Say Her Name, Say Her Name
Posted on October 22, 2008 at 11:15 amRosalind Kurita is not on the ballot in her race for re-election to the state Senate yet the Democratic Party wants to remind you that she is running — and that she allegedly violated campaign finance law:
According to a complaint filed today with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, Sen. Rosalind Kurita used her political action committee (PAC) to funnel more than $25,000 in illegal contributions to her Senate campaign.
According to the sworn complaint filed by Ricky Wallace of Montgomery County, Kurita in August and September illegally used her Kurita Majority PAC to pay for campaign expenses during that period, including: $17,070 for direct mail, $7,917 for legal services, and $665 for media consulting. Under state law, PACs can only provide up to $7,500 in contributions for a Primary or General Election.
“Unfortunately, Sen. Kurita is so power-hungry that she’s flagrantly violating Tennessee’s campaign finance law,” said Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Gray Sasser. “She broke the law by crossing the one hundred foot boundary during the primary, and now, she’s cheating by illegally using PAC funds to cover her campaign expenses.”
Interesting that the Party would call attention to Kurita’s PAC which was created to establish a Democratic Majority in the legislature. A rare move for a woman folks now paint as a crypto-Republican.
So, not only are Democrats calling attention to the fact that residents of the Senate’s 22nd District can in fact vote for Rosalind Kurita via write-in, they are calling attention to the fact that Rosalind Kurita’s vote for Ron Ramsey in 2007 may not have been exactly what it looked like at first glance.
Write-In Ros Nabs Another Endorsement
Posted on October 16, 2008 at 11:00 amFrom a press release:
Senator Rosalind Kurita (D-Clarksville) received a major endorsement from the Tennessee State Employees Association (TSEA) in her write-in campaign for the State Senate.
“From those state employees who provide disaster relief, to those who work with children in foster care, and from those who protect our highways to those who care for the mentally ill and developmentally disabled, our state is fortunate to have so many dedicated state workers,” said Sen. Kurita. “I am honored to receive this endorsement and appreciate their support.”
The Tennessee State Employees Association represents hundreds of state employees in the 22nd Senatorial District, which includes Montgomery, Cheatham and Houston counties.
SEE ALSO:
The National Rifle Association
The Clarksville-Montgomery County Voters Council
How Do You Write-In A Woman Like Kurita?
Posted on October 9, 2008 at 11:44 amI’ll just let her tell you:
The Tennessee Democratic Party voided State Senator Rosalind Kurita’s state-certified 19 vote election victory in a Sept. 13th meeting of the executive committee. She filed an official write candidate two days later.
On September 18th, a tri-county convention of Democratic executive committee members in Montgomery, Cheatham and Houston Counties voted 61-4 to install her opponent Tim Barnes as the nominee.
These ads started running Monday on cable television throughout the 22nd state Senate district.
SEE ALSO: A slightly different variation on the ad.
MORE ON CONTROVERSY KURITA:
The Show Trial Of Rosalind Kurita
Write-in Ros?
Write-in Ros: It’s On, Son
Reports And Reaction To The Nomination Of Tim Barnes
Did Barnes Run Out The Clock On Ros?
GOP Committee Chairs To Host Fundraiser For Kurita
Kurita’s Election Stolen By “Union Thugs”
Barnes Campaign Treasurer Voted In Four GOP Primaries Before August 7th
Wait? So Kurita’s Ramsey Vote Did Factor In?
Posted on October 7, 2008 at 6:54 amGray Sasser simply will not quit striking back at Rosalind Kurita for showing the temerity to challenge the political maneuverings by Tennessee Democrats which overturned a certified election:
“In fact, the only backroom deal in this long, sordid saga was cut long before the Aug. 7 primary, when Sen. Kurita went back on her word to her Democratic colleagues and supported Republican Ron Ramsey for Senate speaker and lieutenant governor,” Sasser said. “Unfortunately, this process has become marked by accusations and, frankly, falsehoods. Sen. Kurita had the opportunity to present her case at an open meeting of the state executive committee, and according to rules that both sides agreed to before the proceedings.”
