Policy Positions

"We all deserve the chance to vote for someone rather than against someone, and my hope is that this year you will meet me and feel a sense of relief that you can be genuinely represented at the highest level in Tennessee."

"We all deserve the chance to vote for someone rather than against someone, and my hope is that this year you will meet me and feel a sense of relief that you can be genuinely represented at the highest level in Tennessee."

Livability
Accountability
Civility
My Promise
Livability
Accountability
Civility
My Promise
Livability
Accountability
Civility
My Promise

Livability

Tennesseans should be able to afford their lifestyle through their hard work, and basic human rights should be well within reach.

Tennesseans should be able to afford their lifestyle through their hard work, and basic human rights should be well within reach.

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

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Economy

Income Tax: I am opposed to legislation that would create a state income tax. I support facilitating better relationships between under-resourced counties and Tennessee’s philanthropic investors. Grocery Tax: I will explore the viability of the state budget if groceries are no longer taxable items in the state (see SNAP Benefits for my immediate concern). SNAP Legislation: I do not see fiscal soundness in blocking SNAP benefit dollars for snacks and sodas in Tennessee, which greatly impacts grocers who will need to increase the cost of all groceries to cover this loss of income and thus pass down the cost of food for middle class families. Tax Breaks for Great Places to Work: I will coordinate with legislators to draft a tax bill incentivizing businesses to expand healing-centered workplaces for second chance programs, human trafficking survivors, and adults with intellectual disabilities. Hemp Products: I support legalizing the sale of hemp products across Tennessee in order to better regulate the safety of the products, ensure medicinal use is available, generate tax profits off of these products, and relieve law enforcement officers from a burdensome set of drug laws.

Housing and Growth

Property and Sales Taxes: I am open to tapering property taxes on primary residences once a homeowner is drawing social security benefits or once the residence is fully owned. Eliminating all property taxes in Tennessee would be devastating for local infrastructure, however. Eliminating property tax would require a sweeping increase of sales tax, which is already a burden on Tennessee families. Raising sales tax only further incentivizes citizens in 42 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to cross state lines in order to purchase cheaper goods. Supporting Local Government: I will prioritize my connection with local governments, encouraging county commissions with financial incentives to adopt best practices for housing reform as a condition of receiving state infrastructure grants. This balances Tennessee's need for more housing options with the unique situation of each local government and community. Transfer Tax: I support local governments receiving a share of the TN transfer tax (a state tax collected on all home/property sales) so that communities experiencing rapid growth will have additional funding for infrastructure improvements.

Healthcare

Rural Health: I will work to expose corporate health insurance lobbyists trying to consume independent health systems in Tennessee by tying federal rural health grants to the elimination of Certificates of Need, which currently protect rural hospitals and clinics from profit-driven healthcare systems. Preventative Healthcare: Tennessee must prioritize the expansion of primary care as a preventative healthcare measure for Tennesseans ages 20-40, utilizing telehealth, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, and EMTs. Health Insurance Fraud: The black market of personal health data may be the least discussed budget crisis in Tennessee. I will crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud primarily committed by opportunistic marketplace brokers selling your healthcare data on a black market. A strong consideration will be separating the Financial Services Investigation Unit from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, better resourcing insurance fraud investigations through the TN Bureau of Investigation or the Attorney General’s office. Women’s Health: In August 2022, Tennessee passed the Human Life Protection Act, which continues to face ongoing litigation for its vague exceptions to prenatal care. Two things can be true: Women should not be denied the life-saving care they need when facing complications during pregnancy and elective abortions should not be paid for by taxpayer dollars in Tennessee per federal law. I will continue to walk a nuanced path of holding both, the life of the mother and the life of the child, while advocating for solutions for both. Tennessee must address maternity care deserts as a public health priority, paying particular attention to dismantling racialized maternity mortality inequities in our state. Prescription Costs: I will work to reduce the cost of prescription medications by addressing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and bring more direct pricing drugstore options to patients in Tennessee, partnering with Mark Cuban and his ongoing efforts in this industry. Public Health: I will Invest in clear, nonpartisan public health communication that helps Tennesseans understand research and data using trusted local messengers, modern media, and plain language rather than fear.

