Democratic District 52 candidates debate for Obama coattails

House candidates to debate Saturday

By MICHAEL CASS

Two attorneys from East Nashville will debate the issues Saturday as they battle to represent District 52 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Eric Stansell and Mike Stewart will debate from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Metro Nashville East Police Precinct, 396 E. Trinity Lane. Doors will open at 9:15.

Stansell and Stewart are vying to win the Democratic Party nomination on Aug. 7 for the District 52 seat, which former Rep. Rob Briley is vacating. The district includes parts of East, South and West Nashville.

Stansell said in an interview this week that Stewart, who works for Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, a well-connected law firm that frequently lobbies state government, would be a tool of corporate interests. Stansell said he would champion consumers and working-class citizens.

Stewart countered that Stansell isn't committed enough to Democratic and progressive causes because he didn't vote in the 2004 Democratic presidential primary. Stewart said he volunteered in Florida that year for U.S. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic nominee for the presidency.