Democrats celebrate momentum at Jonesborough Town Hall

Washington County Democrats gathered Saturday at the Jonesborough Visitors Center for a town hall focused on the party's recent gains, its local organizing efforts and its candidates seeking house at the state and federal levels. The event was emceed by Washington County Democratic Party Chairman Sylvain Bruni, who pointed to the Aug. 6 election as evidence that Democrats are gaining ground in traditionally Republican Washington County. "They said not to even bother. Guess what? We bothered," Bruni said. "And we persisted, and we organized, and we knocked on doors, and we sent emails and texts and phone calls—and you showed up everywhere in the county, so kudos to you." Bruni said Democrats flipping three seats in the county commision during the election was monumental, crediting the party's growing infrastructure and emphasis on direct voter contact. "We proved things can change," he said. "We proved that good that the "good ol' boys club" can be beaten at the ballot box" — referring to the party's ability to overcome Republican advantages. Sarah Jayne Della Vecchia, Democratic candidate for Tennessee House District 7, focused her remarks on health care, housing and the Department of Children's Services. A registered nurse for six years and former foster parent, Della Vecchia said her experiences shaped her priorities. "I've seen what that means for people that need you," she said, referring to gaps in health care, housing and child welfare. Della Vecchia called for expanding Medicaid, establishing mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and creating a coordinated statewide response to addiction. She also advocated for more affordable housing and reforms to DCS, including greater mental health support for children in foster care. Brad Batt, candidate for House District 6, emphasized the need for government to respond to ordinary Tennesseans rather than corporations and wealthy interests. Batt, a software engineer and small-business owner, also pointed to his experience building a business as part of his preparation for public office. Batt focused heavily on moving forward in Tennessee. "We're moving forward to health care for all," Batt said. "We're moving forward to wages that give you life that you can afford, rent that isn't exorbitant, and not having two or three corporations crush the entire country." Kristi Burke, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee's 1st Congressional District, described herself as a political newcomer who became involved after using her online platform to encourage people to become more engaged in government. "We can't just talk about it. We can't just complain. We have to get to work," Burke said. Burke emphasized health care as a human right, prioritizing public education and tax dollars actually going back into the communities that pay them, while urging Democrats to continue building the grassroots momentum she said has emerged across East Tennessee. "The everyday person, you do have power, you do have a voice, and we can make a difference if we all get together and fight for it," Burke said.