Unions Vote Stewart

Well, Eric Stansell already had an uphill battle against Mike Stewart's large financial advantage, now it appears that Stewart has an important constituency (especially in a low-turnout Democratic primary) in his pocket. Both the Communication Workers of America and the Education Association PAC have endorsed the Waller Lansden attorney.

MNEA President Eric Huth says of Stewart, "[h]e has an excellent grasp of the difference between sound educational policy and politics. Too many legislators in the Tennessee General Assembly and other policymakers base education policy on political considerations. Mike understands the issues."

It really should not come as much of a surprise that Stewart is doing so well at this point. His story is somewhat similar to Stansell's. In 1996, two years after moving to the area, Mr. Stewart challenged Bill Boner for the District 52 seat, and only lost by a small 537 vote margin (against a former Mayor). He then went on to become President of the Lockeland Springs Neighborhood Association, and established deep roots in the community...something Stansell has not had the opportunity to do.