Early voting is underway for the Aug. 2 county general
election and state primary.
Early voting continues through July 28. To find locations
and hours, visit the Knox County Election Commission's website.
A copy of the sample
ballot is available as well.
If you live outside of Knox County:
Anderson County sample ballot
Blount County sample ballot
Campbell County sample ballot
Claiborne County sample ballot
Cocke County sample ballot
Cumberland County sample ballot
Fentress County sample ballot
Grainger County sample ballot
Hamblen County sample ballot
Hancock County sample ballot
Jefferson County sample ballot
Loudon County sample ballot
Monroe County sample ballot
Morgan County sample ballot
Roane County sample ballot
Scott County sample ballot
Sevier County sample ballot
Union County sample ballot
Governor's race
Diane Black (R)
Diane Black was born January 16, 1951, in Baltimore, Maryland.and
graduated from Andover High School. After attending a college in
Maryland, she moved to Nashville to attend Belmont University to
become a registered nurse. Black is pro-life and plans to protect
the religious freedom of entities that refuse to perform, pay, or
refer abortions. She previously served in the state legislature and
has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 6th
congressional district since 2011.
Twitter: @RepDianeBlack
Instagram: @repdianeblack
Facebook: Diane
Black
Randy Boyd (R)
Randy Boyd was born in South Knoxville in 1954 and graduated from
the University of Tennessee. Boyd said he is a proud Republican and
wants to improve the lives of Tennesseans. One way is through the
Drive to 55 campaign, which makes sure 55 percent of Tennesseans are
getting an education past high school, whether that’s college or
mechanical school. He has worked with current governor, Bill Haslam.
Twitter: @randyboyd
Instagram: @randyboydtn
Facebook: Randy
Boyd TN
Beth Harwell
(R)
Beth Harwell moved to Tennessee at age 16 and attended Lipscomb
University, where she earned a master’s degree from George Peabody
College and a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt. She said she always enjoyed
government, and that is when she ran for State Representative in the
56th district while teaching classes at Belmont. Beth is running for
governor because she wants to change the outlook on public spending.
She considers herself a Ronald Reagan Republican and became a state
chairman.
Twitter: BethHarwellTN
Instagram: beth.harwell
Facebook: Beth
Harwell
Bill Lee (R)
Bill Lee is married with four children and considers himself a
cattle raiser. He said he is a true Tennessean who values family,
his business, and his life in Tennessee. He spends most of his time
traveling and wants to make life easier for all Tennesseans. Bill
went to Auburn
University where he studied mechanical engineering. He now lives in
Franklin and he wants to lead Tennessee in the right direction and
build more jobs, and economic growth. He is running for governor for
Tennessee and his campaign focuses on the middle class, hard working
blue collars.
Twitter: BillLeeTN
Instagram: billleetn
Facebook: Bill
Lee
Basil Marceaux
(R)
Basil Marceaux was born May 26, 1952 in Pennsylvania. He ran for the
U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and also ran for governor
in 2002 as an independent. He considers himself a historian and
served as a US Marine. He is currently living in Soddy Daisy and is
running for governor to make a point for the economic growth for
Tennessee.
Twitter: marceaux2010
Facebook: Basil
Marceaux Jr.
Kay White (R)
Kay White was born and raised in East Tennessee. Kay is a woman of
faith and wants to lead that into the office. White is pro-life,
conservative and wants to help the state with hard decisions dealing
with economic issues. Kay attended East Tennessee State University
in Johnson City where she studied medicine. She was a business
owner, so she knows how to manage and be in charge. Kay said she is
speaking for the people, and she is running for governor to overall
improve the state of Tennessee. She wants to “drain the swamp” and
be out with the old and in with the new. Kay currently lives with
her husband and they both own Fresh Foods in Tennessee.
Twitter: @kaywhite4tngov
Facebook: Kay
White for Tennessee
Karl Dean (D)
Karl Dean is from Tennessee and has expressed a huge concern about
taxes. Dean is running for governor because he wants to bring more
of an economic opportunity to the state. His main focus is education
and jobs, saying he wants to make sure that everyone has an
opportunity to better themselves. He managed the city of Nashville
during the 2010 flood. He currently lives in Davidson County with
his family. He attended Belmont and knows how to run an office. Dean
has made public schools in Tennessee a main focus for his platform,
and is constantly visiting schools to showcase what he can do.
