HuffPost's OffTheBus members produced these superdelegate profiles as part of its Superdelegate Investigation. You can find all profiles here.
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Inez Crutchfield
Nashville,Tennessee
Basic Bio
*Born in Wilson County, Watertown, TN
*Mother was teacher, father owned business, not a political family.
*Public schools in Lebanon, TN, through graduation
*Bachelor's and Master's both from TSU.
*76 years old at the time of the Dr. Haney show.
*Grew up in segregation: went to lebanon Wilson county "training school", which is what black schools were referred to at
that time.
*The following information was pulled primarily from two YouTube profiles done with Dr. James Haney in Nashville, TN.
*Master's Degree from TSU (ANI or A & I as it was then)
*Worked at TSU immed after receiving her Master's
Involvement in The Democratic Party:
*Became involved accidentally. Grew up in a Republican household
*Father was Republican all his life
*When Kennedy became president her mother changed to Democrat.
*Inez was called by friends in the League of Women Voters and YWCA. Friend was supposed to be non-partisan and could
participate in the Democratic party not so she called Inez. Inez asked if she could bring someone so she brought Carrie
Gentry. They dressed up in "hats and gloves" and went to the Hermitage to attend the meeting. Some blacks in the party. Some
wanted a "Negro Dem Party" but Inez and friend Lilla Moran Woods (sp) disagreed.
*1st elected to local office she did not specify, than state level Treasurer, Vice Chair, Dem state exec committee.,
*President of the Davidson county dem party, 19th Senatorial District in TN. Then elected to represent state on the national
committee--1st black elected to do that.
*19th senatorial district--she was asked to run, though she didn't think she'd win. Year? She did win and has been representing ever since.
*Has been to DNC convention 5 times.
*A civil rights pioneer, Crutchfield was first African-American member of Davidson County Democratic Women. The Nashville resident was an active participant in efforts to desegregate Nashville.http://video.aol.com/video-detail/inez-crutchfield-and-tennessee-democratic-party3/2511410512 Crutchfield has served on The Board of Trustees Heharry Medical College, and Senior Citizens Board,The Bethlehem Center Board, the board of The Arthritis Foundation Board,and Tennessee State University.On many of these boards,Crutchfield was the first African-American ever to serve.
*He is currently uncommitted.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Lois M. Deberry
Tennessee
Background Information
*Gender: Female
*Family: Husband: Charles Traughber
*1 Child.
*Birth Date: 05/05/1945
*Birthplace:
*Home City: Memphis, TN
*Religion: Baptist
Education:
*BA, Lemoyne-Owen College, 1971.
Professional Experience:
*Educator.
Political Experience:
*Representative, Tennessee State House of Representatives, 1972-present
*Speaker Pro Tempore, Tennessee State House of Representatives.
Organizations:
*Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
*Memphis Chapter, LINKS
*National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives
*National Conference of State Legislatures Executive Committee
*National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
*Pray Until Something Happens
*State Legislative Leaders Foundation.
*Caucuses/Non-Legislative Committees:
*Governor's Juvenile Justice Reform Commission
*Governor's Minority Business Development Advisory Committee
*President Emeritus, National Black Caucus of State Legislators
*Chair, Special Committee to Study Integration of Ex-Offenders into Mainstream of Society.
