Anderson Dems

09/01/2026

This morning, three Democrats raised their hands, took the oath, and began a new chapter of service to Anderson County.

Ebony Capshaw was sworn in for her first full term after first joining the Commission through her 2024 special election.

Steve Verran took the oath for a third term, continuing years of service to his district and our county.

And Sharon Bourgeois-Capshaw was sworn in as one of Anderson County’s newest commissioners after her victory in August.

There’s something special about watching people you’ve knocked doors for, talked to neighbors about, celebrated with, and believed in stand in that courthouse and take an oath to serve the people who sent them there.

Because elections matter most for what comes next.

Now comes the actual work: listening, showing up, asking hard questions, fighting for working families, protecting our communities, and making sure more people have a voice in the decisions that shape their lives.

We are incredibly proud of Ebony, Steve, and Sharon, and grateful to every voter, volunteer, friend, and neighbor who helped make this morning possible.

There are great things ahead for Anderson County.

This morning felt a little bit like the beginning. 💙

08/31/2026

A statement on District 8: Many of you have seen today’s reporting by The Oak Ridger that Commissioner-elect Liz Henry will not take the oath or assume the District 8 seat on the Anderson County Commission when the new term begins September 1.

Liz has released a statement saying circumstances in her personal life have changed since the election.

“The easiest thing for me to do now would be to take the oath and hope everything works itself out. I don’t think that would be fair to the people who elected me. District 8 deserves someone who knows they can make the commitment the job requires, and right now I cannot honestly make that promise.”

The circumstances behind her decision are personal and involve her family, and Liz has asked that those details remain private. We are going to respect that.

Liz has also made clear that she made this decision before contacting the Anderson County Democratic Party about what happens next.

“Once I made this decision, I contacted Anderson County Democratic Party Chair Chase Lindsey so we could make sure District 8 would have a clear path forward. Since then, he and the Party have been working with the appropriate officials, reviewing the law and the election process, and preparing for what comes next.”

That is where our responsibility begins.

Since Liz contacted us, Party leadership has been working with the appropriate election and legal officials, reviewing Tennessee law and the election calendar, and preparing the framework for what comes next.

Our Executive Committee will meet tonight for a Special Called Emergency Meeting to discuss and vote on that framework.

We are not meeting tonight to choose a replacement, endorse a candidate or select the Democratic nominee.

Because Liz has not taken the oath or assumed office, the District 8 position is not being treated as legally vacant tonight, and we will not begin a nomination process before that vacancy is established.

If the vacancy is established tomorrow as anticipated, we will release the full process, timeline, candidate information and next steps.

For tonight, we ask everyone to respect Liz’s privacy and give her the space she has requested.

08/31/2026

Tuesday’s Porchlight is going to be a big one.

There is a lot happening right now (here in Anderson County, across Tennessee and across the country) and some of it deserves more than a paragraph buried in an email. We’re going to take the time Tuesday to really get into it.

But before we get there, September starts. And September is when a lot of the talking we’ve been doing turns into doing.

There is a lot happening right now (here in Anderson County, across Tennessee and across the country) and some of it deserves more than a paragraph buried in an email. We’re going to take the time Tuesday to really get into it.

08/30/2026

As National Parks Week comes to a close, we remind ourselves this: Public parks are for the people, not profit.

08/30/2026

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08/28/2026

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Join Anna Golladay for Congress for the Grassroots vs. Greed Rally. An evening of community, energy, and people-powered politics as we build toward November. Featuring Anna Golladay, Democratic nominee for Congress in Tennessee’s 3rd District, alongside author, pastor, and activist John Pavlovitz,...

08/27/2026

Anderson County!!! We are bringing the Grassroots vs. Greed rally to you! Join me, my friend John Pavlovitz, and many other special guests in Norris on Thursday, September 10.

Save the date! More speakers and musicians will be announced shortly.

08/27/2026

Ya'll! Anna Golladay for Congress is bringing some guests to Anderson County on September 10th! Save this date.

Anderson County!!! We are bringing the Grassroots vs. Greed rally to you! Join me, my friend John Pavlovitz, and many other special guests in Norris on Thursday, September 10.

Save the date! More speakers and musicians will be announced shortly.

08/25/2026

Tennessee is better because of Dolly Parton. 

A true Tennessee trailblazer, she carried the spirit of the Smoky Mountains with her wherever she went, leading with ambition, generosity, kindness, and an unwavering love for the people and places that shaped her. 

From humble roots in East Tennessee to creating Dollywood and investing in the region’s economy and communities and launching the Imagination Library, which has put books into the hands of millions of children, Dolly built a legacy rooted in giving back and changing countless lives that will continue to inspire generations to come. 

Thank you, Dolly.

08/25/2026

Are you in County Commission District 7? That’s the Glenwood, Pine Valley, or Emory Valley precincts in Oak Ridge.

Join your District 7 Democrats tonight at 6 PM at ACDP HQ for our monthly meeting!

It’s a great chance to meet other Democrats in your district, hear what the party is working on as we head toward November, and find a way to plug in.

AndersonDems HQ | 14 Kentucky Ave., Oak Ridge
Start time: 6 PM

Come meet your Democratic neighbors. 💙