Care and Freedom for All
THE "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL"
The "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) passed by Congress and signed into law has cut funding for Medicaid (TennCare), Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and reduced subsidies that make health insurance premiums affordable under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Explained as a measure to reduce (nonexistent) fraud and abuse, it is instead cutting assistance to Tennesseans trying to afford basic needs, so that the wealthy can continue to get big tax breaks.
Though TennCare, CHIP, and SNAP are administered through the state of Tennessee, the Federal Government funds on average 65% of these programs. The anticipated Federal funding cuts in Tennessee will create a gap of $12-15 billion a year.
When, where and how is Tennessee going to fill this gap? The loss of these funds, without a viable replacement means that Tennesseans will see reductions in benefits and/or more expensive premiums and co-pays.
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It’s not easy to understand the impact of Federal funding cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) when the numbers are in the billions of dollars. Most of us can’t even comprehend that amount of money. Perhaps an easier way to view the devastation created by this bill is to understand that . . .
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in Tennessee 1,424,514 people receive Medicaid (TennCare) benefits, including Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) helps 711,200 people put food on the table.
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The Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced credits allow 642,867 people to purchase affordable medical insurance when their employer doesn’t provide it and they earn a little too much to qualify for Medicaid.
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Those needing TennCare, CHIP and SNAP will face an increasingly difficult application process, with a need to prove their eligibility more often.
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They will also see a decrease in benefits. 50-65% of nursing home patients depend on TennCare to pay their room and board.
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Medicare recipients are not spared, either: 40-50% of Medicare patients depend on TennCare to pay their Part B Medicare premiums (for doctors and outpatient care) which will increase to over $200/month in 2026.
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Hospitals/nursing homes, doctors and allied healthcare providers will be receiving lower reimbursement rates which could lead to closures and fewer providers agreeing to accept TennCare patients.
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ACA insurance premiums are expected to increase as much as 75% in 2026 with the non-renewal of the enhanced subsidies. This will put many families at risk of losing their health insurance.
These people are our friends, families and neighbors. Slashing these programs will be devastating to them, all so that rich people and corporations can get tax cuts they don't need. I believe no one should have to lose healthcare or go hungry just to further enrich the wealthy, and I will join the fight with Democrats to claw back these cuts to so many hard-won and vital programs.
Accountability and Civility
Too often, the workings of our government are hidden behind closed doors—far from the everyday lives of the people it’s meant to serve. As an outsider candidate running for Congress, I believe that transparency and civility must both be top priorities. Without them, how can we trust our institutions, or have real faith that our voices are being heard?
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Decisions about our healthcare, our schools, our jobs, and our children’s future are being made—often without the input of those most affected. And worse still, political debate has become toxic, driven more by outrage and division than by honest dialogue or problem-solving. Somewhere along the way, too many elected officials have forgotten that their job is to represent you — not to win arguments, score points, or serve special interests.
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I don’t take money from PACs, and I’m not beholden to corporate lobbyists. My campaign is powered by everyday people because I believe our representatives should work for the people, not for the highest bidder. But beyond how we fund our campaigns, we must also change how we speak to each other—and how we govern.
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If elected, I will lead with openness, respect, and a commitment to rebuilding trust. That means holding regular town halls—both in person and online—where you can speak directly to me and hear what’s happening in Washington. It means publishing my votes, explaining my decisions, and welcoming conversations with people of all political stripes.
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I believe we can disagree without disrespect. We can challenge each other’s ideas without attacking one another’s character. Government should not be something done to the people, but something done with the people—and it works best when we bring honesty, humility, and decency back into the public square.
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It’s time to raise the standard. Let’s restore transparency, accountability, and basic respect to the way we do politics. If given the chance, I’ll be that kind of representative. Together, we can bring not just better policies—but a better tone—back to Congress.
Roots Before Profits
CLEAN ENERGY AND JOBS IN TENNESSEE
Tennessee is blessed with some of the most magnificent natural beauty in the nation. From the rugged terrain and woodlands of the Cumberland Plateau to the rolling hills and rich farmland of the Highland Rim, our landscapes offer more than just scenery—they provide recreation, clean air, fresh water, and a deep sense of home. But with such beauty comes responsibility. We must be wise stewards of our environment—not just for ourselves, but for the generations to come.
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Unfortunately, recent federal policy is heading in the wrong direction. The so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” (OBBB) promotes increased use of oil, coal, and gas, reversing progress on clean energy and environmental protection. While some call this “energy dominance,” the truth is more troubling. Experts from clean energy organizations report that this approach increases carbon dioxide and methane emissions, driving climate change and putting our land, air, and water at risk.
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The contrast with earlier efforts couldn’t be more stark. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, Tennessee—and many other states that voted for Trump—benefited greatly. In fact, 77% of IRA investments and 78% of the jobs created so far have gone to red states. Tennessee alone secured $5.7 billion in clean energy investments and created 6,500 jobs thanks to the IRA. These weren’t just numbers—they represented real opportunities in solar, wind, battery production, and electric vehicles.