Committees:
*Calendar and Rules, Member
*Ethics, Member
*Finance, Ways and Means, Member
*Government Operations, Member
*Government Operations, Member
*Health and Human Resources, Member
*Rules, Member
*Subcommittee on Budget, Member
*Subcommittee on Public Health and Family Assistance, Member
*Subcommittee on Study, Chair
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Myron LoweryCity Councilman
Memphis, Tennessee
Basic Bio
* Sits on the Memphis, TN City Council. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Lowery is the only African American elected At-Large as well as from a Super District. He currently represents more than 330,000 Memphians http://www.thedmo.org/members/myron_lowery.html
* Councilman Lowery and his wife Mary have one daughter, Carol Reaves and two sons, Carlos Reed and Mickell Lowery. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Lowery has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from LeMoyne-Owen College, a Master of Science in Education from New York University and a Master of Science in Urban Education from the University of Tennessee. He holds an honorary degree from Southeastern College of Technology. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Professional: A former TV reporter. FedEx lists Mr. Lowery as a "Senior Communications Specialist." http://www.memphiswatchdog.org/HOWQUALIFIEDISOURCITYCOUNCIL.html
* Councilman Lowery was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame for his community service in 2007. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Served as Vice-President of the National Association of Black Journalists http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Has served as a board member of the Tennessee Municipal League, Tennessee Quality, Goals for Memphis, Leadership Memphis, Goodwill Boys Club, The Memphis Zoo, the Headstart Policy Council, and the Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Lowery is also a co-founder of "Salute to Fatherhood" and "Fathers Day Out". These programs honor deserving fathers annually during Father's Day weekend. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Has sued both his current and previous employer for racial discrimination. http://www.memphiswatchdog.org/HOWQUALIFIEDISOURCITYCOUNCIL.html
* For his efforts he has been honored by the Tennessee Jaycees as one of "Three Outstanding Young Men" in the state and the United States Jaycees honored him as one of "Ten Outstanding Young Men in America". http://www.thedmo.org/members/myron_lowery.html
Political interests and issues
* Chairman of the Education, Arts & Libraries and Planning and Zoning Committees. As well, he is the Council's representative as a board member for the Center City Commission. Councilman Lowery was also elected to serve on the Charter Commission. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Lowery was elected to the Memphis Charter Commission with 60% of the vote on August 3, 2006... http://pipl.com/directory/people/Myron/Lowery
* Having always been a leader in the black community, the question being raised in Memphis is: Here's what I want to know: why hasn't City Councilman Lowery, a superdelegate, done a "John-Lewis," switch his allegiance from Clinton to Obama because his constituents voted that way. http://www.blognetnews.com/Tennessee/feed.php?channel=33&iid=33753&y=2008&m=03&d=10
* In the past, Councilman Lowery has served as a board member of the Tennessee Municipal League, Tennessee Quality, Goals for Memphis, Leadership Memphis, Goodwill Boys Club, The Memphis Zoo, the Headstart Policy Council, and the Board of Trustees of LeMoyne-Owen College. http://www.thedmo.org/members/myron_lowery.html
* Has also helped to organize four gun buy-back programs where 1,887 guns have been turned in and destroyed. His "Done With Guns" seminar encourages young people to stay away from guns. http://www.thedmo.org/members/myron_lowery.html
Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Secretary, Treasurer, Vice- Chairman and Chairman of the Democratic Municipal Officials. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* Lowery is currently serving his second term as a member of the Democratic National Committee http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
* This Memphis City Councilman actually addressed the Democratic National Convention in 1996. /www.superdelegates.org/Myron_Lowery
* Chairman, of the Democratic Municipal Officials http://www.superdelegates.org/Myron_Lowery
Pledged Status
* City councilman Lowery announced over the weekend of February 4, 2008, that he would be endorsing the New York senator. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/Content?oid=oid%3A38879
Previous Campaign Work
* In 1996, he was a speaker at the Democratic National Convention. http://memphistn.gov/framework.aspx?page=712
Connections to Politicians, Leaders on State Level
* Tennessee Govenor Phil Bredesen proposed a superdelegate primary idea Wednesday, March 19, saying Democrats will suffer in November if the nominee isn't decided until the party's August convention. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080319/ap_on_el_pr/superdelegate_primary
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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*Bill Owen - Clinton delegate - A former state senator, Owen is a consultant and lobbyist who according to FEC filings owns
Assets Equity Group in Knoxville. He has hosted a cable access show in Knoxville.
*The following is taken directly from his resume--------------------
*William S. Owen is a former Tennessee State Senator and served 12 years in the Tennessee General Assembly.
*co-founder with Michael Leventhal, of the Tennessee Men's Health Network (2003).
*As a lobbyist, Mr. Owen successfully recommended amendments to the Medicare Reform Act of 2003, and the Balanced Budget Actof 1998.
*An amendment to the Health Care Reform Bill suggested by Mr. Owen was adopted by the Ways and Means Committee in 1996.
*He also successfully recommended amendments to the Medicare Act of 1996, the California Desert Protectgion Act of 1994.
*Mr. Owen first became involved in Washington lobbying in 1993, working to amend the Health Care Reform Bill of 1994.
*The amendment suggested by Mr. Owen was one of only 16 amendments adopted by the House Ways and Means Committee.
