MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Democratic Party voted to remove a state representative from the party's primary ballot over allegations that he had Republican donor financing and voted contrary to the party.
Rep. John DeBerry Jr. was removed from the August 2020 primary ballot in a 41-18 vote with two abstentions.
DeBerry has served as a Memphis Democrat for 26 years.
An April 1 complaint challenged DeBerry's status as a Democrat. The letter accused DeBerry of voting against his caucus's position and receiving donations from organizations and individuals who typically support only Republican candidates.
DeBerry can appeal the vote.
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DeBerry sent this statement to Local 24 News: “The Tennessee Democratic Party has decided that a 26-year Representative that spent 12 years as a committee chairman, conducted himself with integrity, served the party well, sponsored meaningful legislation and built bridges across the aisle to get bills passed is no longer a Democrat. And so, I’m not. I’m appreciative to all the folk who have supported me through my time in Legislature and want to give them my thanks.”
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TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton statement: “Mary Mancini claims removing the longest serving democrat elected official in Tennessee, John Deberry, a civil rights icon and ordained minister from the democratic primary ballot was the best way to protect her party and the values the party stands for. Obviously, Ms. Mancini’s new totalitarian party aligns with dictatorships around the world. You shall vote for the new Democratic agenda in totality or we will remove you for voting your beliefs.
The unspeakable actions of Mary Mancini and a few to silence the voices of 64,000 voters in Rep. Deberry’s district shows their new winning approach in the District 90 primary - if you can’t beat him, then kick him off the ballot.“
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TN House Democratic Leader Karen Camper statement: “I am very disappointed by the actions taken by the executive committee of the TNDP on Wednesday. Rep. John DeBerry has represented the citizens of his district for 26 years and worked for the betterment of Memphis and Shelby County. While we may not always agree on issues, I know that he is an honorable man.
Our caucus shares core values on many issues, and one of the core values is that we are the voice of the people we represent. Rep. DeBerry qualified to run for election as a Democrat, as did others in the 90th district. The appropriate place to settle this issue is at the ballot box. The people of his district have sent John DeBerry to Nashville to be their voice 13 times. If someone believes that their voice and values are a better fit for a district, I encourage them to file for office and make their argument to the voters. Attempting to nullify the choice of the people of the 90thdistrict is not the way to do it.”