By Jason Luntz
The race for the Davidson County District Attorney’s office in the May 6 primary election is getting close scrutiny from the African-American community.
It is the District Attorney who decides which criminal cases get prosecuted. And the election of the next District Attorney will leave an imprint on Nashville for decades.
Democratic candidate Rob McGuire gained a major boost to his campaign by receiving support from a large block of the Minority Caucus of the Metro Council.
“I am humbled and honored to have the support of such excellent community leaders,” McGuire said. “I believe in fighting for justice for every person in our city. I have worked extensively in the African-American community for over a decade to make sure justice is served for all victims of crime no matter where they live.”
McGuire is supported by At-large member Jerry Maynard II; District 1 Councilman Lonnell Matthews Jr.; District 2 Councilman Frank Harrison; District 3 Councilman Walter Hunt; District 5 Councilman Scott Davis; District 17 Councilwoman Sandra Moore; District 19 Councilwoman Erica Gilmore; District 21 Councilwoman Edith Taylor Langster; District 29 Councilwoman Karen Y. Johnson and District 31 Councilman Fabian Bedne.
“Rob McGuire has shown true dedication to justice and equality over the years he’s been in public service as an Assistant District Attorney,” said Councilman Lonnell Matthews. “I trust Rob McGuire to be Nashville’s next District Attorney.”
Rob McGuire has spent his career as a career prosecutor with the Nashville District Attorney’s Office. He was endorsed by current Davidson County District Attorney General Torry Johnson, when it was announced that he would not seek re-election in 2014.
Running against McGuire is Glenn Funk, a lawyer who worked in the District Attorney’s office before spending nearly 25 years in private practice as a criminal defense attorney. He is also campaigning against Diane Lance, also a former assistant District Attorney before working as a special assistant to Mayor Karl Dean.
According to Councilman At-Large Jerry Maynard, McGuire’s time working in the District Attorney’s office has allowed McGuire to develop a relationship with the African-American community.
“Rob doesn’t need a driver or a GPS system to find his way around North Nashville,” said Maynard. “His commitment to diversity is not a hollow slogan, but proven through his service and actions.”
According to the campaign website, www.mcguireforda.com, McGuire has handled hundreds of felony cases and has tried more than 90 felony jury trials. “I’m committed to be fair so that when a person deserves a break and a chance to change that they get that chance from the D.A.’s Office,” McGuire said. “Justice belongs to everyone in our city and these endorsements show that people believe I’m the right person to work for that goal.”
District 19 Council Member Erica Gilmore supports McGuire because of his approach to various issues that affect African-Americans at a disproportionate rate. “I am supporting Rob on the things that I found are important to my constituency,” explained Gilmore. “He has spoken about ways to help people in the community keep their driving privileges.”
Gilmore feels that not only African-Americans but also economically challenged citizens in Nashville are plagued with the problem of retaining their driver’s licenses.
She is also excited about the possibility of a District Attorney office that is aware of how African-Americans are treated in the criminal court system. “When we think about charges, being sensitive to the kind of charges you are going to tack on to someone.” Gilmore continued, “Rob has remained conscious of how young African-Americans have been charged in the past, he continues to work on stopping the flow of young African-Americans being transferred from Juvenile to Adult.”
While the majority members of the Minority Caucus of the Metro Council have publicly endorsed Rob McGuire there has not been an official vote or statement by the council itself.
Early voting in Davidson County will be held from April 16 through May 1 with primary election day on Tuesday, May 6.