August Newsletter
Dear Friend,
Who's ready for fall? Keep up with the Rutherford County Democratic Party as we step into a new season! From social events to advocacy work, we did it all in August. Read more about what we've been up to, and see what we have planned for September!
Hometown Highlights
On August 12th, the RCDP held our Executive Committee meeting at Austin Audio Visual Design in Murfreesboro. We generated great discussions during the meeting and were able to finally see some friendly faces in person! Our September Executive Committee meeting will be held virtually on Google Meet, and all are welcome to attend. Find more information about that in the Community Connections section.
On August 18th, the Rutherford County Young Democrats held their first meeting with guest speaker Luis Mata. Many members of the RCDP Executive Committee were in attendance, and First Vice Chair Katrina Aguilar was elected as RCYD Treasurer. Follow the Rutherford County Young Democrats here.
On August 19th, the RCDP held their monthly True Blue Tuesday event at Cinco De Mayo in Smyrna. With 30 community members in attendance, including Chair Matt Fee, First Vice Chair Katrina Aguilar, and Secretary Theo Baker, we had an amazing night of building blue in Rutherford County!
On August 22nd, Chair Matt Fee addressed the Rutherford County School Boardcalling out the hypocrisy and greed within the Republican Party at the expense of our educators. Rutherford County Schools will now face a $7 million dollar increase in health insurance costs, with $5 million of those dollars falling directly on our teachers. All because Republicans want to make billionaires richer and hardworking Americans like us poorer.
On August 23rd, the RCDP hosted the Rutherford Reaches Out: Postcard Party at the Technology Engagement Center in Murfreesboro. All the attendees worked together to write 140 postcards promoting the RCDP and our fall fundraiser, the Blue Harvest Bash, on September 26th. Read more about the fundraiser in the Building Blue section!
Building Blue
You may have heard whispers about our fall fundraiser, but here's everything you need to know about the Blue Harvest Bash! The Blue Harvest Bash will take place on September 26th from 6:30-10:30pm at Austin Audio Visual Design in Murfreesboro! Join us for live music, local food vendors, a silent auction featuring Middle Tennessee businesses, featured speakers, community spirit, and so much more! Buy your ticket today on ActBlue! Children 12 and under get in for free. If you're interested in getting involved, email us at info@rcdp.org. Here's some things we need your help with:
Sign up to join our chili cook-off and beat our Rutherford County Reigning Champion Tiffany Fee!
Volunteer your local business to donate an item for the silent auction!
Promote the Blue Harvest Bash to all your friends and family across Rutherford County!
We are very excited to announce that our August 19th True Blue Tuesday was a major success! If you missed us, that's okay. Come join us for our next True Blue Tuesday on September 16th from 6-8PM at Margarita House in La Vergne. RSVP by September 15th, so we can save you a seat! Guac is on us.
Interested in running for office or getting involved in a campaign? Join Chair Matt Fee and the Candidate Recruitment Committee on September 13th at 10:00am for their Candidate Interesting Meeting! The meeting will be held at the La Vergne Public Library (5063 Murfreesboro Rd, La Vergne, TN 37086) and will discuss important foundational information about what it takes to run and manage a campaign. Sign up on Mobilize here.
Are you ready for fall? We sure are. However, to beat this heat, the RCDP has been staying hydrated with our Splash into Summer $25 for '25 initiative! We're surfing the blue waves right here in Rutherford County, but we need your help to reach our summer goals! For more information, go to our ActBlue here. Donate today to directly contribute to real change in your backyard!
Capitol Watch
Local: At Rutherford County's Public Safety Committee Meeting on August 25th, we saw what real courage and leadership looked like. We also saw what fear and cowardice looked like in the form of Republican leadership and Rutherford County Mayor Joe Carr. The meeting centered around ICE activity in our county, where Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh announced the county's recent entry into the 278(g) Warrant Service Officer program. The program empowers local deputies to execute ICE warrants on undocumented individuals in their custody.
In response, Commissioner Hope Oliver described ICE as a "terrorist organization" after residents in the audience raised grave concerns about racial profiling and state-sanctioned targeting of our neighbors. Following the meeting the Rutherford County GOP blatantly lied on their social platforms, stating Commissioner Oliver called our sheriff and law enforcement terrorists. Additionally, Mayor Carr went on to publicly rebuke Commissioner Oliver and call for her censure. But what Republican leadership refuses to admit? Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or government, with the goal of furthering political, social, or ideological objectives. It generates intimidation or coercion by instilling fear. That is exactly what the GOP is doing by letting ICE run rampant in our community.
