- JB
- Raumesh Akbari at last week’s roast of former mayor Herenton
Raumesh Akbari, a lawyer and political newcomer, has won the Democratic primary for the vacant District 91 state House of Representatives seat against six opponents.
As most observers had predicted, turnout was low for the special primary election, made necessary by the death this summer of longtime incumbent Lois DeBerry. Only 1,812 votes were cast, with 502 going for winner Akbari.
Two contenders bearing established political names did less well than expected. Kemba Ford, daughter of former state Senator and Tennessee Waltz figure John Ford, finished third, with 355 votes, and Doris DeBerry-Bradshaw, a cousin to the late Lois DeBerry and sister of state Rep. John DeBerry (D-District 91), finished sixth, with 111 votes.
Runner-up to Akbari was Terica Lamb, with 399 votes.Others were: Joshua Forbes, fourth with 261 votes; Clifford Lewis, fifth with 134 votes; and Kermit Moore, seventh with 47 votes.
There were no Republican candidates and no Republican primary. Akbari’s only opponent in the November 21 special general election will be Libertarian Jim Tomask, listed on the ballot as an independent.
The winner of that election will hold the office until the next regular election cycle in 2014.
