Posted: Monday, August 31, 2009 1:29 pm

The Rutherford County Democratic Party (RCDP) announced Monday the first straw poll in the 2010 Democratic primary for Governor of Tennessee.

The inaugural Rutherford County Grow Tennessee dinner will take place from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 in the Tennessee Ballroom of MTSU's James Union Building.

Rep. Kent and Cecil Coleman, John and Marilyn Hood, Andy and Cherry Womack, and Sandra Y. Trail play host to the evening, which is a fundraiser that will also serve as an important early straw poll of Middle Tennessee Democrats on who they feel has the best vision to move Tennessee forward as the next Governor.

"Grow Tennessee will be an early indication of who Middle Tennessee Democrats are supporting in the 2010 Gubernatorial primary," RCDP Chairman Jonathon Fagan said. "The candidate that emerges on top will send a strong message to the party, press and donors for weeks to come that they are a serious candidate to move our state forward."

All five Democrotic Gubernatorial candidates Sen. Jim Kyle, Kim McMillan, Sen. Roy Herron, Mike McWherter and Ward Cammack will be at this event and share brief words about their vision for future of our great state.

Seats are limited and tickets can be purchased online at the RCDP Web site (www.rutherfordcountydemocrats.org) or through ActBlue (www.actblue.com/page/growtn). Individual tickets are $50, couples are $80 and tables are $280.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee is the birthplace of today's modern Democratic Party, born in 1822 in what was then the State Capitol on Vine Street when Andrew Jackson declared his candidacy for President of the United States, and was nominated by the Tennessee Legislature.

To purchase tickets in person, call RCDP at 615-796-1472 or Pat McFadden at 615-336-7450.