The supermajority in Nashville does not represent the needs of its citizens, and is increasingly enacting regressive legislation that diminishes the rights, freedoms, and safety of Tennesseans. We must move forward in a way that is inclusive, progressive, and representative of all Tennesseans.
A little about me
I’ve lived all over the United States, from the Northeast, to Florida, to Tennessee, to California. As a Navy kid, I got used to the moves, and learned to embrace living in diverse environments and communities. I attended Maryville College and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology before commencing my career in technical writing, quality assurance, and auditing within the science industry. But I was always drawn back to Tennessee for its natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
From childhood onward, I have been an advocate for those who did not have a voice, those who were vulnerable, and those who were treated differently for not conforming to the status quo. I have never been afraid to stand up for what is right, and I have always believed that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, no matter what they believe, who they are, or who they love.
"I want to bring these values to the Tennessee House so that everyone has a voice, knowing they have a representative in their corner who listens to their concerns and puts their needs at the forefront of decision making."
Top Five Issues
Reproductive Rights
The restriction of women’s reproductive rights in the state of Tennessee, coinciding with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, is one of the issues that urgently needs to be addressed by the Tennessee General Assembly. Bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right, including the right to abortion, IVF, and birth control. We have already seen the consequences of abortion restrictions in our state, forcing women to cross state lines to prevent serious injury and even death in the face of pregnancy complications. IVF and birth control are also on the line, with precedents being set in other states that could also extend to Tennessee if we do nothing to stop it. We must do everything possible to ensure that reproductive rights are unequivocally upheld by Tennessee law.
LGBTQIA+ Rights
The restriction of LGBTQIA+ rights is another matter of urgent importance. Since 2015, Tennessee has enacted over a dozen laws that restrict the rights of LGBTQIA+ citizens. Equal treatment under the law is a fundamental right, and the rights of Tennesseans should not be restricted based on orientation or who a person chooses to love. We must respect the individuality of each citizen and ensure that equal rights are enshrined within Tennessee law.
Education
The funding of public education is of critical importance for the children and educators of Tennessee. Public schools need to ensure they can attract quality educators by providing appropriate compensation, along with other resources to provide the best education to students. Although the school voucher bill is dead for now, we must ensure that it is not resuscitated in future legislative sessions. Public funds should only be used for public schools.
Gun Safety
The enactment of responsible gun legislation is of utmost importance to the safety of Tennesseans. Since the Covenant school shooting in Nashville last year, no meaningful gun safety legislation has been passed. In fact, recent legislation has weakened gun laws, removing the requirements for carry permits, background checks, and safety training. Attempts to enact safety measures, including a red flag law or expansion of background checks, have failed. We must enact common sense gun legislation that protects the safety of Tennesseans.
Healthcare
The refusal of our current Tennessee legislature to expand Medicaid has been detrimental to the health of hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans. The expansion of Medicaid would reduce hospital closures in rural areas and allow many of the uninsured to receive healthcare, as well as provide care for those struggling with mental illness and substance abuse issues. We must move forward with legislation that benefits the health of all Tennesseans, regardless of income.