Twitter: KarlFDean
Instagram: electkarldean
Facebook: Elect
Karl Dean
Craig Fitzhugh
(D)
Craig is a native from Lauderdale County who attended Ripley High
School in 1968 and then the University of Tennessee, where he got
his master’s degree. Craig said he is a family, Godly, and community
man. He is seen all over doing things for his community. He wants to
make athletics important in Tennessee, and he believes that running
for governor will help with tax dollars and cut spending. He
currently is on the board of Launch Tennessee and has been very
active in the Dixie Youth Baseball and Softball Teams. Craig is a
huge supporter of lowering property taxes, education and public
schools in the state.
Twitter: craigfitzhugh
Instagram: craigfitzhugh
Facebook: Craig
Fitzhugh
Mezianne Vale
Payne (D)
Payne lives in Gainesboro and said she is fighting for the people.
She believes that everyone should be able to voice their own
opinion. She is originally from Alabama, but is excited to get to
know the state while campaigning. Payne is highly educated and is a
multimedia journalist. She studied journalism and is the only woman
running on the Democratic side of the gubernatorial ticket. She
fights for gun rights and wants every child should to feel safe
while in school.
Twitter: payne4governor
Facebook: Mezianne
Payne
The following are running as independents and can be written in:
Mark
"Coonrippy" Brown: Brown wants the Tennessee to pay closer
attention to the wildlife in the state. Brown went viral on YouTube
with a video of his pet raccoon. He is a strong Christian and
believes that the people’s voices should be heard.
Sherry L.
Clark: Clark ran for Knoxville mayor in 2006. She currently
lives in Knoxville with her family. No information on her current
platform is available.
Justin Cornett: Cornett
is a member of the Libertarian party and is from Lenoir City. He
focuses on returning the country to constitutional principles.
Gabriel
Fancher: Francher live in Murfreesboro where he is a realtor
with Reliant Realty. He is a member of the Libertarian party and is
a Western Kentucky University and Middle Tennessee State University
alumni. No information on his current platform is available.
Sean Bruce
Fleming: Fleming is a member of the Libertarian party and is
from Bradley, Tenn. No information on his current platform is
available.
William Andrew
Helmstetter: Helmstetter is a member of the Libertarian party
and is from Cleveland, Tenn. No information on his current platform
is available.
Cory King: King
is a member of the libertarian party and is from Knoxville. No
information on his current platform is available.
Mathew Koch: Koch
is a member of the Libertarian party and is from Chattanooga, Tenn.
No information on his current platform is available.
Tommy Ray
McAnally: McAnally is from Tullahoma, Tenn. No information on
his current platform is available.
Dr. Jessie D.
McDonald: McDonald is originally from Alabama, but has called
Tennessee home since college. He earned his doctorate in education
from Tennessee State University. Along with education and politics,
McDonald has experience in radio broadcast and has driven a cab for
over 33 years. McDonald is from Nashville, Tenn.
Toney Randall
Mitchell: Mitchell is originally from Virginia, but now lives in
Cleveland, Tenn. No information on his current platform is
available.
Yvonne Neubert: Neubert
earned a bachelor’s degree from East Tennessee State University. She
has been blind since her 20s. Nuebert is involved in many
organizations like The National Federation of the Blind, National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, an Tennessee School
for the Blind. Neubert says she is a member of the Green party,
though she also frequents Libertarian functions also. She lives in
Knoxville, Tenn.
Alfred Shawn
Rapoza: Rapoza is Hispanic American and lives in Hendersonville,
Tenn. He is a member of the Libertarian party. No information on his
current platform is available.
Chad Riden: Riden
is a resident of Nashville where he has lived for the past 18 years.
He graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a
bachelor’s degree in broadcasting/mass communications. Riden worked
in local television and radio before moving to Nashville in 2000 to
pursue a career in stand-up comedy. Riden is running to make a
difference when it comes to healthcare, school systems, housing,
labor and laws to protect from discrimination. Riden wants
healthcare for all, sustainable housing for the homeless,
legalization of marijuana and laws to protect the LGBT community.