Education

Focus on Teacher Feedback: As a former classroom teacher, I am committed to ensuring that those on the frontline of state education be at the center of conversations regarding education policy at the state level. School Safety: Modern weapon detection technology can be discreet while also powerful. I will explore tax incentives for the companies who partner with public schools to provide this technology, ensuring the safety of students without requiring them to walk through a metal detector to reach their classroom. Children and parents should not worry about safety in vibrant learning environments. (See Civility > 2nd Amendment). Public School Options: The No Child Left Behind era stripped public school classrooms of teachers’ creativity and forced cookie cutter schools across Tennessee. School districts across Tennessee deserve our focus on diversifying public school options that offer environments for a variety of learners, especially in rural counties where school options are limited. Teacher Pay and Classroom Burden: I am committed to multiplying Tennessee’s assets in order to better fund the salaries of teachers, while also relieving those teachers of unnecessary burdens placed on them from the remnants of No Child Left Behind policies. School Vouchers: I will investigate the legality of the current Education Freedom Scholarships, which have been a considerable concern to Tennessee taxpayers and to private education institutions disrupted by a voucher system. Benchmark Testing: I support limiting the amount of required benchmark testing currently overwhelming teachers with data they cannot effectively use in order to increase instructional time in the classroom. Phones in Schools: I support cell-phone free public school campuses across Tennessee, allowing educators to have classrooms with students more engaged in learning and more engaged with each other while freeing local school boards from having to make that decision. Technology in Schools: I support limiting the use of personal devices in public K-6 classrooms, focusing on exploratory learning that is more dynamic than a screen. Occupational Therapy: I will invest in occupational therapy training for physical education teachers, giving students access to brain-based exercises to improve their literacy skills. Early Childhood Education: I will support budget measures that expand the number of affordable early childhood education opportunities for families in Tennessee. School Choice Symposium: I will convene a conference of homeschool co-ops, microschools, and private schools to establish an acceptable set of education standards while ensuring the freedom of education options to all families in Tennessee. Education Hubs: I will explore ways to mobilize education resources available through Tennessee public schools to offer resources for families educating outside of the public school system and increase the funding to public school systems serving these families with extra-curricular activities, SPED services, and meeting spaces. Career Readiness: I will consider “adjunct” teachers for high school courses, bridging the gap between the community and the classroom and offering students a career pathway through meaningful, professional connections. This addresses the lack of teachers in Tennessee, offers part-time opportunities for local professionals to facilitate learning, and exposes students to potential employers in their desired field of study. Technical Careers: I will focus on resourcing public high schools with spaces to learn necessary trade skills and have a pathway to Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) enrollment scholarships. Higher Education: I will convene a conference of Tennessee universities, community colleges, and technical Schools to discuss the future of professional learning in our state and strategic innovations for higher education classrooms. K-12 Digital Literacy: I am in favor of including typing training, internet safety, and AI input curriculum at appropriate grade levels as advised by classroom teachers and education experts.

Infrastructure

Road Repairs: Tennessee leadership must address the backlog in road repairs that has been ignored by state leaders, and begin aggressively pursuing federal earmarks from Tennessee’s U.S. representatives needing to bring these funds down to districts across our state. TN Passenger Rail: I will eagerly partner with ongoing research from Hamilton County to explore a rail system connecting Memphis to Bristol, with another rail connecting Nashville to Chattanooga. Metroplex Road Systems: I would like to see TDOT identify where lanes can be expanded on interstates leading from metro areas to suburbs, with the direction of center lanes flexible during rush hour traffic. Electrical Lines: I will begin the process of burying more power lines across Tennessee, with direct consultation and consideration of Tennessee’s linemen, power company providers, and trade schools. Water Systems: Tennessee leadership must Improve communication loops between counties that share water systems, establish regular lines of communication between county commissions, regional water suppliers, and the state utility board. Expand Nuclear Energy: I support the expansion of Tennessee’s nuclear energy capacity, including small modular reactors, to ensure long-term energy reliability, protect the TVA, lower utility costs, and reduce dependence on unstable energy markets. Tennessee Valley Authority: We must protect TVA from being privatized in order to maintain affordable utility costs and healthy waterways for the Tennesseans and for our bordering states.

