Core Issues

Jenny standing in waders in Abrams Creek for an Experience Your Smokies session to learn about native fish species in the Smokies. — Jenny learned about native fish species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of the Experience Your Smokies program.

Jenny smiling with graduate students in the mathematics department at UTK. — Jenny learned about native fish species in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as part of the Experience Your Smokies program.

Affordable Living Expenses

One of our primary issues right now are the high costs of healthcare, housing, groceries, and utilities. I support Medicaid expansion and school nutrition programs, building affordable housing for our increasing population, reducing or eliminating the regressive taxes on groceries, and exploring ways to reduce the cost of basic utilities like electricity and natural gas.

Public Education

I support funding our public education institutions, including public primary and secondary schools, trade schools, community colleges, and public colleges and universities. First rate education for all residents improves all of our lives and provides promise for the future generations. I am against school vouchers for private education and school sponsored religious education, preferring to keep this money invested in public schools. I value our universities’ commitment to not only educate the next generation of citizens, but also its valuable research which leads to improvements in healthcare, energy, the local economy, and climate stability.

Infrastructure Support and Land Conservation for our Community

The rural heritage of rural Knox County is a treasure that should be preserved. We need to support local farmers and small businesses, and support pathways for their future success and land conservation. When the need arises to develop existing farmland for residential use, careful planning for infrastructure must ensure that the development meets the needs of the surrounding community by improving state funded roads, support for utilities, and supporting local schools. Our public lands, parks and greenways should be preserved for future generations.

Tell me what’s important to you.