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According to Climate Power, the IRA fueled a nationwide clean energy boom, generating over 400,000 jobs and sparking a surge in new factories. But now, those gains are quickly unraveling. Since the OBBB was signed into law, many clean energy projects have been canceled due to withdrawn or unallocated funding. One major blow: the federal tax credits for electric vehicles—up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used ones—will end on September 20, 2025.
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This policy shift could have major consequences for Tennessee. We are home to several major electric vehicle manufacturing investments. Ford’s BlueOval City in West Tennessee is a $5.6 billion project focused on electric trucks and batteries. Volkswagen builds its ID.4 electric SUV in Chattanooga. General Motors invested $2 billion to upgrade its Spring Hill plant for EV production. A study from the University of Tennessee's Baker Center, in partnership with clean energy advocates, predicted over 16,000 jobs could be created in EV manufacturing across the state. But after the passage of the OBBB, Ford announced it will delay full production at BlueOval City until 2028, a major setback for workers and local economies.
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While the White House claimed the bill would “deliver relief to American families,” organizations like Grist say the opposite is true—calling the policy a source of “chaos and confusion” as clean energy programs lose funding and direction.
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Tennessee deserves leaders who understand what’s at stake. Clean, affordable energy isn’t just about the environment—it’s about jobs, health, and long-term prosperity. Our state’s natural beauty is a treasure. We must protect it—not trade it away for outdated, polluting energy sources.
Now is the time for true stewardship, not shortsighted policy.
Respect for Public Service
STANDING UP FOR THOSE WHO SERVE US ALL
As a first-time congressional candidate and Navy veteran, I am running not just to represent a district, but to fight for the dignity and respect that every veteran, teacher, and public servant deserves. These individuals form the backbone of our communities, yet they are often overlooked, underpaid, and mistreated despite their invaluable contributions.
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Veterans return home carrying the invisible weight of war—physical injuries, mental health challenges like PTSD, and a complex transition back into civilian life. Far too many face long wait times for VA care, underfunded support programs, and difficulty securing stable employment. These brave individuals answered the call of duty without hesitation. We owe them not only gratitude, but a lifelong commitment to their well-being.
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Teachers and public servants face a different but no less urgent crisis. Across the nation, educators are being asked to do more with less—larger class sizes, outdated resources, and increasingly hostile work environments. Many live paycheck to paycheck, working second jobs just to make ends meet. Meanwhile, public employees in essential roles—social workers, sanitation workers, first responders—are vulnerable to random layoffs and politically motivated budget cuts. These are not just jobs; they are callings, and the people who fill them do so out of love for their communities.
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This cannot continue. As your representative, I pledge to champion policies that reflect the value of our public servants. I will fight to fully fund veterans’ healthcare and employment programs, support fair wages and job protections for teachers, and defend the jobs and dignity of all public sector workers. This includes pushing for legislation that prevents politically driven layoffs and protects workers’ rights to organize and advocate for fair treatment.
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Respect must be more than a slogan — it must be written into our laws and reflected in our budgets. When we honor our public servants, we strengthen the very foundation of our democracy. I’m ready to get to work—and I’ll never stop fighting for those who serve us all.
Workers Rights
A FAIR WAGE FOR AN HONEST DAY'S WORK
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In America, the promise has always been simple: if you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to support yourself and your family with dignity. But today, that promise is broken for too many working people.
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Over the past few decades, worker productivity has soared. American workers are more efficient, more skilled, and more productive than ever before. Yet wages have barely budged. In fact, after adjusting for inflation, many workers are earning less today than they did a generation ago. Meanwhile, CEO pay has skyrocketed — rising nearly 1,200% since 1978 — while the average worker’s wages have barely kept pace with the cost of living. That’s not just unfair — it’s unsustainable.
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This isn’t the result of inevitable economic forces. It’s the result of deliberate policy choices that favor the wealthy and powerful over everyday Americans. The right to a fair wage, decent benefits, and safe working conditions should not be a radical idea. It’s basic dignity.
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That’s why I’m running for Congress — to fight for working families, not corporate lobbyists. I will champion legislation to raise the minimum wage, ensure equal pay for equal work, and rein in runaway executive compensation. Just as importantly, I will fight to protect and expand workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain. When workers have a seat at the table, they win better pay and better conditions — and all of society benefits.
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It’s time to rebuild an economy that rewards hard work — not just wealth. I believe in a country where no one who works full-time lives in poverty. In Congress, I’ll work every day to make that vision a reality. Because a fair wage for an honest day’s work isn’t too much to ask — it’s the American way.