Robert Sawyers
Sr.: Sawyers is a resident of Nashville where he lives with his
family. He graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor
of Science degree in criminal justice. Sawyers currently serves as a
CEO of Music City King’s and Queen’s Youth Sports, a non-profit
organization out of Nashville. If elected, he plans to bring all
Tennesseans out of poverty, stop social injustice, legalize
marijuana and raise the minimum wage rate.
Heather Scott: Scott
is a resident of Mt. Juliet and was an independent candidate for
District 57 of the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2010. No
information on her current platform is available.
George
Blackwell Smith IV: Smith is a resident of Chattanooga. No
information on his current platform is available.
Jeremy Allen
Stephenson: Stephenson is a resident of Seymour where he lives
with his wife and two sons. He is chairman of the Sevier County
Libertarian Party and currently works as a delivery driver for
FedEx. Stephenson stands for pushing liberty on all legislative
level.
Tracy C. Yaste
Tisdale: Tisdale is a resident of Maryville where she lives with
her husband and three children. She is running to make the state of
Tennessee a better place.
If elected, Tisdale plans to legalize medical marijuana, find and
expose corruption in the state, take responsibility and promote
honesty.
Mike Toews: Toews
is a resident of Signal Mountain where he lives with his wife and
three daughters. He's a U.S. Air Force veteran, having served for
over 20 years. He stands for more freedom and less government. If
elected, Toews plans to do away with current state funding of
political parties, create equality laws, limit government spending
and cut taxes.
Rick Tyler: Tyler
is from Miami but is currently a resident of Ocoee, Tennessee, where
he lives with his family. He has sought office before, running for
the 3rd congressional district House seat and the U.S. Senate, but
lost both races. If elected, Tyler plans to stop what he calls the
"Muslim invasion in the state," end abortion, protect gun rights and
help students in public schools receive a better education.
Vinnie
Vineyard: Vineyard is a resident from Pigeon Forge and graduated
from the University of Alabama Samoa with a bachelor’s degree in
political science. He's licensed in alcohol and drug counseling,
owns a small business and is a current on-air personality at Big and
Funky Productions in Gatlinburg. If elected, Vineyard plans to
protect the First and Second amendments, legalize medical marijuana,
protect civil liberties, protect personal freedoms, supports term
limit of elected officials and promote peace.
Jaron D.
Weidner: Weidner is a resident of Memphis where he lives with
his family. He attended Visible Music College in Nashville where he
studied music business. He is co-owner of Avenue Coffee in Memphis
and is a producer and vocalist in band. No information on his
current platform is available.
Patrick
Whitlock: Whitlock is a resident of Franklin and attended
Vanderbilt University in 1999. He went on to be an assistant
basketball coach at Pepperdine University for five years. While at
Pepperdine, he received a master's degree in educational technology.
Whitlock currently teaches government at Ravenwood High school where
he also coaches the men’s basketball team. If elected, Whitlock’s
main goal is to improve the education system. His campaign centers
off the issues of education, infrastructure and the legalization of
sports gambling.
Joe B. Wilmoth: The
candidate did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
Mark Wright: Wright
started his career in management in the car rental industry while
completing his bachelor’s degree in business management from Middle
Tennessee State University. He spent over a decade in progressive
leadership roles focusing on the people side of change management
including leading nationwide process improvement teams for Dollar
Thrifty Automotive group. He has used this experience to help
implement changes in manufacturing and warehousing companies in
Middle Tennessee while prioritizing being a dad to two kids. Mark
entered the race because he believes that in the current political
environment there is a desperate need to bring people together to
generate long-term solutions. He will use his experience and success
in these areas to focus on strengthening families and communities
today and for generations to come.
Candidates for U.S. Senate
Marsha
Blackburn (R)
Marsha Blackburn is from Brentwood. She, along with her husband
Chuck, have been married for 42 years and have two children and two
grandchildren. According to her website, Blackburn started out
selling educational books, listening to people as she went door to
door. She is currently running for the United States senate to
"remind the senate that it serves you."
