Elections 2024: Tennessee should strive to improve poor voter turnout
The Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas encourages voters to cast their ballots in the Aug. 1, 2024 primary election in Tennessee.
Editor’s note: The Tennessean Editorial Board invited candidates for the 2024 congressional elections to fill out our questionnaire. They include biographical information and answers to 11 questions on variety of topics from key policy issues to their recommendation for visitors on what to see or do in their congressional districts.
Election Guide: Learn about candidates running in Aug. 1 Tennessee primary election for U.S. Congress
Key dates:
July 2: Voter registration deadlineJuly 12-27: Early votingJuly 25: Deadline to request absentee ballotAug. 1: Primary electionNov. 5: General electionBiographical InformationName: Megan BarryWhich office are you seeking? U.S. House District 7. Running unopposed in the Democratic primary election.Age at the time of election: 60What city/town in Tennessee do you live in? NashvilleEducation: I have an undergraduate B.S. degree in elementary education from Baker University and an M.B.A. from Vanderbilt University.Job history: I was the mayor of the Metropolitan government of Nashville and Davidson county. Prior to that, I served on the Metro Council as an At-Large member. Over the years, I have served as an adjunct professor at both Fisk University and Belmont University. I spent my professional working life in ethics and compliance in the telecommunications and healthcare industry. Since leaving the mayor’s office, I have worked to combat the shame and guilt that comes from substance use disorder. I have devoted my time to speaking up and speaking out – sharing our story, so that those who struggle and their loved ones know they are not alone.Family: I am the daughter of a proud Marine and a stay-at-home mom. I grew up with my three sisters in Kansas. I am married to Bruce Barry, a professor at Vanderbilt. We currently share our home with two rescue pups, Winslow, AZ and Natasha. We’ll be married 31 years in October. Our only child, Max, passed away from an overdose in 2017.11 questions for the candidates
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for Congress because I believe Middle Tennesseans deserve a representative who is focused on real solutions, not partisan politics. I will work tirelessly to address issues that matter to Tennesseans – comprehensive reproductive freedom, gun-related deaths, economic opportunities, protecting Social Security and ensuring our veterans are well cared for. My experience as Nashville’s mayor taught me the importance of effective leadership and collaboration. I want to bring that spirit of cooperation to Congress, ensuring that every Tennessean has a voice in Washington and that we prioritize the needs of our families and communities over playing political games.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
I have extensive experience in both legislative and executive roles. As a former mayor of Nashville, I led the city through significant growth and development, focusing on issues such as affordable housing, public transportation, and economic growth. My eight years as an At-Large Metro Council Member taught me the importance of collaboration and effective governance. In contrast, my opponent (incumbent Congressman Mark Green) has consistently voted against critical measures that would benefit our community, and refuses to participate in the processes that would bring much-needed funding for projects in our district. My proven track record of working across the aisle to get things done, combined with my deep commitment to representing the interests of Middle Tennesseans, makes me the better choice for this office. I am also more qualified because, unlike my opponent, I actually want the job. Earlier this year Representative Green dropped out of the race saying he was no longer interested in fighting for the interests of the district in Washington, and when he got back in he said publicly that he is doing so only because Donald Trump “twisted [his] arm.” Voters in TN-7 deserve a representative who wants to represent them.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
When elected, my top priorities will be expanding economic opportunities, protecting reproductive freedom, and addressing gun violence. To promote economic opportunities, I will work to ensure that working families in our district have access to good-paying jobs, affordable healthcare, and the right to organize and unionize. I’ll also work to make sure our seniors, veterans, and first responders retain access to the benefits they’ve worked so hard to earn. Protecting reproductive freedom is essential, and I will fight against any attempts to restrict access to healthcare services for women. Additionally, I will advocate for thoughtful firearms laws to keep our communities safe and reduce the epidemic of gun violence. These priorities reflect the values and needs of
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Voters are telling me that they want Congress to make real progress on critical issues like access to healthcare, especially in rural communities that lack hospitals and medical services. Our state leads the nation in medical bankruptcies, and we have the highest number of hospital closures per capita in the country. Voters that I talk to are frustrated that Tennessee still hasn’t expanded Medicaid, leaving billions of dollars on the table that could improve healthcare access. My opponent refused to vote for that when he was in the State Senate. Another pressing concern I hear from voters is rising inflation and the cost of living. Families are struggling with everyday expenses, and they want practical solutions to make life more affordable. I am committed to fighting inflation and working on policies that reduce the financial burden on households. Voters are also fed up with the gridlock and ineffectiveness in Congress. They want representatives who are willing to work across the aisle to get things done and who will prioritize the needs of their communities over partisan extremism. There is a strong desire for practical solutions that improve the everyday lives of Tennesseans, and I am committed to showing up, listening, and delivering results for my district.
