONS
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2023
CONTACT
Luis Mata, luism@tirrcvotes.org
TIRRC VOTES RELEASES SECOND SLATE OF ENDORSEMENTS FOR NASHVILLE METRO COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Pro-immigrant group’s endorsements include Metro Council At-Large and priority Metro Council district candidates.
NASHVILLE— TIRRC Votes, one of the leading organizations in Tennessee capable of expanding the electorate and mobilizing the state’s progressive base voters, has announced its second slate of endorsements for the August 3 Nashville municipal elections.
On the heels of the announcement of their first round of endorsements, the group adds another 21 candidates to their list of endorsements, bringing their total number of endorsed candidates in the Metro Council race to 5 At-Large candidates and 20 district races.
“Plain and simple, the role of cities in protecting and investing in immigrant and refugee communities is so important,” said Lisa Sherman Luna, TIRRC Votes Executive Director. “The August 3 election is an opportunity for us to elect a Metro Council that will boldly and unapologetically fight for all of our rights. That’s why we are so excited to endorse these candidates who have committed to stand for our values, have the courage to fight for our communities, and build a Nashville that works for all of us.”
TIRRC Votes full list of endorsed candidates for Metro Council:
At-Large: Councilmember Delishia Porterfield
At-Large: Councilmember Zulfat Suara
At-Large: Arnold Hayes
At-Large: Olivia Hill
At-Large: Quin Evans Segall
District 1: Joy Kimbrough
District 2: Councilmember Kyontzé Toombs
District 4: Brian Sullivan
District 5: Councilmember Sean Parker
District 6: Clay Capp
District 7: Councilmember Emily Benedict
District 8: Deonte Harrell
District 9: Stephanie Montenegro
District 11: Eric Patton
District 13: Councilmember Russ Bradford
District 16: Councilmember Ginny Welsch
District 17: Terry Vo
District 19: Jacob Kupin
District 21: Councilmember Brandon Taylor
District 24: Brenda Gadd
District 25: Jeff Preptit
District 28: Travis London
District 29: Tasha Ellis
District 30: Councilmember Sandra Sepulveda
District 33: Councilmember Antoinette Lee
TIRRC Votes endorsements are based on several factors that aim to increase voter turnout among immigrant, Black, and Brown communities, and to build progressive political power in Tennessee. The group is also committed to being a champion for candidates with an immigrant background or a candidate of color that is a bold and unapologetic champion of our communities and our values, even when their races aren’t traditionally considered as competitive as other races. TIRRC Votes considers a range of factors when determining which candidates to endorse and where to invest in voter mobilization and turnout, and more information about the endorsement process can be found on their website.
TIRRC Votes first invested in the Nashville municipal elections in 2019, where 21 of their 25 endorsed candidates were elected to office. In that election, more than 60 canvassers from 25 different countries knocked out more than 14,000 doors and contacted 42,000 voters.
This year, TIRRC Votes will lead robust voter engagement efforts to increase immigrant voter participation and demonstrate the power of our communities in these key elections. Immigrants, who make up 12.5% of Nashville’s population, their children, and their allies make up a significant portion of the electorate. The group expects to run the largest GOTV operation in the county, knocking on doors and contacting every immigrant voter in the city by mail, phone, or text.
“Since 2018, TIRRC Votes has been investing in a long-term political strategy to shift power in Tennessee, and these Nashville municipal elections are a critical building moment for our movement,” said Pratik Dash, TIRRC Votes political director. “Our powerful team of 25 youth canvassers representing 10 countries will lead and continue our innovative combination of relational organizing, doorknocking, digital, phone, text, and mail to reach thousands of pro-immigrant voters across Nashville to ensure they are casting their votes for candidates that will work to make sure everyone is treated with dignity and given the opportunities they need to thrive.”
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TIRRC Votes was launched in 2018 to strengthen and expand our democracy by building power in immigrant and refugee communities and advocating for equitable and inclusive public policy. TIRRC Votes is affiliated with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC).
Paid for by TIRRC Votes PAC | Pratik Dash, Treasurer
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
P.O. Box 17149
Nashville TN 37217