Twitter: Marsha
Blackburn
Facebook: Marsha
Blackburn
Aaron L.
Pettigrew (R)
Aaron Pettigrew is originally from Wyoming, currently living outside
of Murfreesboro. According to his website, Pettigrew is a Tennessean
by choice, and is running because he believes that "now is the time
to send someone to Washington that really will listen to you,
represent you and serve you!"
Twitter: Aaron
Pettigrew
Facebook: Aaron
Pettigrew For Senate
Phil Bredesen
(D)
Phil Bredesen was governor of Tennessee from 2003 to 2011. He grew
up in Shortsville, N.Y., and earned a bachelor's degree in physics
from Harvard University. He and his wife, Andrea, moved to Tennessee
in 1975. He's running for Senate to represent Tennesseans and "bring
Congress back to basics."
Twitter: Phil
Bredesen
Facebook: Bredesen
for Senate
Gary Davis (D)
Gary Davis did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
John Wolfe (D)
John Wolfe attended the University of Tennessee and graduated in
1978 with a degree in political science. He then went to the
University of Memphis and graduated in 1982 with a law degree. He's
currently running for the Tennessee seat in the United States
Senate.
Twitter: John
Wolfe U.S. Senate
Facebook: John
Wolfe U.S. Senate
The following are running as independents and can be written in:
Trudy A.
Austin: Austin is a retired Army captain from Harriman. She is
married and has two children. She completed her Bachelor's of Arts
degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
John Carico: The
candidate did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
Dean Hill: The
candidate did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
Kevin Lee
McCants: The candidate did not respond to a request for
information about his current platform.
Breton
Phillips: The candidate did not respond to a request for
information about his current platform.
Kris L. Todd: Todd
is a lifelong resident of Tennessee raised in Medina. He graduated
from Lambuth College in Jackson with a Bachelor's and then obtained
a Master's from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is running
for Senate because he "loves Tennessee and is really concerned about
the nation."
Candidates for U.S. House District 1
Mickie Lou
Banyas (R)
Born to an Army captain, Banyas grew up living all around the United
States. She spent several years in Germany, and her family later
moved to Johnson City. She attended school to become a pediatric
nurse. After several of nursing, she began studying social sciences
and government at Harvard. She joined the Navy in 1996 to help pay
for her law school. She graduated from Pepperdine Law School and is
licensed in Tennessee. Banyas is passionate about fighting for the
rights and care for our service men and women. She wants to keep
training for jobs strong in our state and continue to grow our
economy.
Facebook: Banyas
for Congress
James Brooks
(R)
James Brooks did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
Todd McKinley
(R)
A native to Kingsport, McKinley joined the Army shortly after
graduating from Sullivan North High School. During his 11 years of
service, he worked on individual assignments in the white house for
six and half years, earned his rank as an SFC, and spent time in
both Iraq and Afghanistan before retiring in 2016. While serving
time, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security from
American Military University and Masters in Global Leadership from
Duquesne University. Since retiring from the U.S Army, he has
volunteered with several veteran service organizations and has
similarly served as a state delegate to the 2017 Young Republican
National Convention and a volunteer for the 2017 Presidential
Inaugural Committee. The time he spent in the Army led to his
passion for helping veterans, and help aid in the change from
military life to civilian life.
Twitter: @todd4house
Facebook: Todd
McKinley for Congress
Phil Roe (R)
Born in Clarksville, Roe earned his medical degree at the University
of Tennessee and then served two years in the United States Army
Medical Corps. He ran a medical practice in Johnson City for 31
years, delivering around 5,000 babies. From his years as a
Physicians, Roe grew passionate about America’s health care system.
He is the co-chairman of the House GOP Doctors Caucus and a member
of the Health Caucus. Before serving in Congress, Phil served as the
Mayor of Johnson City from 2007 to 2009 and Vice Mayor from 2003 to
2007.