Agriculture

Expand Tax Exemptions: I am in favor of offering additional tax relief to local farm-to-table markets, and consider a special rating system that offers tax incentives to agricultural businesses who show they are following regulatory laws. TN Branded Animal Products: I will explore a campaign to produce and market beef, poultry, and pork products inside the borders of Tennessee that can be distributed safely outside of burdensome USDA and FDA regulations. Preserve Farmland by Stacking Energy: I am curious to explore the feasibility of burying data centers under vulnerable family farms, utilizing the heat emitted from the use of these data centers to then convert to distributed energy. This would allow Tennessee to preserve its beautiful landscape, generate additional revenue for the state, and offer additional revenue streams for farmers. Address Rising Suicide Rates among Farmers: I am deeply concerned about rising farmer suicides, and support expanding rural mental health access, strengthening peer-to-peer agricultural support networks, and reducing financial pressures that isolate family farmers. Summer EBT Funding: I will work to reinstate summer EBT funding as an agricultural investment that connects SNAP families with Tennessee farmers while helping parents learn how to prepare fresh, local food affordably during the summer months. I support incentivizing participation in nutrition classes with additional SNAP funds. Address Farmland Consolidation: I will explore creating a function within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to pair retiring farmers and ranchers with those who would like to get into farming but cannot afford land due to farm consolidation caused by corporations and mega-farms buying up farmland.

Economy

Income Tax: I am opposed to legislation that would create a state income tax. I support facilitating better relationships between under-resourced counties and Tennessee’s philanthropic investors. Grocery Tax: I will explore the viability of the state budget if groceries are no longer taxable items in the state (see SNAP Benefits for my immediate concern). SNAP Legislation: I do not see fiscal soundness in blocking SNAP benefit dollars for snacks and sodas in Tennessee, which greatly impacts grocers who will need to increase the cost of all groceries to cover this loss of income and thus pass down the cost of food for middle class families. Tax Breaks for Great Places to Work: I will coordinate with legislators to draft a tax bill incentivizing businesses to expand healing-centered workplaces for second chance programs, human trafficking survivors, and adults with intellectual disabilities. Hemp Products: I support legalizing the sale of hemp products across Tennessee in order to better regulate the safety of the products, ensure medicinal use is available, generate tax profits off of these products, and relieve law enforcement officers from a burdensome set of drug laws.

Housing and Growth

Property and Sales Taxes: I am open to tapering property taxes on primary residences once a homeowner is drawing social security benefits or once the residence is fully owned. Eliminating all property taxes in Tennessee would be devastating for local infrastructure, however. Eliminating property tax would require a sweeping increase of sales tax, which is already a burden on Tennessee families. Raising sales tax only further incentivizes citizens in 42 of Tennessee’s 95 counties to cross state lines in order to purchase cheaper goods. Supporting Local Government: I will prioritize my connection with local governments, encouraging county commissions with financial incentives to adopt best practices for housing reform as a condition of receiving state infrastructure grants. This balances Tennessee's need for more housing options with the unique situation of each local government and community. Transfer Tax: I support local governments receiving a share of the TN transfer tax (a state tax collected on all home/property sales) so that communities experiencing rapid growth will have additional funding for infrastructure improvements.

Healthcare

Rural Health: I will work to expose corporate health insurance lobbyists trying to consume independent health systems in Tennessee by tying federal rural health grants to the elimination of Certificates of Need, which currently protect rural hospitals and clinics from profit-driven healthcare systems. Preventative Healthcare: Tennessee must prioritize the expansion of primary care as a preventative healthcare measure for Tennesseans ages 20-40, utilizing telehealth, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, and EMTs. Health Insurance Fraud: The black market of personal health data may be the least discussed budget crisis in Tennessee. I will crack down on Medicare and Medicaid fraud primarily committed by opportunistic marketplace brokers selling your healthcare data on a black market. A strong consideration will be separating the Financial Services Investigation Unit from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, better resourcing insurance fraud investigations through the TN Bureau of Investigation or the Attorney General’s office. Women’s Health: In August 2022, Tennessee passed the Human Life Protection Act, which continues to face ongoing litigation for its vague exceptions to prenatal care. Two things can be true: Women should not be denied the life-saving care they need when facing complications during pregnancy and elective abortions should not be paid for by taxpayer dollars in Tennessee per federal law. I will continue to walk a nuanced path of holding both, the life of the mother and the life of the child, while advocating for solutions for both. Tennessee must address maternity care deserts as a public health priority, paying particular attention to dismantling racialized maternity mortality inequities in our state. Prescription Costs: I will work to reduce the cost of prescription medications by addressing Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and bring more direct pricing drugstore options to patients in Tennessee, partnering with Mark Cuban and his ongoing efforts in this industry. Public Health: I will Invest in clear, nonpartisan public health communication that helps Tennesseans understand research and data using trusted local messengers, modern media, and plain language rather than fear.

