Lenda SherrellNASHVILLE - A Tennessee Democratic Party screening panel on Monday made its three recommendations to the party for a new chairman, bypassing 4th Congressional District nominee Lenda Sherrell of Monteagle in its endorsements.
Instead, the committee, which met behind closed doors, recommended former state Rep. Gloria Johnson of Knoxville, who lost her general election race; Terry Adams, a Knoxville lawyer who lost his U.S. Senate Democratic primary with Gordon Ball; and Mary Mancini, a Nashville activist who lost her state Senate Democratic primary to Jeff Yarbro.
Democrats' Chair Vetting Committee offered no explanation for their specific choices except to say in a news release the panel "determined the most important characteristics necessary for the new chair to lead the resurgence of the Party."
Sherrell announced publicly last week she was seeking the post. She lost to Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., on Nov. 4 in the GOP-leaning 4th District.
But Sherrell, the 4th Congressional District head of Organizing for America, a group that promoted President Barack Obama's agenda, was given high marks for her effort in a tough race by independent observers for her fundraising, grassroots effort and television ads. Her ads also impressed several Republican political strategists.
The full Democratic State Executive Committee will meet to elect a new chair in January. Current Chairman Roy Herron, announced in mid-September that he would not seek re-election, weeks after August executive committee member contests.