Twitter: @DrPhilRoe
Instagram: @drphilroe
Facebook: Phil
Roe for Congress
Marty Olsen (D)
A former OB-GYN physician, Olsen grew up in Appalachia where he
found his passion for opiate-addicted pregnant women. He found he
loved providing and aiding treatment to both the baby and the
mother. His physician practice took him to international borders in
the Middle East where he taught health and safety courses. Olsen
also invented unique surgical simulation technology to help in
medical training. Olsen aims to provide aid in public health
insurance coverage so all people can have access to health care.
Twitter: @martyo4congress
Facebook: Marty
Olsen for Congress
The following is running as independents and can be written in:
Michael D.
Salyer:The candidate did not respond to a request for
information about his current platform.
Canidates for U.S. House District 2
Tim Burchett
(R)
A graduate of Bearden High School and the University of Tennessee,
Burchett has spent most of his adult life serving in government. In
2010, he served as Knox County mayor where he focused on fighting
against property tax and cutting down the county's debt and built a
new elementary school. Before serving as mayor, he served in the
State House of Representatives and State Senate. Tim has a passion
for fighting for “what is right” and fighting for East Tennessee.
Twitter: @timburchett
Facebook: Tim
Burchett
Jason Frederick
Emert (R)
An eighth-generation East Tennessean, Emert has earned both his MBA
and law degree before taking over the family business. He then
started a company of his own that he has run for several years.
Emert has a passion for future leaders as he has worked as an
adjunct professor teaching a wide range of American government
topics. He hopes to fight for values of the Republic party.
Twitter: @jasonemert
Facebook: Jason
Emert
Hank
Hamblin (R)
Born to working-class parents, Hamblin learned from an early age the
value of working hard. Raised in LaFollette, Hamblin joined the Army
and served for 26 years. The leadership skills Hamblin learned while
serving has helped him make a change for East Tennessee.
Jimmy
Matlock (R)
Matlock comes from a family with deep roots in Lenoir city. He
helped run his family business, Matlock Tire Service & Auto Repair,
for over 30 years before getting into local politics (Loudon Co.
Republican Party) and eventually getting elected to state house
where he served for 11 years. Matlock is running for congress due to
disdain with the current climate in Washington. According to his
website, “I’ve watched with disgust as Washington, D.C., seems to
become more and more of a swamp filled with self-serving career
politicians who say one thing to get elected and then act for their
own self interests once in office. I believe that men and women of
principle must now rise to the challenge of reclaiming the Capitol
and correcting the course that’s been set in DC.” Matlock believes
that he can accomplish his goals due to the fact that he’s an
outsider that can bring East-Tennessee conservative values to
Congress.
Twitter: @JimmyMatlockTN
Facebook: Jimmy
Matlock For U.S. Congress
Sarah Ashley
Nickloes (R)
Ashley Nickloes serves with the Tennessee Air National Guard and the
Air Force and is currently a Lt. Colonel. She has a bachelor's in
communications with a focus on journalism and a minor in German.
After attaining these degrees from Appalachian State University, she
moved to Germany to further her German studies and later married her
husband, Dr. Todd Nickloes, and has five children. They now live in
Rockford. She's running because, according to her website, “A
strong, secure America needs its leadership in Washington that does
its job and does it well - Washington does not need more career
politicians.” Nickloes plans on going to Washington to strengthen
the military, protect the borders, and grow the economy. She isn’t a
career politician and doesn’t aspire to be one.
Twitter: Ashley
Nickloes for Congress
Facebook: Ashley
Nickloes for Congress
Vito
Sagliano (R)
Sagliano is a veteran who was a U.S. Navy Seabee, where he
participated in both military operations and humanitarian efforts.
He then became a steelworker and welder, and eventually started a
small business called VAS Technologies in 2012. He eventually closed
his business in 2016 to help his wife with her own small business,
and has been enjoying his life as a family man since its closure.
According to Sagliano's website, “I intend to bring the voice back
to “We the People” and prove to those who have me elected that the
people are the power behind this nation. Not by fancy words, but by
my actions. I stand by what is right, and defend those who need
their voices heard. We may ruffle some feathers in the process, but
that’s a risk I’m willing to take to do the right thing for the
People. I am a man of my word, and I will promise you I DO
deliver.”
