Group Looking to Oust Rep. Deberry

Memphis, Tn - A movement is growing to try and draft a candidate to run against State Representative John Deberry.

The group says Deberry's voting record doesn't fit with the neighborhood within the boundaries of his re-drawn district.

Most of Midtown is in the new District 90. This group says Deberry's history of voting against gay rights does not fit in with the attitude of the community.

An email is circulating to raise money to support someone to run against Deberry. The goal is to find a socially liberal candidate and raise at least $50,000.

The email includes Deberry's voting record on social issues. Deberry sponsored a bill to prohibit gay and lesbian adoption in Tennessee. He recently voted for the so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill.

"These neighborhoods include a lot of gay people, a lot of people who are pro-equality, who value women's reproductive health. John Deberry's record doesn't reflect those values," said Jonathan Cole with the Tennessee Equality Project.

Deberry responded by saying, "Everybody is entitled to their opinion and everyone is entitled to their beliefs. That's what being forgot in these issues. I'm entitled to my beliefs, they're entitled to their beliefs, this is America."

Deberry says he was surprised to hear of this effort.

So far the group has not narrowed down a candidate to run against him yet. The filing deadline for the election is in April. The primary and general election are this fall.