Education

Focus on Teacher Feedback: As a former classroom teacher, I am committed to ensuring that those on the frontline of state education be at the center of conversations regarding education policy at the state level. School Safety: Modern weapon detection technology can be discreet while also powerful. I will explore tax incentives for the companies who partner with public schools to provide this technology, ensuring the safety of students without requiring them to walk through a metal detector to reach their classroom. Children and parents should not worry about safety in vibrant learning environments. (See Civility > 2nd Amendment). Public School Options: The No Child Left Behind era stripped public school classrooms of teachers’ creativity and forced cookie cutter schools across Tennessee. School districts across Tennessee deserve our focus on diversifying public school options that offer environments for a variety of learners, especially in rural counties where school options are limited. Teacher Pay and Classroom Burden: I am committed to multiplying Tennessee’s assets in order to better fund the salaries of teachers, while also relieving those teachers of unnecessary burdens placed on them from the remnants of No Child Left Behind policies. School Vouchers: I will investigate the legality of the current Education Freedom Scholarships, which have been a considerable concern to Tennessee taxpayers and to private education institutions disrupted by a voucher system. Benchmark Testing: I support limiting the amount of required benchmark testing currently overwhelming teachers with data they cannot effectively use in order to increase instructional time in the classroom. Phones in Schools: I support cell-phone free public school campuses across Tennessee, allowing educators to have classrooms with students more engaged in learning and more engaged with each other while freeing local school boards from having to make that decision. Technology in Schools: I support limiting the use of personal devices in public K-6 classrooms, focusing on exploratory learning that is more dynamic than a screen. Occupational Therapy: I will invest in occupational therapy training for physical education teachers, giving students access to brain-based exercises to improve their literacy skills. Early Childhood Education: I will support budget measures that expand the number of affordable early childhood education opportunities for families in Tennessee. School Choice Symposium: I will convene a conference of homeschool co-ops, microschools, and private schools to establish an acceptable set of education standards while ensuring the freedom of education options to all families in Tennessee. Education Hubs: I will explore ways to mobilize education resources available through Tennessee public schools to offer resources for families educating outside of the public school system and increase the funding to public school systems serving these families with extra-curricular activities, SPED services, and meeting spaces. Career Readiness: I will consider “adjunct” teachers for high school courses, bridging the gap between the community and the classroom and offering students a career pathway through meaningful, professional connections. This addresses the lack of teachers in Tennessee, offers part-time opportunities for local professionals to facilitate learning, and exposes students to potential employers in their desired field of study. Technical Careers: I will focus on resourcing public high schools with spaces to learn necessary trade skills and have a pathway to Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) enrollment scholarships. Higher Education: I will convene a conference of Tennessee universities, community colleges, and technical Schools to discuss the future of professional learning in our state and strategic innovations for higher education classrooms. K-12 Digital Literacy: I am in favor of including typing training, internet safety, and AI input curriculum at appropriate grade levels as advised by classroom teachers and education experts.