K-U-R-I-T-A
Posted on October 5, 2008 at 6:06 pmClarksville Online gives you the step-by-step guide to writing the name of Senator Rosalind Kurita on your November 4th general election ballot:
You will cast your vote for President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative and then State Senator. You will see Tim Barnes name as the Democratic nominee. Directly under his name you will see WRITE IN. Push the button beside WRITE IN.
1. The screen will change and the letters of the alphabet (A-Z) will appear. Place an X beside each letter: K – U – R – I – T – A . You will see KURITA spelled out in the middle of the screen.
2. Once you have typed KURITA just press the done button at the bottom to accept and return to the former screen.
3. You should now see Kurita with an X beside it underneath Tim Barnes name on the ballot. You can now continue on with the remainder of the ballot.Remember – you can always ask an election worker to help you with this process.
College Republicans Join Kurita Campaign As Coordinators
Posted on September 29, 2008 at 6:37 pmA message has just been sent out to members of “Let’s Keep Kurita”, an open Facebook group, by the Vice President of the Austin Peay College Republicans, Cody Schmidt, in which he reveals his role as a campaign coordinator for Senator Rosalind Kurita.
My name is Cody Fisher-Schmidt and I am currently working for the Senator Kurita Campaign. Tomorrow at 4:30 in The Morgan University Center on Austin Peay, State Representative Philip Johnson is stopping by to speak about his campaign and will be asking for help as well as speaking on Senator Kurita’s Campaign. If you can make it out that would be awesome! Thanks for your time
Post Politics confirms that Schmidt is indeed on the Kurita campaign payroll. Conservative blogger and MTSU student Matthew Hurtt is also listed on the page as a coordinator and volunteers for the campaign, mostly on weekends.
Hurtt previously served as the Campaign Operations Director for Rep. Donna Rowland.
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Ros Against The Machines
Posted on September 26, 2008 at 5:24 pmEd Cromer explains the machinery that Senator Rosalin Kurita will be up against in her write-in bid for her state senate seat:
In the meantime, of course, Kurita seeks to win the election as a write-in candidate. Perhaps aiding her cause is the fact that Cheatham County will be using paper ballots and an optical-scan system during the 15-day early voting period, which begins Oct. 15.
On Election Day, Cheatham and Houston counties will use E-Slate machines, which allow voters to turn a dial to select letters for write-in votes. Montgomery County uses the MicroVote Infinity machines, on which voters may push a button and then type in a name.
But Kurita has relatively little time to raise money and get mail out educating voters on the procedures.
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Gamesmanship: Did Barnes Run Out The Clock On Ros?
Posted on September 21, 2008 at 12:32 pmTim Barnes on why he took the steps he did to become the Democratic nominee in state Senate District 22:
“State law also advised there could have been another primary, but there was not time to have another primary,” Barnes said. “The only other option was to have this process. …
“After that process I was overwhelmingly named the nominee.”
But why was there no time? Tim Barnes lost the Democratic Primary on August 7th. That election was verified on August 18.
Instead of immediately filing to contest the election Barnes waited til the following Monday, August 25th, the last of five possible possible days, to file.
That week, of course, the movers and shakers of the Democratic Party were in Denver for the national convention and were unable the rule on the petition.
This timing set up a situation where the Democratic Party was up against a clock. Ballots had to be printed and sent out overseas by September 20th, yesterday. The Democratic Party did not hold there first hearing on this matter until Sept 13, seven days before ballots had to go out.
This not only ensured that there could be no additional primary, it also ensured that Kurita could not have received relief through the courts in time to change the November ballot.
So the question is: was this all coincidence or did Tim Barnes purposefully run out the clock in order to give the proceedings a sense of urgency and to provide Kurita little room to maneuver once he and his allies in the Democratic Party had flipped the election?