*During these years of public service, he was secretary of the Senate's Transportation Committee, Vice Chairman of the Education Committee, and Vice Chairman of the Majority Caucus.
*He was also an active member of the Southern Legislative Conference's Transportation Committee and the National Conference of State Legislature's Communications and Transportation Committee.
*Mr. Owen served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and is a 1972 graduate of the University of Tennessee.
*serves on the East Tennessee Regional Working Group of the Tennessee Department of Transportation
* Financial and Governmental Consultant
* BS University of Tennessee, 1972
STATE SENATE RECORD
*Served in the 96th, 95th, 94th, 93rd, 92nd and 89th General Assemblies,including as Vice Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Secretary of the
*Senate Transportation Committee, Vice Chair of the Rules Committee and Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus.
*Member of the Transportation Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures,
*chaired sub-committees on School Discipline and Asbestos Related Health Problems.
*Formerly named Legislator of the Year by Tennessee Elementary School Guidance Association,
*Tennessee State Employees Association and Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Knoxville.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Elisa Parker
Franklin, Tennessee
Basic Bio
*Age 44
*Married to James H. Parker
*Three sons
*Born in Pulaski, Tennessee
*Currently works as a real estate Agent for Pilkerton Real Estate
Involvement in Democratic Party
*She has been active in party politics for 20 to 25 years
*She is currently the Vice-Chair Tennessee State Democratic Party.
*She was elected to the position in 2004 and has been re-elected since.
*Very committed to party organization and goals.
Involvement in 2008 election - campaign appearances, statements
*Gave $1,000 to John Edwards.
*When Edwards dropped out she converted fairly quickly to Hillary Clinton.
*Committed to Clinton and will be contributing to her campaign. She is backing Clinton because of Mrs. Clinton's experience. Mrs. Parker echoes the Clinton mantra of experience, ready to lead from day one and feels that Mrs. Clinton has been vetted, "I don't think we can afford problems from unknown facts in Obama's background.
*Mrs. Parker believes, "the superdelegates were put in place to balance the party out. It gives us an opportunity to weigh in. Luckily," she says, "I am in a state where the primary vote agrees with my own opinion."
*Mrs. Parker has been contacted by Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama.
Contributions to Candidates
*$250 to Jonathan Scott Miller, 12/11/97
*$250 to Bart Gordon 6/22/98
*$250 Al Gore 6/30/99
*$300 Tennessee Democratic Party 7/8/99
*$250 Tennessee Democratic Party 3/27/2000
*$300 Tenessee Democratic Party 6/21/2001
*$500 James Cooper 7/11/2002
*$250 Bob Clement 8/1/2002
*$500 John Edwards 6/19/2003
*$1000 Tennesee Democratic Party 6/19/2003
*$1000 Tennessee Democratic Party 2/25/2004
*$500 John Kerry 8/5/2004
*$500 Kerry Victory 8/5/2004
*$250 James Cooper 10/28/2004
*$200 Tennessee Democratic Party 11/29/2004
*$1500 Tennessee Democratic Party 5/24/2005
*$1000 Harold Ford Jr. 2/27/2006
*$1500 Tennessee Democratic Party 7/6/2006
*$1000 Harold Ford Jr. 8.2.2006
*$1000 Harold Ford Jr. 1/23/2007
*$1000 John Edwards 5/16/2007
*$1000 Tennessee Democratic Party 12/12/2007
Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
*Her father was involved in the Democratic party, mostly behind the scenes related to agricultural issues.
Previous Campaign Work
*She has worked for Jim Sasser.
*Has been active in the campaigns of, and has fund raised for, Clinton, Gore, and Kerry.
This profile was produced through HuffPost's OffTheBus Superdelegate Investigation. All profiles will be donated to the Superdelegate Transparency Project. If you have information that should be added to this profile, please join the Superdelegate Transparency Project and update the profile there.
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Grey Sasser
Tennessee
Basic Bio
* Grey Sasser received his A.B. from Princeton University (1991), a M.Sc. in Economic History from the London School of Economics (1994) and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University (1998). He also studied Chinese at Beijing University and is continuing his study of Chinese at the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute. http://www.legalspan.com/catalog2/faculty.asp?UserID=20051213325567103035%20%20%20%20%20%20&OwnerColor=%23009999
* As an attorney with the Nashville office of Miller and Martin, PLLC he has concentrated on corporate and international law, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, securities and venture capital investments. He has also worked with local entrepreneurs, advising on general business issues and entity formation.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_99733.asp
Involvement in the Democratic Party
* Gray Sasser has served as legal counsel for the Tennessee Democratic Party for the last four years.
