Also: Lee Harris endorses Biden

VoteVets, a political advocacy group for progressive veterans, has endorsed James Mackler, the Nashville attorney and veteran running for U.S. Senate.

Mackler, a former Army helicopter pilot and Iraq War veteran, is the lone Democrat seeking the seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander. A number of Republicans, including former Ambassador Bill Hagerty and surgeon Manny Sethi, are vying for the GOP nomination.

Though nonpartisan, VoteVets typically supports progressive veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“How many people would shut down their business, and ask the Army to make an age exception to let them enlist, so they could serve their country in war? Not many, and that’s why James Mackler is an exceptional American,” VoteVets Chair Jon Soltz said in a fundraising message on behalf of Mackler. “But, putting others before himself isn’t all that makes James a tremendous pick for Senator. His knowledge of the dangers we face from terrorism, and regimes that would do us harm, mean that he can go into the Senate with the knowledge and credibility to keep America safe, and our troops well taken care of. We’re thrilled to endorse him.”



Harris endorses Biden

Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris has endorsed the presidential campaign of former Vice President Joe Biden.

Harris, the former state Senate minority leader, appeared at a rally for one of Biden’s Democratic rivals, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, earlier this year.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Harris chose Biden because he believes him to be the candidate best positioned to defeat President Donald Trump.

“He represents a very vivid contrast to the Trump presidency," Harris said. "Joe Biden has just unprecedented governance experience (and) temperament to do the job, and that is very different from the current president.”

Biden visited Nashville for a fundraiser earlier this year.