Is The New Democratic Nominee In State Senate District 22 Pro-Life Or Pro-Choice?
Posted on at 11:39 amTim Barnes explains his stance on abortion:
Barnes was candid about the fact that his law practice is heavily vested in adoption and family law, and admitted that particularly “some forms of abortion” (i.e. partial birth abortion) is something he does not personally favor. Personally, “I recognize that it is the woman’s right to choose.” The Supreme Court ruled that this decision rests solely with the woman, and “I respect that right.” He personally falls on the side of life, but said candidly that this issue of choice is not one to be made at the state level by state legislators. Barnes cited the Supreme Court as the arbiter and said that “choice” was the law of the land, and that law had to be respected. He indicated he would like to work for feasible alternatives to abortion, not the least of which is adoption, but added that “choice” is the law and the right of each individual woman.
There’s No One Neata Than Kurita
Posted on September 17, 2008 at 12:54 pmFormer unsuccessful candidate for various state and local offices, Jim Boyd, voices (and I do mean voices) his support for Senator Rosalind Kurita:
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No Repeat Of That Eight-Hour Trial On Saturday Tomorrow
Posted on September 16, 2008 at 6:57 pmThe Tri-county convention tomorrow to determine the Democratic nominee in Senate District 22 will not be looking into evidence of voter fraud.
The election of Rosalind Kurita has been invalidated. Tomorrow, in Clarksville, they will simply choose a nominee — and it could be anyone:
Any of the 88 convention participants can nominate a candidate, and anyone who is eligible to run for the office can be nominated, Munday said. Nominations must be seconded.
The convention participants then will vote on the nominees until they get down to two candidates, Munday said. A quorum of 35 of the 88 participants must be reached to pick a nominee.
“It’s not going to have the kind of trial atmosphere that we had this weekend,” Munday said, referring to the state party hearing, which included arguments from attorneys representing Barnes and Kurita. Munday quickly added, “To my knowledge, unless they do something really surprising.”
Instead, Munday said the convention of local party officials will make their determination via a “discussion.”
Kurita: The Bundgaard Interview
Posted on at 10:50 amWKRN’s Chris Bundgaard interviews Rosalind Kurita on her write-in campaign:
Bonafide Disaster For Tennessee’s Open Primary System
Posted on at 9:55 amJoe Lance reflects on “the Kurita situation“:
This idea of “challenging bona fides” doesn’t sit well with me. And it doesn’t even make much sense, if you think about it: after all, what does party registration mean, when each major party strives to put up the biggest tent, and therefore each attracts ideological opposites to stand warily alongside each other?
SEE ALSO: Silence
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It Is What It Is
Posted on at 7:30 amThe Left Wing Cracker didn’t think that the Tennessee Democratic Party should have stripped Rosalind Kurita of her primary election victory — but strip it they did. So, he is behind Tim Barnes and rejects the write-in campaign of Senator Kurita to keep her seat:
You know that I thought this was a bad move, but if this is going to be on, then I’m in Tim Barnes’ corner, because she’s gotta pay for her sins, folks. I don’t like what the TDP did, but if you’re going to do this, then it’s time to step it up and put your money where your votes are.
This is where the lesson has to be learned. If you live outside the city of Memphis and you’re a Democrat, this is one of the biggest races in the state. I know her name won’t be on the ballot, but you’re going to tell me that the Goopers are going to abandon her when they know Tim Barnes will vote for someone other than Ron Ramsey for Senate Speaker?
SEE ALSO:
Matthew Hurtt
Cost of Legal Challenge May Be Prohibitive For Kurita
Posted on at 7:01 amThe Associated Press speaks to Kurita attorney, former Senator Bob Rochelle:
Rochelle said any legal challenge would likely be based on due process grounds. He said Kurita didn’t have the power to subpoena witnesses at the hearing, and the case did not have to follow rules of evidence used in courts.