The Rutherford County Democratic Party stands resolutely with Commissioner Hope Oliver and condemns this complicity in state-sponsored intimidation. Commissioner Oliver acted as a true representative and voice of Rutherford County; we call on you to reject the politics that turn enforcement into oppression. So what can we do as a community?
Support Commissioner Oliver in her fundraising and campaigning efforts: DONATE HERE
Attend the County Commission Meeting on September 11th at 6PM at the Historic Courthouse in Murfreesboro: MORE INFORMATION
Federal: President Trump announced plans to issue an executive order banning mail-in voting—except for the seriously ill and military personnel—as part of sweeping election-related changes, citing claims of widespread voter fraud. He echoed similar assertions made by Russian President Vladimir Putin during their Alaska meeting, suggesting a shared skepticism of mail-in ballots. Read more about it on USA Today. What can we do about this?
Attend the Election Commission Meeting on October 6th at 5PM at the Election Office in Murfreesboro: MORE INFORMATION
Blue Business Spotlight
Wanting to improve your outlook on life as we get closer to 2026? Book an appointment with Accu-Vision Optical Family Eye Care in Murfreesboro today! This locally- and LGBTQ-owned eye care clinic was founded by Dr. Serge B. Martin in 1989 before being acquired by Dr. Khanh M. Trinh in 2024. Accu-Vision Optical specializes in contact lenses and treating eye infections but also sells many fashionable glasses frames in-store. They accept a wide range of insurancesand are known to hold giveaways and sales, so follow their socials to be the first to hear about it!
Learn more about the owner:
Dr. Khanh Trinh has been caring for patients at Accu-Vision Optical since 2020 and proudly became the owner in 2024. After studying at the University of South Alabama and earning his Doctor of Optometry from UAB School of Optometry, he brought his passion for specialty contact lenses and compassionate eye care to our community. Patients love his approachable and thoughtful care; one recently shared, "Dr. Trinh is very nice, knowledgeable, understanding, helpful in fitting me and my elderly mom with contacts and glasses. He is one of the best I have ever experienced." When he’s not helping patients see their best, Dr. Trinh enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking with his partner and son.
Website: https://accu-visionoptical.com/
Instagram: Follow today!
Facebook: Follow today!
Phone Number: (615) 896-0082
Community Connections
RCDRCDP Monthly Executive Committee Meeting
September 9, 2025 | 6:00-7:30PM | Virtual (Google Meet)
Stay up to date on what the RCDP is working on at our September monthly meeting! While only elected Executive Committee members may vote, all are welcome to attend and observe.
RCDP Candidate Interest Meeting
September 13, 2025 | 10:00-12:00pm | La Vergne Public Library (La Vergne)
Join Chair Matt Fee and the Candidate Recruitment Committee to learn about essential foundational knowledge on how to run, manage, and finance a campaign for local and state office.
September 16, 2025 | 6:00-8:00PM | Margarita House (La Vergne)
Join the RCDP for our monthly fundraising social! For the month of September, we will be in La Vergne. The RCDP will be purchasing dips and starters. Make sure you RSVP by September 15th, so we can save you a seat!
TAPP Rutherford: Smyrna Meet & Greet
September 20, 2025 | 10:00-11:00am | Viva La Fresa Bakery (Smyrna)
Join Middle TN Grassroots Organizer Amelia Pant over coffee to discuss how to build power in Smyrna! Break into the organizing space over casual conversation and hear directly from local advocates about how to mobilize and improve Rutherford County.
Citizens Academy: Understanding the City of Murfreesboro
Application due September 22, 2025 | 5:00pm | Murfreesboro
Citizens Academy is hosting weekly sessions from October 6th to November 24th to explore how the City of Murfreesboro's 27 departments operate. The sessions are free and take place in Murfreesboro. However, there are limited spots, and Republicans are trying to pack the room. Sign up today!
September 26, 2025 | 6:30-10:30PM | Austin Audio Visual Design (Murfreesboro)
Spend an evening with the RCDP as we build blue for the future of Rutherford County. This is our biggest event of the year with live music, speakers, a silent auction, local vendors, and so much more. You definitely do not want to miss it! Buy your ticket today! Children 12 and under get in for free.