Twitter: @vitoforcongress
Facebook: Vito
Sagliano for Congress
C. David
Stansberry (R)
Stansberry is an Army veteran who was inspired by Ronald Reagan's
handling of the Iranian embassy crisis. Stansberry has served in
Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. He’s a retired senior, a Minister at
Maynardville Church of Christ and worked three jobs for the last 20
years before retiring. Stansberry is running to, "provide equal
representation to all citizens of the 2nd Congressional district,
especially the regular, working people...The same-sex marriage issue
was examined and rejected by over 80% of Tennessee voters (1.4
million) in 2006. The U.S. Supreme Court unconstitutionally forced
all Americans to accept the homosexual church’s unique doctrine of
same-sex marriage in 2015. I believe this issue still matters to the
citizens in the 2nd Congressional district. No other candidate is
willing or able to stand up for the peoples' [sic] right to reject
this church’s radical doctrine. I have studied this religion since
the 1970's and am uniquely qualified to defend 2nd Congressional
District citizens right of freedom of religion and freedom of
speech.”
Facebook: stansberryforcongress
Renee Hoyos (D)
Hoyos is the daughter of a public school teacher and a Seventh-Day
Adventist. She holds her grandfather in high regard and values
public service, having been Executive Director of the Tennessee
Clean Water Network for the last 14 years. She has advanced degrees
in Science and Agricultural Management which she pursued after
college, and has also served as the Chairperson of the Board of
Directors for the national Clean Water Network, and was a founding
board member of the Community Health Alliance. She’s also served as
the Chairperson and Commissioner of the Knoxville Transportation
Authority, and was on the Board of Directors for the Bijou Theatre.
Hoyos is running because, “I am concerned that Congress doesn’t work
and is not attending to the needs of most Americans. It becomes more
obvious to me each day that the current administration is not
providing the leadership we need to meet the challenges we face.”
Hoyos is also concerned with environmental issues and healthcare, as
well as education.
Twitter: @Hoyos4Congress
Facebook: Renee
Hoyos for Congress
Joseph William
Schenkenfelder (D)
The candidate did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
Joshua
Williams (D)
Joshua Williams is a doctor with a degree in clinical psychology,
after being the head of a community health center in Maryville, he
then began work at a new division of East Tennessee Children’s
Hospital where he worked with children and their families. During
his time at Children’s Hospital, he helped over 2,000 children from
over 20 different counties in Tennessee. He and his wife, Dr. Laurie
Williams, have three children who are all adults. Williams is
running because, “It is time for true, effective leadership in
Washington. We need leaders who say what they mean, mean what they
say, and know how to get things done. We need leaders who aren’t
afraid to listen to good advice just because it comes from somebody
in the other political party.” Williams believes that Congress
doesn’t understand or care for the needs of the majority of US
citizens and wants to change that by being a voice for East
Tennessee. His focuses are affordable health insurance, growing
business, and bringing about progress without the sacrifice of civil
liberties.
Twitter: @Joshua4Congress
Facebook: Joshua
Williams for Congress
The following are running as independents and can be written in:
Jeffrey A.
Grunau: Grunau said he's running because, “this is a campaign to
reduce the partisan divide so we can address very real and very
serious challenges to our Nation’s future prosperity.” Grunau is
concerned with the "acrimonious partisan relationship" in the
country and in Congress and his main goals include changing laws
involving Congress in order to make managing the country and
improving it easier for all involved, including the average voter.
Keith A.
LaTorre: LaTorre said he's running because, “I’m on the ballot
because I’m dissatisfied with the partisanship in Washington, the
rhetoric is getting more and more negative and tribal, I’m on the
ballot, but quickly realized that you need to have a lot of time….so
instead of running, I’ll present my case when I have the time to
talk about how we’re Americans first, not republicans or democrats,
and we don’t need parties to have a discussion. When given the
opportunity without campaigning I like to extol candidates that are
anti-bipartisanship, Vito is a strict constitutionalist, Renee and
Joshua are good as well, Marc Whitmire is good as well, he comes
from the republican side but seeks some very progressive solutions.
