Who is Lemon Williams,and why should you vote for him?
With midterm elections right around the corner,I know we've all been bombarded with so much information on so many candidates running for different offices. I have to admit,I find myself tuning out so many of the television ads and just driving by the yard signs that seem to be everywhere. Like so many other people,I also find myself looking for candidate names that I recognize. After all, there are a lot of candidates to remember right? Every candidate has their own spiel on why they're the best option for you.
So why am I writing this, and why am I trying to sell you on a political newbie you've probably never heard of before this year?
The answer is simple: Lemon is a close personal friend of mine. Does that make me biased towards him? Absolutely, but hear me out before you dismiss what I have to say. I've been friends with Lemon since we met in 1987, when we were in 7th grade back in Huntsville, Al. We've remained close friends in spite of the fact that for most of our friendship we've lived in different states and different parts of the country. When he moved to Chattanooga after 9th grade, I thought I had lost a great friend forever. As it turned out, that was just the beginning of what would be one of the greatest friendships of my life. As we grew up and time passed, we managed to stay in touch with each other. We cheered each other on when we succeeded and supported each other when life handed us losses. We've seen each other work our way up from two young black men struggling to make something of ourselves to successful entrepreneurs today.
So.......what does that have to do with your vote?
Everything. Lemon and I have different political views. He's a Republican,and I'm a non-party affiliated independent voter. What we do have in common is a desire to help improve the communities we live in. That desire transcends party lines and ideologies. I couldn't care less about the letter in parentheses beside a candidate's name on a ballot as much as I care about what they plan to do for their constituents.
This is the part that you've endured my long winded diatribe for.
As I mentioned earlier, Lemon and I both endured more than a few setbacks and failures on our respective career and business paths. There have been times when Filet Mignon was on the menu for dinner, and there were times when dinner was a piping hot cup of cheap ramen noodles with fast food hot sauce for extra flavoring. We're not so far removed from "the struggle" that we can't remember what it's like. That's why Lemon is running to represent the people of District 28. He's not one to just talk about what he wishes things were like, he simply steps up when he sees that something needs to be done.
He's been one of my dearest and closest my friend for over 30 years because he's selfless in his desire to see everyone doing well. If Lemon had $5 and I was flat broke, then we both had $2.50 because he wouldn't leave me with nothing. If Lemon had a sandwich and I was hungry, we both had half of a sandwich. That's the type of person you want fighting for you in Nashville. So while I don't agree with everything I see from the Republican Party today, I can say with certainty that I back my good friend and brother Lemon Williams, Jr. 100 percent. We may not see eye to eye on political party affiliations, but we are in complete agreement that if we see an opportunity to help our communities we will do whatever we can to make our communities better places.
Lemon's entire life up to this point has always been about succeeding and making sure that everyone else succeeds,too. That same spirit is what he's offering to take to Nashville on behalf of his community and the great people of District 28.
I won't ask you to vote for Lemon based solely on what I've said about him. I simply ask that you get to know him, and get a complete understanding of how he plans to help District 28 before you head to the polls.
Thank you, and God bless!
Clennon Hughes