RELEASE: IMMIGRANT CHAMPIONS DOMINATE TENNESSEE PRIMARY ELECTIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2024
CONTACT
Hamp Price, hamp@tirrcvotes.org
IMMIGRANT CHAMPIONS DOMINATE TENNESSEE PRIMARY ELECTIONS
TIRRC Votes Endorsed Candidates Win In House Districts 49, 60, 75, And 96
NASHVILLE— Progressive candidates who have vowed to advance the rights of immigrant and refugee communities in the Tennessee General Assembly won primary races Thursday in house districts 60 (Nashville) and 96 (Memphis). Additionally, candidates in house districts 49 (La Vergne) and 75 (Clarksville) did not face primary challenges and have advanced to the general elections in November.
In House District 60, Shaundelle Brooks won a tight primary to represent Nashville communities in Hermitage, Donelson, and Northeast Old Hickory. A Guyanese immigrant, Brooks is a powerful advocate for the type of change deeply needed in Tennessee. “From gun safety to living wages, Shaundelle deeply understands the need for policies that give every Tennessean the opportunity to thrive,” said Judith Clerjeune, Advocacy Director at TIRRC Votes. TIRRC Votes canvassers knocked on 2,224 doors in 12 hours to help secure Brooks's victory.
In House District 96, Gabby Salinas won a crowded primary to represent Memphis communities in Cordova, Sylvan Heights, and Elmore Park. Salinas immigrated to Memphis from Bolivia as a young girl to receive life saving cancer treatment at Saint Jude's and is now a fierce advocate for Medicaid expansion and accessible healthcare, public education, livable wages, and safe communities. She is the first progressive Latina to be elected to the Tennessee state legislature. “Gabby is a testament to what's possible when we invest in giving people opportunities–opportunities to migrate, to seek care, to learn, and to thrive. We're proud to have her as a champion for our communities on Capitol Hill,” said Judith Clerjeune, Advocacy Director at TIRRC Votes. Salinas was TIRRC Votes's first endorsement after the group's founding in 2018. This cycle, TIRRC Votes invested in Salinas’s race, enabling the campaign to hire immigrant staff members to get out the vote in Black and brown communities, along with knocking on doors to speak with voters in the district.
Brooks and Salinas are both running to represent traditionally Democratic-held seats in the General Assembly. While Brooks will face a Republican challenger in the general election, Salinas does not have an opponent, securing her seat in the state House.
Additionally, two endorsed candidates will have the potential to reshape the makeup of the state legislature by flipping traditionally Republican-held districts.
In House District 49, Luis Mata is challenging a Republican incumbent to represent Middle Tennessee communities including Eastern Nolensville, Southern La Vergne, Northern Smyrna, and Northern Murfreesboro. If elected, Mata promises to fight for immigrant rights, gun violence prevention, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ rights in order to build a Tennessee where all can belong. The proud son of a Mexican immigrant, he would be the first Latino elected to the Tennessee State Legislature. “Luis is ready to step into the state legislature and fight for our communities on day one. As an immigrant himself, Luis knows firsthand the barriers our communities face, and he is ready to fight for a Tennessee where everyone can thrive, no matter who you are or where you come from,” said Judith Clerjeune, Advocacy Director at TIRRC Votes.
In House District 75, Allie Phillips is running in a traditionally Republican-held district to represent communities in West Clarksville and part of Cumberland City. A Tennessee native raised in Ashland City, Phillips has become a powerful advocate for reproductive rights, fully funded, safe public schools and LGBTQ+ rights. “We need Allie fighting for Tennessee families in the state legislature. From fighting for reproductive rights to fully funding our public schools, Allie promises to be a force for change for all Tennesseans,” said Judith Clerjeune, Advocacy Director at TIRRC Votes.
If they win their elections in November, Mata and Phillips will help chip away at the current GOP supermajority in the Tennessee General Assembly, a key barrier to passing policies that help working-class and Black and brown communities thrive.
“These four candidates represent the best of Tennessee, and they promise to be powerful advocates for Black and brown communities, reproductive rights, and working-class families,” said Clerjeune. “It's time our state legislature truly represents the communities it serves, and we're proud to endorse these champions and get out the vote to ensure they win their elections in November.”
TIRRC Votes will release additional endorsements for the November 5 general election in the coming weeks.
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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).