Infrastructure

Road Repairs: Tennessee leadership must address the backlog in road repairs that has been ignored by state leaders, and begin aggressively pursuing federal earmarks from Tennessee’s U.S. representatives needing to bring these funds down to districts across our state. TN Passenger Rail: I will eagerly partner with ongoing research from Hamilton County to explore a rail system connecting Memphis to Bristol, with another rail connecting Nashville to Chattanooga. Metroplex Road Systems: I would like to see TDOT identify where lanes can be expanded on interstates leading from metro areas to suburbs, with the direction of center lanes flexible during rush hour traffic. Electrical Lines: I will begin the process of burying more power lines across Tennessee, with direct consultation and consideration of Tennessee’s linemen, power company providers, and trade schools. Water Systems: Tennessee leadership must Improve communication loops between counties that share water systems, establish regular lines of communication between county commissions, regional water suppliers, and the state utility board. Expand Nuclear Energy: I support the expansion of Tennessee’s nuclear energy capacity, including small modular reactors, to ensure long-term energy reliability, protect the TVA, lower utility costs, and reduce dependence on unstable energy markets. Tennessee Valley Authority: We must protect TVA from being privatized in order to maintain affordable utility costs and healthy waterways for the Tennesseans and for our bordering states.

Agriculture

Expand Tax Exemptions: I am in favor of offering additional tax relief to local farm-to-table markets, and consider a special rating system that offers tax incentives to agricultural businesses who show they are following regulatory laws. TN Branded Animal Products: I will explore a campaign to produce and market beef, poultry, and pork products inside the borders of Tennessee that can be distributed safely outside of burdensome USDA and FDA regulations. Preserve Farmland by Stacking Energy: I am curious to explore the feasibility of burying data centers under vulnerable family farms, utilizing the heat emitted from the use of these data centers to then convert to distributed energy. This would allow Tennessee to preserve its beautiful landscape, generate additional revenue for the state, and offer additional revenue streams for farmers. Address Rising Suicide Rates among Farmers: I am deeply concerned about rising farmer suicides, and support expanding rural mental health access, strengthening peer-to-peer agricultural support networks, and reducing financial pressures that isolate family farmers. Summer EBT Funding: I will work to reinstate summer EBT funding as an agricultural investment that connects SNAP families with Tennessee farmers while helping parents learn how to prepare fresh, local food affordably during the summer months. I support incentivizing participation in nutrition classes with additional SNAP funds. Address Farmland Consolidation: I will explore creating a function within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to pair retiring farmers and ranchers with those who would like to get into farming but cannot afford land due to farm consolidation caused by corporations and mega-farms buying up farmland.

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

Volunteer
Donate
Stay Connected

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

Volunteer
Donate
Stay Connected

Accountability

Government that answers to voters means power is transparent, representative, and answerable.

Government that answers to voters means power is transparent, representative, and answerable.

Legislative Accountability Tool

Most Tennesseans are frustrated with a lack of accountability to voters, and I am committed to restoring the public trust in the public square. I will deploy the Governor’s Office to publish a “Citizens Report” which will be delivered to all 33 Senators and 99 Representatives summarizing verified voter input submitted directly to my office on active policy issues. With this data being publicly available, citizens and lawmakers alike will be able to see where voters stand on different issues, and will allow engaged citizens to see the impact of their advocacy, knowing that their lawmakers have received the report as well. The purpose of this report is to: 1. Increase the transparency of voters’ voices. 2. Help me, as an Independent Governor, decide on which bills to sign into law and which to veto, informed by the will of the people. 3. Allow Republican and Democratic voters to hold their respective party leaders accountable to Tennessee values above federal party priorities.

Local Governance

Educating Local Elected Officials: I will immediately increase communication feedback loops between local government and state government will help expedite the learning process for new commissioners, giving them better access to the TN Board of Utility Regulation, TN Department of Education, TN Department of Environment and Conservation, and other critical governance pillars that impact every local community across the state. Nonpartisan Elections: I will work to restore nonpartisan county elections to keep local governance focused on problem-solving over party loyalty, and to protect schools and communities from national political polarization.

Voting Rights

Voter Records: Tennessee’s government should have refused to turn over the state’s voter records to the Department of Justice in 2026. This violated the privacy of voters in Tennessee and undermined the integrity of local elections in a state consistently ranked #1 for election transparency. Absentee Ballots: I will address legislation that bans new voters, including university students and military members, from using absentee ballots, as well as legislation that blocks absentee ballots from being returned to a voter’s election commission in person. Open Primaries: In a state so heavily controlled by one party, all voters should be allowed to vote for the person they most want to govern them in order to protect democratic representation. Closing primaries in Tennessee would be extremely unethical unless other democratic protections were first put in place. Gerrymandering: I will work to establish an independent committee to draw district maps that encourage voter turnout and better democratic competition. Statewide Voter Guides: I will direct the Secretary of State to produce voting guides complete with profiles submitted by candidates to accompany sample ballots that allow voters to better prepare their choices at the polls.

