A Call for a Renewed Party of the People

We, folks in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, face a challenge: we lack civic leaders who pursue the common good—leaders who understand and respond to the needs of working-class people.

We can’t afford for politicians to fiddle around while rising grocery prices make feeding a family a daily struggle, healthcare access is a gamble for too many, and our young people leave in search of opportunity that should exist right here in the mountains.

It’s time for East Tennesseens and Southwest Virginians to choose leaders who prioritize people over profits and communities over corporate interests.

We must leave behind candidates who sell our kids out for money from the National Rifle Association, who sell our good jobs for contributions from company moguls, and who enable, if not are themselves, the extractive capitalists profiting off unaffordable housing and gouging grocery prices.

There is future where the region returns to its discerning roots, where candidates at every level work to assure our material and psychological well-being, where community health and prosperity come before corporate profit.

What follows is a manifesto—a call to build a People’s Democratic Party—one that puts our well-being above all else and stands firm in the face of political and corporate pressures.

This is a call for a Party that builds the People’s Infrastructure for Change and Liberation.

The vision for this New Democratic Party is founded on the following Core Principles:

• Economic Justice and Fair Labor: Every working person in East Tennessee deserves more than just survival—they deserve security, dignity, and a fair wage that meets their needs. We’re committed to creating an economy where working families are valued, protected, and given real pathways to prosperity.
• Local Power and Community-Led Change: Decisions about East Tennessee’s future should come from East Tennesseans. We’re committed to a community-driven approach that puts the voices of local people first, empowering neighborhoods to shape the policies that directly affect them.
• Environmental Stewardship and Respect for the Land: For generations, we have relied on our land to sustain us, and now it’s our turn to protect it. We’re dedicated to policies that ensure clean air, safe water, and sustainable agricultural practices, so our land remains healthy for the generations to come.
• Inclusive Representation and Solidarity Across Differences: East Tennessee’s strength lies in our diversity, from our mountain hollers to our valley towns. We believe in a Party that respects and represents all people, building a movement that uplifts everyone—regardless of background, experience, or belief.
• Action, Not Rhetoric: We’re committed to more than just promises; we’re committed to action. Our goal is to bring real change into people’s lives, whether that’s better wages, better schools, or a healthier environment. This isn’t about talking points—it’s about accountability and results that matter.

With these Core Principles as our foundation, we will bring them to life through Four Pillar Practices—strategies for expanding the electorate and positioning the Democratic Party as the People’s Party:

• Foster Well-Being through Radical Community Care: Our Party must be a consistent, reliable presence in people’s lives. By fostering radical community care, we will create support networks that prioritize the well-being of every East Tennessean, reinforcing bonds of trust and solidarity in the face of hardship.
• Practice Popular Education to Empower Voters: We will equip people to understand and influence the systems affecting their lives, to raise their critical consciousness. Through workshops, discussions, and accessible resources, we aim to transform every voter into an informed, engaged citizen who feels empowered within the democratic process.
• Cultivate Shared Power through Grassroots Organizing and Partnership-Building: True power lies with the people. Through grassroots organizing and partnerships with trusted local institutions, we will create a foundation of shared power, ensuring that our community has a voice in decision-making and that no one is left out of the political process.
• Use Consistent Presence and Values-Based Messaging: Trust is built over time through consistency, visibility, and authenticity. By showing up consistently and speaking to East Tennessee’s core values, we will build a Party that neighbors can rely on—a Party that speaks the language of the region and stands with its people. 
• Institutionalize Change through Legislative Victories: Transformative change requires more than promises; it requires tangible legislative victories that build a foundation for justice and equity. We are committed to electing leaders who understand the challenges facing East Tennesseans and are prepared to advocate for policies that reflect our core principles. 

With Core Principles as our guide and Pillars as our practices, we can, and absolutely must, work diligently toward a focused set of goals, which represent leverage points that can both quickly and systemically improve the lives of all in East Tennesee: 

• Economic Equity and Opportunity for All
  Our goal is an economy where every East Tennessean has access to stable jobs, fair wages, and the security to build a good life for their family. We envision a future where work pays off and local businesses thrive.
• Guaranteed Dignity and Health for All
  Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We believe in an East Tennessee where no one has to choose between going to the doctor and putting food on the table. Everyone deserves affordable, quality healthcare as a foundation of dignity and well-being.
• Education as a Pathway to Fair Work and Good Pay
  Education should lead to real opportunities. We aim to build an educational system that prepares every learner for stable, well-paying careers, whether they go to college, enter a trade, or pursue other paths. In East Tennessee, education will be a pathway to prosperity.
• Environmental Stewardship Rooted in Respect for the Land
  Our goal is to protect East Tennessee’s natural beauty and resources so that future generations inherit a land that’s healthy, clean, and abundant. Through sustainable practices, we’ll ensure that our mountains, rivers, and farmlands remain vital assets for all.

This is our moment to reclaim the values that have always defined Appalachia: resilience, solidarity, and a shared commitment to each other’s well-being. Join us in building a Party that reflects the best of who we are, a Party that belongs to us, and one that creates a just, dignified future for all.