Support bipartisan solutions. If I ever did run, as in campaign, I
would push 60-40, our district is 60% republican, 40% democrat, so
40% goes unrepresented— a candidate should vote 60% republican, and
40% democrat. If we put someone up there that votes 100% for one
party, that’s unfair to the citizens of our district.”
Greg Samples: Samples
is a Knoxville native that went to Central High School and graduated
with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UT. He’s lived in
Knoxville all his life and raised his family here, and became an
“Alternative Health Counselor” in 1988. He’s authored two books, the
Health Freedom Manual, and The Constitution of the United States of
the Earth. He first entered politics in 1994 for Congress, and was
chosen by the Libertarian party to run for the Senate in 1996. Since
then he’s run three campaigns for congress until 2012, and is now
running again. Samples said he's running because, “My goal as your
representative in Washington will be to bring Peace, Prosperity, and
Freedom to America. Each of these universally desired blessings have
been diminishing in recent years, and it is essential not only to
stop the erosion of these virtues, but to restore them to their
fullest measure….We can no longer allow our present government to
become more destructive. Please help me, in any way you can, to
restore our government to one that functions within its rightful
powers. As Edmund Burke once said, 'The only thing necessary for the
triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'”
Marc Whitmire: Whitmire
is a veteran and a small business owner who’s dedicated to ending
corruption in Washington. He's running because, “Marc is a veteran
and small business owner fighting to end the corrupting influence of
money in politics. He believes guaranteeing health care for every
American with Medicare for All will help entrepreneurs by freeing up
capital to grow their business and hire more workers. He will pursue
sensible investments in emerging industries to create thousands of
new, skilled jobs with good wages, ultimately reducing dependence on
government services by closing the income gap. Those jobs will
require skills, and people will need the training and education to
pursue them. Marc believes every kid deserves a shot at the American
Dream, and will fight to take Tennessee’s promise of a free college
education to every citizen nationwide.”
Candidates for U.S. House District 3
Chuck
Fleischmann (R)
Fleischmann currently represents the 3rd district of Tennessee and
lives in Ooltewah with his wife, Brenda, and their three sons,
Charles, Jamie and Jeffrey. According to his website, he is running
for office so he can "try to bring that American dream that he's
been privileged to be a part of to you, to your family and to your
grandchildren."
Twitter: @RepChuck
Facebook: Congressman
Chuck Fleischmann
Jeremy Shane
Massengale (R)
Massengale lives in Cleveland with his wife, Molly, and their
youngest son, Phillip. Their oldest son, Nathan, is currently
enrolled in the University of Tennessee. According to his website,
Massengale is "not a lawyer or career politician. He is a blue
collar worker that knows what it is like to live from paycheck to
paycheck." He is running because "he believes it is time for citizen
legislators to be sent to congress."
Twitter: Jeremy
Massengale for Congress
Facebook: Jeremy
Massengale for Congress
Harold E.
Shevlin (R)
Shevlin is a businessman living in Ooltewah, TN with his wife of 28
years. Together, they've had 7 children. Shevlin says that he has
spent much of his adult life buying failing businesses and building
them up. "I know this has given me the experience to succeed not
only for myself but for the folks I represent," Shevlin writes.
Twitter: Harold
Shevlin
Facebook: Harold
Shevlin for Congress
William E.
Spurlock, Sr. (R)
Spurlock grew up in Chattanooga. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps,
and after three years of active duty he attended the University of
Tennessee in Chattanooga, earning a B.S. in business management.
Spurlock has worn many hats throughout his life, working as a police
officer, mechanic, welder and carpenter, to name a few. He is
running for Congress because "the values sculpted by a call to duty
and service to country are more important than ever."
Twitter: William
E. Bill Spurlock Sr.
Facebook: Spurlock
For Congress
Danielle
Mitchell (D)
Dr. Mitchell is a small business owner from Hixson. According to her
website, she grew up in a poor family and decided to go into
medicine in order to help others. "I have spent my adult life
listening to and caring for others," her website says. "Representing
people means you listen to their concerns, you find solutions, and
you get stuff done."
Facebook: Dr.
Danielle Mitchell for US Congress TN-3
The following is running as independents and can be written in:
Rick Tyler: The
candidate did not respond to a request for information about his
current platform.
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