Sen. Jim Kyle

Kyle, Heron to head caucus

NASHVILLE — Senator Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, and Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, have been elected by members of the Tennessee Senate Democratic Caucus to serve as minority leader and caucus chairman respectively for the 106th General Assembly. Leadership elections were held during a caucus meeting in Nashville last night.

Also, Sen. Doug Jackson, D-Dickson, was re-elected as vice chairman and Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, was chosen as secretary/treasurer. All elections were by acclamation.

Kyle said that Senate Democrats look forward to tackling the many challenges facing the General Assembly during the upcoming session.“I’m honored that the caucus elected me to another term as their leader,” he said. “Senate Democrats will continue to lead on the important issues facing Tennessee. We’ll continue to fight to expand access to a quality education, to provide the affordable health care that every Tennessean deserves, and to balance the state budget even in these tough economic times. Senate Democrats are up to the task.”

Sen. Roy Herron

Herron said he is “ready to fight for the changes and the jobs that Tennesseans need so our children and all of us can prosper.” The Dresden Democrat said, “Governor McWherter taught me ‘If you don’t want to work, you ought not to hire out.’ Senate Democrats are ready to work for Tennesseans.”

Outgoing caucus chairman Sen. Joe Haynes, D-Goodlettsville, was thanked by the members for his 12 years of service. Haynes did not seek re-election.

“After 12 years as caucus chairman, I thought it was better to bring new blood and new enthusiasm to the position. It is my belief that Roy Herron is well prepared for the job, and I look forward to working with him to regain control of the Senate for the Democratic Party in Tennessee.” — Sen. Joe Haynes

Kyle has been a member of the Senate since 1983. Herron was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986 to fill the seat of his mentor, Governor Ned McWherter. He was elected to the Senate in 1996.

This site has already received national and state attention and recognition for excellence from the Democratic Party communications leaders. David W. Shelton, who designed the site, wanted to make sure the community of Clarksville and its military uniqueness was showcased throughout the site so that Clarksville-area voters would feel more like a part of this campaign.

Each section of the website includes local-interest information and provides a master link to the Obama for America national website. Of special interest is a “Get the Facts” section to help clear up some of the smear emails, lies, and false reports about Senator Obama.

“This website is now the area’s leading information resource for Clarksville-related facts and tips for the Obama campaign,” Shelton said.

The site also features a promotional page that features common-sized banners for local voters to show their own support. It’s especially designed for members who have popular community website pages — a MySpace page, a blog, or a website of their own, they’ll be able to show their support as a “Clarksvillian for Obama” by inserting a banner with code that’s available on the site.

The site also allows visitors to sign up to receive email updates on local and national grass roots events, and encourages visitors to tell their friends about what Shelton says is “the new, premiere resource for Democrats in the Clarksville area.”