I’m Ruby Powell-Dennis. I’m a mom, a former elementary school administrator, and a community organizer. I grew up in a rural community where I learned the values of hard work, helping others, and giving back. I am proud to be running to represent State Senate - District 31, which includes Arlington, Lakeland, parts of Bartlett, Collierville, Cordova, Germantown, and East Memphis near U of M up to Poplar and Highland.
Read MoreShelby County has one of its most important elections of our lifetimes coming up. Yes, I know every presidential election we are fed similar sentiments, and, in a lot of ways, it is typically true because of the President’s power to appoint Supreme Court Justices. While we will not have another presidential election until 2024, we go to the polls to elect our District Attorney in Shelby County this year.
Read MoreSee the full list of Future901’s endorsed progressive candidates for Shelby County’s 2022 Primary Election.
Read MoreFive years ago, I sat on Desi Franklin’s porch asking what could be done to affect progressive change in Tennessee. We were both frustrated at the direction of our city and state and felt individually powerless in changing things. We had the simple idea that no one of us could ever compete with the big-money interests that stifle change. However, a group of us pooling our time and money could be an agent of progress. By and large, I believe Desi and I were right.
Read MoreFuture901 is excited to endorse Heidi Kuhn for Criminal Court Clerk. We believe this is what leadership and progressive political service looks like. It is often said there is no Democratic or Republican way to run these offices, Heidi’s administration of the Clerk’s office has shown this is not true.
Read MoreIt took American suffragists 72 years to win the right to vote, which was the greatest nonviolent revolution in the history of our country. It took us five years to complete the "Equality Trailblazers" monument at the University of Memphis law school facing the Mississippi River.
Read MoreThe most important race on the 2022 Shelby County ballot is the District Attorney’s race. Even more important than County Mayor, because of the DA’s wide, single-handed power. The DA has broad discretion over who to prosecute, what to charge, what plea agreements to accept, and what sentencing recommendations to make.
Read MoreMoms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America work to prevent gun violence. Moms filed an Extreme Risk Protection Order (Red Flag) bill in the TN General Assembly earlier in 2021. 19 states and DC have enacted ERPOs, most since 2018 following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Florida. Legislators in those states understood that perpetrators without guns cannot easily kill.
Read MoreAs one of Shelby County’s ten Judicial Commissioners, I must decide whether or not a person should have an order of protection against another person. Our office reviews and makes decisions on thousands of petitions every year in an effort to provide abuse victims legal protection from their abuser. Although we rarely know the outcome of individual cases, we are all keenly aware that an order of protection is an important and powerful tool for helping victims escape abusive situations.
Read MoreFuture 901 has been instrumental in cultivating grassroots successes across our community. They have recruited and supported candidates in our most important swing seats. They have created opportunities for the wider community to plug in and participate in electoral politics. I am pleased to have received their endorsement. This is an important electoral season and Future901 has demonstrated time and time again they understand this process.
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