Information Transparency

Media Relations: I am committed to regular press briefings with members of legacy media as well as new media creators, regardless of political ideology, in order to keep information systems clean and consistent between Tennessee’s government and her people. Chief Information Officers: In a digital society, it is critical to establish pathways for municipal and county governments to employ a CIO to create content and share information from government meetings in a manner accessible to the public, increasing engagement between citizens and their local officials.

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

Volunteer
Donate
Stay Connected

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

Volunteer
Donate
Stay Connected

Legislative Accountability Tool

Most Tennesseans are frustrated with a lack of accountability to voters, and I am committed to restoring the public trust in the public square. I will deploy the Governor’s Office to publish a “Citizens Report” which will be delivered to all 33 Senators and 99 Representatives summarizing verified voter input submitted directly to my office on active policy issues. With this data being publicly available, citizens and lawmakers alike will be able to see where voters stand on different issues, and will allow engaged citizens to see the impact of their advocacy, knowing that their lawmakers have received the report as well. The purpose of this report is to: 1. Increase the transparency of voters’ voices. 2. Help me, as an Independent Governor, decide on which bills to sign into law and which to veto, informed by the will of the people. 3. Allow Republican and Democratic voters to hold their respective party leaders accountable to Tennessee values above federal party priorities.

Local Governance

Educating Local Elected Officials: I will immediately increase communication feedback loops between local government and state government will help expedite the learning process for new commissioners, giving them better access to the TN Board of Utility Regulation, TN Department of Education, TN Department of Environment and Conservation, and other critical governance pillars that impact every local community across the state. Nonpartisan Elections: I will work to restore nonpartisan county elections to keep local governance focused on problem-solving over party loyalty, and to protect schools and communities from national political polarization.

Voting Rights

Voter Records: Tennessee’s government should have refused to turn over the state’s voter records to the Department of Justice in 2026. This violated the privacy of voters in Tennessee and undermined the integrity of local elections in a state consistently ranked #1 for election transparency. Absentee Ballots: I will address legislation that bans new voters, including university students and military members, from using absentee ballots, as well as legislation that blocks absentee ballots from being returned to a voter’s election commission in person. Open Primaries: In a state so heavily controlled by one party, all voters should be allowed to vote for the person they most want to govern them in order to protect democratic representation. Closing primaries in Tennessee would be extremely unethical unless other democratic protections were first put in place. Gerrymandering: I will work to establish an independent committee to draw district maps that encourage voter turnout and better democratic competition. Statewide Voter Guides: I will direct the Secretary of State to produce voting guides complete with profiles submitted by candidates to accompany sample ballots that allow voters to better prepare their choices at the polls.

Information Transparency

Media Relations: I am committed to regular press briefings with members of legacy media as well as new media creators, regardless of political ideology, in order to keep information systems clean and consistent between Tennessee’s government and her people. Chief Information Officers: In a digital society, it is critical to establish pathways for municipal and county governments to employ a CIO to create content and share information from government meetings in a manner accessible to the public, increasing engagement between citizens and their local officials.

Civility

Firm leadership can exist without cruelty or chaos, and policies should strike a civil balance.

Firm leadership can exist without cruelty or chaos, and policies should strike a civil balance.

Defending State Rights

Keep Tennessee Courts Independent: There has been a coordinated push to eliminate the neutrality of our court system, and I fully reject any action that compromises our constitutional balance of powers. Defend against Federal Overreach: Tennessee needs a governor who will defend the borders of our state rather than cowering to unchecked federal leadership. I will use every legal and bureaucratic power available to me to protect my state, and I will make sure we do not lose our integrity in the process. Cooperating with ICE: There is no question that international gangs have a presence in Tennessee, and as someone who has worked in the counter-trafficking space for 15 years, I am committed to protecting victims of international crime. That said, current Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are sorely trained compared to agents in the recent past, and we are witnessing daily assaults on constitutional rights that are blatantly against the law. Here’s what you need to know: I will not coordinate with federal agencies who break the law to enforce the law. I will not accept any threat to a vibrant life for our immigrant communities who contribute so generously across Tennessee. As I make decisions to defend our state, I acknowledge that: 1. Legal immigrants have been some of the fiercest defenders of immigration enforcement, and I value their authentic voices over identity politics. 2. The way ICE has functioned in Memphis is very different from the way ICE has functioned in Chicago and in Minneapolis, and I am actively investigating the situation to better understand why this is. 3. As our agencies are functioning now (as of 2/1/26), TWRA agents are being sent into Memphis to help with policing. National Guard members are being held in Memphis rather than being sent to Nashville to assist with the storm cleanup. All of this seems to be a massive leadership failure that lacks moral and cognitive justification. 4. I am strongly opposed to legislation that would require all local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee to register with ICE’s 287(g) program (see Law Enforcement).