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=5935917
* In January 2007, Gray Sasser Elected State Democratic Party Chairman By a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Democratic Party, Gray Sasser, a Nashville attorney, was elected Saturday to serve as chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party for the 2007-2008 term. He will take the reigns from outgoing Chairman Bob Tuke, who chose not to seek another term at the party's helm.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_99733.asp
Political Interests and Issues
* "The 38-year-old Sasser said he looks forward to supporting Gov. Phil Bredesen's agenda, including "improving the state's education system and expanding access to affordable health care for all Tennesseans." He said, "Voters in all of Tennessee's 95 counties demonstrated their commitment to good government and finding common-sense solutions to those problems affecting average Tennesseans by voting for Governor Bredesen. I appreciate the Executive Committee for entrusting me with this important task of working with Tennessee Democrats to promote the Governor's vision for a new Tennessee." http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_99733.asp
Involvement in 2008 Election
* Article by Grey Sasser: "While two Democratic contenders continue to battle for the nomination, citizens from across the country continue to flock to the Democratic banner. Here in Tennessee, more than 60,000 more people voted in the Democratic presidential primary than in the Republican contest. Everyone seems to be watching the Democratic Party's nomination fight, and we welcome all the attention. With the attention has come some confusion. Sunday morning's talking heads continue to conjure notions of smoke-filled rooms adding to the mystery by invoking the politically magic powers of the shadowy superdelegates. As chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, I am a superdelegate, although as I am reminded by my friends and family I am not that super. I certainly have no magic powers when it comes to de-icing the windshield on a frosty morning or making sure there is food in the refrigerator on a Sunday evening. Like the uncommitted delegates to the Republican National Convention, I am a superdelegate by virtue of being a member of my party's national committee. Along with the majority of Tennessee's other members to the Democratic National Committee, the Tennessee Democratic Party's Executive Committee elected me to be the DNC's national committee by virtue of being chairman of our party. Our executive committee is composed of one woman and one man from each state senatorial district in Tennessee, and these hard-working folks appear on the ballot every four years. Five of our other superdelegates appear on the ballot every two years because they are members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and another superdelegate, Gov. Phil Bredesen, remains the most popular Democrat in our state. Thus, indirectly, all of those independents and even Republicans who voted for Gov. Bredesen, Lincoln Davis, Bart Gordon, Jim Cooper, John Tanner or Steve Cohen have a say in deciding who gets the Democratic nomination. Vice President Al Gore is also a superdelegate, as are all former Democratic presidents and vice presidents. By appearing on the ballot, most of our superdelegates are directly accountable to Tennessee voters. For all the talk of smoke-filled rooms or backroom deals, our superdelegates were all elected at open meetings or at the ballot box. Two unpledged superdelegates will be elected by our state executive committee at an open meeting on March 8. All Tennessee Democrats are eligible for election to these slots. Anyone interested in running needs to submit a simple one-page form that is available on our Web site at www.tndp.org by noon on March 7. I hope those Republicans who would cast aspersions by saying this admittedly confusing process is held in smoke-filled rooms would stop by March 8. They might just learn something."
http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080217/OPINION01/802170375/1007/OPINION
* The state party chairman Gray Sasser is uncommitted. As the importance of superdelegates has escalated in recent weeks, campaigns and outside groups have stepped up lobbying efforts. High profile supporters - including Chelsea Clinton and her father - and the candidates themselves have been working the phones. Party chairman Sasser said the phone calls have not swayed him. "The people who are going to have the most sway over me are going to be people here in the state," he said
http://www.mgwashington.com/index.php/news/article/tennessee-super-delegates-still-deciding/557/
Family's Involvement in Politics, the Democratic Party
* Grey is the son of James Sasser. A Democrat, Sasser served three terms as a United States Senator from Tennessee (1977-1995) and was Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. From 1995 to 1999, during the Clinton Administration, he was the United States Ambassador to the People's Republic of China.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Sasser