Are you satisfied with the direction of the country? Explain why.
While I am encouraged by some of the progress we have made, such as the significant investments in infrastructure and clean energy, I am deeply concerned about the overall direction of the country due to the dysfunction in Congress. The extreme partisanship and ineffective leadership there have resulted in a historically unproductive legislative session. This gridlock prevents us from addressing critical issues like affordability, healthcare access, economic opportunity, immigration, and gun violence. Middle Tennesseans deserve better, and we need representatives who are committed to working together to solve these problems.
What is your assessment of the performance of the President Joe Biden over the last four years?
President Biden has made notable strides in several areas over the past four years. His administration successfully passed the American Rescue Plan, which provided much-needed relief to families and businesses during the pandemic. Additionally, his focus on infrastructure is leading to significant investments in roads, bridges, and clean energy, creating jobs and boosting the economy. Especially noteworthy is the progress Biden has made on the cost of prescription drugs, helping consumers save on some of the most expensive and widely used medicines, and (finally) giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices. While I am pleased with these accomplishments, I recognize that in Congress I will not vote in lockstep with a Democratic administration 100% of the time. My commitment to bipartisanship means refracting issues and votes through the lens of what is best for working families and for the country. I will always prioritize the needs and values of my district when making decisions in Congress.
How should the U.S. approach foreign policy goals as it pertains to regions, nations and conflicts such as China, Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war?
The U.S. should support democratic values, human rights, and self-determination in its foreign policy, and we should honor our commitments to allies who share these principles. Overall, our approach should involve active diplomacy, strengthening alliances, and confronting threats to democracy and human rights.
Regarding China, we need to address trade imbalances and human rights violations while cooperating on global issues like climate change.For Ukraine, it’s essential to continue providing military aid and humanitarian assistance to help defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression. The United States has always been a beacon of democracy for the world, and we should continue as such.Regarding Israel-Hamas, what happened on Oct 7 was a horrific attack by Hamas. The U.S. must advocate for a mutual ceasefire that provides for the immediate return of all hostages and an end to the civilian suffering in Gaza by enabling a massive surge in humanitarian aid. The continuing loss of life needs to end now and we need to move to a two-state solution for lasting peace. Additionally, I don’t believe in blank checks – I believe in providing support with accountability, ensuring transparency in U.S. aid.
Americans in recent polling say immigration is one of the top issues, if not the most important issue, facing the U.S. What should Congress do to address the immigration and border security?
Congress has repeatedly been called on to act to secure our border and address our broken immigration system and each time, has failed. The last comprehensive immigration legislation was passed under President Reagan – almost four decades ago. This past year, a bipartisan team of senators negotiated and produced a bill that both parties could accept and this failed to pass Congress because members, including my opponent, chose to put partisan politics ahead of our national security. We all deserve practical, bipartisan solutions to address immigration and border security and the buck stops with Congress. Congress must pass funding for comprehensive border security measures that balance enforcement with humane treatment of migrants. It’s critical to provide adequate resources for processing asylum claims quickly and reducing backlogs to ensure timely and fair adjudications. We have to work across the aisle to pass meaningful reforms that improve our immigration system, enhance border security, and create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who contribute to our economy and communities. Middle Tennesseans and all Americans deserve a Congress that prioritizes real solutions over political gamesmanship.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
It’s important to note that with Nashville divided into three Republican-leaning districts by Tennessee Republicans, none of our current representatives live in Davidson County. This leaves our city – one of the 25 largest in the nation – without effective representation in Congress. I am dedicated to restoring that representation for Nashville while also serving as just as strong an advocate for the other 13 counties in our district. Every community in TN-7 deserves a representative who will show up, prioritizes genuine service, and have a positive impact on the lives of constituents. I am focused on delivering real progress for Middle Tennesseans, and I am ready to be the advocate the voters deserve.
A “fun” question: When visitors ask you, “What should I do in Tennessee or your specific community?” what are the top 2 or 3 things or places you recommend?
Nothing says Tennessee more than listening to and catching some live music. I always suggest the Ryman Auditorium to folks who are coming to Nashville, and I also encourage visitors to check out the National Museum of African American Music, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Jefferson Street Sound Museum to experience all of the music history that Nashville has on offer. Beyond Nashville, I steer people to Franklin to check out its charming Main Street and I also encourage visitors to take in the natural beauty of TN by taking a ride down the Natchez Trace Parkway or visiting one of our more than 50 gorgeous state parks.
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Yes
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or find him on X at @davidplazas.
Source link : https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/editorials/2024/07/01/tennessee-election-congress-megan-barry-house-district-7/74271783007/
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Publish date : 2024-07-01 19:12:29
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