Law Enforcement

Local Law Enforcement, Firefighters, and First Responders: We must protect those on the front lines of emergencies through a leadership focused on vibrant communities, practical peacebuilding. and narrowed targets as the chief law enforcement officer of the state. Local and State Law Enforcement: I support expanding emotional health services available to officers in the line of duty, as well as trauma-informed training across all levels of law enforcement.

Criminal Justice Reform

Coordination with Private Prisons: I will Initiate a full assessment of the Tennessee prison system, both public and private partnerships, to identify a path to lower the current incarcerated population in Tennessee by 15% in my first term as governor. By investing in behavior health services and education resources for those incarcerated due to substance addictions, we reduce recidivism rates, keep families together, and save taxpayer dollars Second Chance Programs: I will focus on rehabilitative programs in Tennessee prisons to increase GED graduations, cognitive behavioral therapy skills, and employment pathways back to civilian life. This necessitates a full examination of criminal charges that can have a lifelong impact on someone’s ability to be hired for a decent wage, even after someone has served a prison sentence. Pathway to Voting Rights: I support legislation that creates a practical pathway for justice-involved youth and adults to have their voting rights restored.

Leadership and Rhetoric

Addressing Disinformation: Explore pathways back to the “Fairness Doctrine,” striking a constitutional balance between the freedom of speech and protecting the public from disinformation intentionally distributed by legacy media or new media creators. I will always protect the freedom of the press and the freedom of speech, and also recognize how purposefully misleading public thought breaks down societal and familial foundations of trust. Working with the Legislature: I will uphold the highest standards of accountability to my constituents and to my colleagues in the House and Senate. I will lead by example ensuring open and available communication via strong record keeping of voter feedback. (Accountability > See Legislative Accountability Tool).

Reforming Welfare

Income Incentives: Tennessee residents who receive public assistance often face the impossible choice of taking a raise or losing their benefits. Our public assistance programs should never discourage hard work, so I will work with the Department of Humans Services to restructure our programs to eliminate these "benefit cliffs.” Care Portal Model: Identify up to 3 communities in Tennessee to pilot a program that connects community volunteers with individual needs (ex: connecting a dialysis patient with a volunteer driver). The government can save taxpayer dollars when we better facilitate the use of people resources available in trusted, faith, business, and nonprofit networks. Safe Shelter for the Unhoused: Identify up to 3 communities where local partnerships are ready to develop “palliative housing” for individuals experiencing momentary or chronic homelessness, modeled after the Community First! tiny home community in Austin, Texas.

Addressing Mental and Behavioral Health

Noninvasive Therapies: I want to see expanded affordable access to therapies like neurofeedback, brainspotting, and occupational therapy to treat addictions, complex traumas, and other neurological challenges. Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health: I will reassess current partnerships between contracted organizations and the Department of Children' s Services, recommending DCS employees work on call shifts to cover emergency needs rather than being overworked in salaried positions as they are now. Per research evidence from Dr. Jonathan Haidt, advocate for legislation to support his four norms to roll back phone-based childhood: 1. No smartphones before high school. 2. No social media before 16. Phone-free schools, from bell to bell. 3. More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world. Public Health Investments: So much of community development begins with signage and messaging. I will do all I can to utilize public healthcare funds for billboards and signage around mutual belonging, crisis resources, and reciprocal citizenship. Supporting Families Needing Complex Services: I will prioritize the expansion of therapeutic environments for children and adults who are medically fragile or behaviorally complex, from the classroom to housing, employment, and beyond. Generational Trauma: Identify communities with high rates of opioid-related deaths and limited economic investment in order to limit the cycles of poverty and trauma for future generations through facilitated relationships with Tennessee philanthropists in order to build green spaces, educational programs, and other livelihood infrastructures. Tax Breaks for Great Places to Work: Coordinate with legislators to draft a tax bill incentivizing businesses to expand healing-centered workplaces for second chance programs, human trafficking survivors, and adults with intellectual disabilities.

