This November, the choice is clear.

by Jan Lentz

On one hand, you have the Republican-financed incumbent, Rep. John Deberry, who is running as an independent. The Democratic Party ousted him earlier this year in response to a ballot challenge I filed after his vote with Republicans against funding for public schools in Shelby County – a measure which has now been affirmed as unconstitutional by the Tennessee Court of Appeals.

While holding his seat in District 90 for 25 years, Deberry has represented the interests of Republicans, to the detriment of his own constituents, for more than two decades. Since 1995, his loyalty to the Republican Party has deepened, and his own constituents in District 90 have been left further behind.

His record of siding with Republicans is extensive. He voted against Karen Camper, a Black Democrat from Memphis, in favor of Glen Casada­­­­‑‑a Republican legislator who later resigned amid scandal‑‑for Speaker of the House. He votes against women’s reproductive rights. He was the deciding vote against Democrats, siding with Republicans in favor of the school voucher bill.

Deberry’s communion with Republicans has paid dividends; so much so, that Republicans are not even running a candidate against him in this race. He *is* their candidate. This is underscored by two facts: First, upon his ouster from his professed party, Deberry’s Republican friends in the state legislature scrambled to amend state election rules, allowing him to file and run as an independent in an effort to keep their hold on the seat. Second, he spoke to the Shelby County Republican Party as their invited guest, consistently referring to the crowd as “we.”

On the other hand, there’s Democrat Torrey Harris, a young Black progressive leader who will defend public education by fighting for the resources our children and their educators need. Torrey Harris opposes vouchers because they take taxpayer funds away from public schools and put those funds into private schools.

Torrey Harris believes that healthcare is a human right, not a privilege, and will fight to ensure that the residents of District 90 get the healthcare they need, including mental healthcare. Torrey Harris believes in human rights and equality, and will fight to protect the rights of the residents of District 90, regardless of race, gender, age, national origin, or sexual orientation.

Torrey Harris supports the rights of women to make their own choices regarding reproductive healthcare and will fight to ensure women have unrestricted access to affordable care, including reproductive services. The stakes couldn’t be higher and the choice couldn’t be more clear. This November, I hope you will join me in supporting Democrat Torrey Harris for District 90.

Candidate Torrey Harris for House District 90 Shelby County Tennessee