District 3 Democrats gather for coffee, community
District 3 co-chairs Josh Golden and Andrew MacDonald created the event as a less formal version of their monthly meetings, which are currently being held at the Cedar Bluff Public Library.
“But that tends to be a bit more formal, and there’s a set agenda,” Golden said. “We’ve heard from people that they want more frequent contact. So as part of my vision for the district, I believe in building community continuously, not just during election years. So we want to vary it up with coffee socials, stuff at local breweries, things like that.”
A sign-in sheet and QR code sat on a picnic table near the gathering with a pro-Democrat sign to welcome people.
Two notable attendees were Bryan Goldberg, who is running for State House District 18, and Patricia Fontenot-Ridley, a member of the Knox County School Board. They were two of 17 attendees at the event, which went from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. that day.
“I can’t remember the last time we had this many people with kids meet up on a Saturday with so many big events happening,” Goldberg said, alluding to the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk and Tennessee football’s Orange and White Game, among other events. “So it’s encouraging. This is indicative of Democrats really caring about what’s on the ballot, what’s going on. We’re following both sides of the aisle, and I would encourage all Republicans to take stock of who’s running and do your own research and be attentive, informed voters.”
The group discussed local elections and the Democratic primary, as well as the turnout for mayoral candidate Beau Hawk’s campaign kickoff.
They also discussed Monday night’s Justice Knox Nehemiah Action Assembly, which saw people come together to discuss “the affordable housing crisis, needs in our
mental health care system, problems facing our schools, inadequate public transportation and community gun violence,” according to the Justice Knox website.
As for last Saturday’s event specifically, Golden said it will be the first of many — and that he wants people to feel welcomed and encouraged when they leave.
“In my mind, the biggest thing I want people to take away is that we’re here,” he said. “In Tennessee, it’s very easy — even in Knox County, which is a more blue area — to feel like you’re a blue dot. I hear that time and time again. So I want people to feel like they’re not by themselves.”