“The allegation would be that the hearing was a facade, and that she was entitled to a fair hearing,” Rochelle said.
But the cost of an appeal in federal court could play a large role in whether Kurita decides to take that route, he said.
“It’s a difficult and an expensive situation,” Rochelle said.
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Write-in Ros: It’s On, Son
Posted on September 15, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Post Politics has confirmed that Senator Rosalind Kurita has indeed filed, in each county of the 22nd State Senate district, a certificate of write-in candidacy. Senator Rosalind Kurita will be an official write-in candidate for reelection to the seat she now holds.
Her name will not be on the ballot but any registered voter in the district will be able to cast their vote to keep Rosalind Kurita in the Tennessee state Senate regardless of what a tri-county convention, tasked by the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive committee to resolve “incurable uncertainties” in the election, decides.
When asked by Post Politics why she took this unusual step, Senator Rosalind Kurita responded, “I think it’s obvious why this step was necessary. This is America. You don’t just let someone steal an election.”
Kurita credits supporters with helping her recognize what she needed to do.
“I received so many calls and messages of support since Saturday, it has really been overwhelming,” Kurita explains. “So many people I know have called and told me, ‘You’re a fighter, Rosalind, fight this.’ So that’s what I’m doing.”
PREVIOUSLY:
The Show Trial At The Sheraton
Write-In Ros?
Write-In Ros?
Posted on September 14, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Just as the Tennessee blogosphere seems unanimous in rebuke of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee’s handling of Tim Barnes’ challenge to the results of the 22nd state Senate District’s Democratic primary, reports and commentary on the decision, including Post Politics, have been similarly unanimous in portraying the decision as a death blow to the political career of Rosalind Kurita.
The tri-county party convention will most certainly, it has been said, decide in favor of Barnes and, with no candidate on the ballot as either a Republican or an independent, victory is assured to Barnes in the general election. Tim Barnes will be the next state Senator from Clarksville.
Or will he?
Remember, the “Senate is Senate,” as they say, and it will be the Senate which has the final say over whether Tim Barnes is seated or not. Just as in the case of Ophelia Ford, the state Senate has the ability to void any election to its body. This would, as in the Ford case, likely lead to a lengthy court fight.
To void the election, Republican would need only a simple majority. The question is, will they have it? Just as it would take 17 votes to unseat a Senator Barnes, so too do the Republicans need 17 votes to keep their majority in the Senate.
Kurita was the famous seventeen vote that installed the first Republican Speaker since Reconstruction. Senator Williams, the former Republican now independent, will almost certainly not vote for a Speaker Ramsey again.
After last week’s news regarding his Republican opponent, it is starting to look more and more likely that the incumbent Independent will keep his seat. If Williams holds, along with the rest of the Democrats, you’ve got a potential speaker Kyle, who, one would expect, would see absolutely no problem with Barnes’s road to the Senate.
But if Ramsey is the next speaker, he, by definition, has his seventeen. Would it be worth the hassle to void the election of Barnes and risk lawsuits and the like just to install an independent Democrat who may or may not support him on crucial issues important to Republicans.
Yes, she will have a personal loyalty to Ramsey. But at the end of the day, no matter what anybody says, the woman is no Republican. She is a progressive. A populist, nanny statist-type of progressive, but a progressive nonetheless.
But is there another way? Can Kurita stay in the Senate without depending on either her local county Democratic officials or Lt. Governor Ramsey?
This is Tennessee, Kurita cannot pull a Joe Lieberman and run as an independent as the filing deadlines for both party candidates and independents are on the same day, in part so as to prevent that very thing.
There is one final recourse, however. In Tennessee, on the fiftieth day before the election, any man or women eligible for an office can file, in each county that makes up the district of the listed office, a Certificate of Write-In Candidacy.
The fiftieth day before this year’s November 4th election is tomorrow, September 15, 2008.
PREVIOUSLY: The Show Trial At The Sheraton
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