John DeBerry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John DeBerry
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Senior Advisor to the Governor of Tennessee | |
Assumed office December 1, 2020 |
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Governor | Bill Lee |
Preceded by | Brandon Gibson |
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 90th district |
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In office January 1995 – January 12, 2021 |
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Preceded by | Karen R. Williams |
Succeeded by | Torrey Harris |
Personal details | |
Born | February 5, 1951 |
Political party | Democratic |
Other political affiliations |
Independent (2020) |
Relatives | Marquita Bradshaw (niece) |
Education | Freed–Hardeman University University of Memphis |
John J. DeBerry Jr. (born February 5, 1951) is an American pastor and politician. He served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives for many years. This is a group of people who make laws for the state of Tennessee. He represented District 90 from 1995 to 2021. John DeBerry was a member of the Democratic Party. However, he held some different views from many in his party. For example, he believed in protecting unborn babies. In 2020, the Governor of Tennessee, Bill Lee, asked him to become a special advisor.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John DeBerry studied at two universities. He graduated from Freed–Hardeman University. He also attended the University of Memphis. These schools helped him prepare for his career.
His Time in Politics
John DeBerry spent a long time working in the Tennessee government. He was a state representative for 26 years. This means he helped make laws for the people in his district.
Why He Left the Democratic Party
In May 2020, something unusual happened. The leaders of the Tennessee Democratic Party decided to remove John DeBerry from their list of candidates. This meant he could not run for office as a Democrat anymore. The vote was 41 to 18.
One reason for this decision was his views on certain topics. His belief in protecting unborn babies was a big factor. DeBerry felt it was unfair. He said that people in his district, not a committee, should decide who represents them. After this, he decided to run for office as an Independent. This means he ran without being part of a major political party.
Speaking Out on Protests
On August 1, 2020, John DeBerry gave an important speech. He spoke in the Tennessee General Assembly, which is where state laws are made. Lawmakers were talking about a new law. This law would make punishments stronger for people who caused violence during protests.
During his speech, DeBerry talked about protests happening in cities like Portland and Seattle. He explained that violence and property damage hurt the cause of protests. He believed that protests should remain peaceful to be successful.
He shared stories from his own family's past. They were involved in the Civil Rights Movement many years ago. He remembered a time when laws forced him to use separate entrances and drink from "colored" water fountains. He also went to schools that were only for Black children. He said the Civil Rights Movement succeeded because it was peaceful. It had strong values and common sense.
Working with the Governor
On November 30, 2020, Governor Bill Lee made an announcement. He said that John DeBerry would join his team. DeBerry became a special advisor to the Governor. He started this new job on December 1, 2020. In this role, he helps the Governor with important decisions.