Voting Rights in America
THE BATTLE FOR SUFFRAGE
The right to vote stands as a foundational pillar of American democracy. Yet, the path to universal suffrage in the United States has been marked by progress, setbacks and ongoing struggles. From the groundbreaking Voting Rights Act to recent efforts that threaten to erode access to the ballot box, the story of voting rights in America is one of expansion since the beginnings of the Republic to today’s efforts to limit certain groups’ ability to vote. Measures that deny citizens of any age, color or place of residence to vote freely must be opposed, as America is NOT a place where rights are bestowed only upon a few.
THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT: A WATERSHED MOMENT
The struggle for voting rights in the United States traces back to the nation’s founding, when the right to vote was largely restricted to white property owners. Waves of reform such as the 15th Amendment (1870, prohibiting racial discrimination), the 19th Amendment (1920, granting the vote to women) and the 26th Amendment, lowering the voting age to 18) gradually expanded the electorate. Yet despite these legal victories, systemic barriers persisted, especially in the Jim Crow South.
The Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 emerged from the crucible of the Civil Rights Movement. Spurred by protests, marches, and the harrowing images from Selma, Alabama, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the VRA into law. Its purpose was clear: to eradicate racial discrimination in voting and enforce the 15th Amendment.
For decades, the VRA proved to be one of the most effective pieces of civil rights legislation in American history. Congress repeatedly expanded and reaffirmed the VRA. Amendments in 1970, 1975 and 1982 expanded voting protections. The VRA came to embody the federal government’s commitment to protecting the right to vote for all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity,
While the VRA transformed the landscape of America democracy, its success was not universally welcomed. Over time, opposition grew among lawmakers who objected to the federal government having the authority in the VRA to oversee state elections to force compliance and the authority, through the federal Justice Department to litigate against discriminatory practices.
CHANGES TO THE MANNER OF VRA ENFORCEMENT
In 2013 a major change took place in the way the VRA was authorized to be overseen by the federal government. In that year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Shelby County v. Holder that the federal oversight authority to determine which states required federal oversight was invalid. With this decision the Court rendered the VRA’s clearance authority over actions the federal government deemed to be discriminatory became toothless.
The aftermath of Shelby County saw a surge in state-level legislation affecting voting rights. States previously subject to pre-clearance quickly enacted laws that had once been blocked or deterred, including strict voter ID requirements, limitations on early voting, reduction of polling places and aggressive purging of voter rolls. These measures disproportionately affected communities of color, the elderly, students and the economically disadvantaged.
Recent years have seen a sharp escalation in efforts to restrict voting rights. Following the 2020 presidential election – marked by a record turnout and the expansion of mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic – many states introduced or passed bills tightening voting procedures. Proponents of these laws argue they are necessary to combat voter fraud and safeguard election integrity, even as multiple investigations and court rulings have found voter fraud to be exceedingly rare.
The new wave of restrictions includes:
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Stringent voter identification requirements that disproportionately impact low-income and minority voters.
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Reductions in early voting days and hours, making it harder for those with inflexiblework schedules to vote.
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Limitations on absentee and mail-in voting, which gained popularity during the pandemic.
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Closure and consolidation of polling places, especiallyinurban and minority-dominated areas, leading to longer lines and increased wait times.
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Enhanced purges of voter rolls, sometimes resulting in eligible voters being removed.
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Restrictions on third-party groups assisting with voter registration and ballot collection.
The impact effect of these restrictions has a disproportionate effect on minorities, as well as young voters, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Beyond the practical barriers, the proliferation of voting restrictions has a chilling effect on political participation, undermining faith in the democratic process.
In actions enabling these restrictions to be validated, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down many of the legal challenges to the practice of gerrymandering, a political process that enables state legislators to draw voting maps on political bases. Unfortunately, many of the gerrymandering efforts are designed to permit racial discrimination.
The most recent Supreme Court decision on gerrymandering was issued on May 23, 2024. In its decision, the Court allowed racial discrimination in the drawing of voting maps, dismissing the voices of Black voters challenging racial gerrymandering in South Carolina.
EFFORTS TO BROADEN THE BASE
Among challenges to the restrictive voting laws, Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation aiming to restore and strengthen the VRA, such as the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which seeks to reinstate federal oversight of states with histories of discrimination.
Countering the trend of restriction, some states and localities have pioneered reforms to broaden access to the ballot. These include automatic voter registration, same-day registration, expanded early voting and increased availability of mail-in ballots. In states where these provisions have been implemented, turnout rates have generally improved and the electorate has become more representative.
In addition, advocacy groups have also harnessed technology to boost voter engagement, educate the public with social media campaigns and digital outreach, and mobilize individuals to protect their rights.
CONCLUSION
The future of voting rights in America depends on the collective will to ensure that every citizen, regardless of background or circumstance, can exercise their fundamental right to vote. Vigilance, advocacy and legislative action are essential to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and realize the full promise of American citizenship. In addition the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act must be adopted.