2nd Amendment

Protecting Constitutional Freedoms: Muskets were the most dangerous personal firearm at the time the 2nd Amendment was written, and our unwillingness to hold the 2nd Amendment accountable is now encroaching on our rights preserved in the 1st Amendment. Tennesseans should not be afraid to practice their freedom of speech, freedom of religion, or freedom of assembly for fear of gun violence. Protecting Sportsmanship and Self-Protection: It is nonnegotiable for me that sportsmanship and self-defense remain constitutionally protected in Tennessee. Temporary Transfer Laws: I support laws which create a legal pathway to transfer gun possession away from someone who presents an imminent risk to themselves or others. There are 21 states that have enacted similar laws showing an effective prevention of firearm suicides (Connecticut alone saw a 14% decrease in firearm suicides after passing this legislation). Universal Background Checks: The Tennessee legislature must close the loophole that currently requires a background check when purchasing a weapon from a licensed gun store, but not from a private seller or at a gun show. Background checks mostly take less than 15 minutes, and 99.6% of Tennesseans live within 10 miles of a licensed firearm dealer. Secure Storage Laws: Adults have a responsibility to keep children safe. We must pass legislation that requires the secure storage of firearms in vehicles to more effectively deter theft and protect the lives of children. Tennessee leads the nation in the number of firearms stolen from vehicles, and firearm injury has been the leading cause of death for Tennessee children since 2017.

Rights to Health and Wellness

Vaccines: Tennessee must invest in better public health information that considers parents’ concerns about vaccines while educating the public about the rise of preventative disease. LGBTQ+ Rights: I will protect the constitutional right to marry the adult partner you choose in Tennessee, while preserving the right for a religious clergyperson, imam, minister, priest, or other individual to choose not to perform a wedding that does not align with his or her religious convictions. Discrimination: LGBTQ+ Tennesseans should remain protected under sex-based discrimination employment law. Faith-based, 501c3 tax exempt organizations, retain the right to establish legal bylaws regarding employment policies related to sexual orientation. Contraceptive Freedom: Women should retain the right to demand contraceptives in sexual encounters. Hyde Amendment: I affirm that public tax dollars should not be used for elective abortions, except to save the life of a woman (see Healthcare). Tennessee’s Abortion Law: Protect women and healthcare providers from vague legislation that currently dissuades doctors from treating high-risk pregnancies and leaves victims of sexual assault without a legal pathway to physical healing (see Healthcare). Sex Changes for Minors: I affirm the Supreme Court decision that allowed Tennessee to ban transgender surgeries for youth under the age of 18, but I remain concerned that legislation should ensure any child in Tennessee born with ambiguous genitalia has a legal path to healthcare and a vibrant life.

Artificial Intelligence

Distributing AI-Generated Impersonations: I affirm the recently passed Take it Down Act which criminalizes the distribution of explicit content using someone’s name, image, or likeness without his or her permission. In order to protect our children and our workforce, I also support defamation legislation that extends to all deepfakes, banning the distribution of content which uses someone’s name, image, or likeness to misrepresent that person and his or her actions. Protecting Artists: I will convene groups of musicians and creatives in Tennessee to inform Tennessee lawmakers of practical legislation proposals needed to address artificial intelligence and licensing shortfalls that negatively impacts the income of artists in our state.

This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

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This campaign was made for you. Choose your role—as a volunteer, donor, storyteller, or informed supporter—to help shape the direction of Tennessee.

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Stay Connected

My Promise

Most Tennesseans no longer feel that one party completely holds all of their values. They are looking for balance, and the freedom to hold beliefs on both sides of party lines. 
I am committed to independent leadership that listens, and then uses the voice of the people to power the state of Tennessee.
Pinkston For Governor
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