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: Gloria JohnsonWhich office are you seeking? U.S. Senate. One of four Democrats in the primary election.Age at the time of election: 62What city/town in Tennessee do you live in? KnoxvilleEducation: University of Tennessee, B.A in EducationJob history: Special education teacher (1987-2015); State Representative (2013-2015; 2019-Present).Family: N/A11 questions for the candidates
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running because it’s time to shift power back to where it belongs: with working families who want common sense solutions to the issues they face every day. I’m running to be a voice for Tennesseans who’ve felt left out and ignored by their elected representatives. I’m running to pass common sense gun legislation, restore a woman’s right to her own bodily autonomy, expand health care access, and ensure a fair living wage for working men and women.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)?
I’ve always been a strong advocate for everyday working people, because that’s what I’ve been all my life, and I’m not afraid to stand up to bullies and special interests in order to do what’s right for Tennessee families. That’s something I have prided myself on as a State Representative, and will pride myself on in the U.S. Senate. I am one of a handful of Tennessee candidates who has been able to flip a red seat to blue multiple times. I also know that organizing, and bringing in folks from all walks of life is critically important in order to get things done, which is why I’ve focused my energy on building a multi-racial, multi-generational, multi-partisan movement for change. I believe it’s that ability to bring people together that makes me most qualified to be Tennessee’s next U.S. Senator.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Making Health Care more affordable and accessible — especially in our rural communities who are seeing their hospitals being shutteredRestoring women’s reproductive rights, and protecting access to contraception and IVF treatmentsMaking our communities safer with common sense gun legislation that ensures that dangerous individuals who should not have access to a firearm are not able to obtain one.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
The two biggest issues I hear from voters across the state – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – are common sense gun legislation, and reproductive rights. People are tired of fearing for their loved ones becoming a victim of gun violence, and they’re fed up with their rights being taken away or threatened. Women are not equal in Tennessee and unsurprisingly, they aren’t happy about it.
Are you satisfied with the direction of the country? Explain why.
I believe that we are far better off now than we were four years ago, but we have so much further to go to help strengthen our middle and working class, restore reproductive rights, make our communities safer, lower housing costs, and ensure that future generations have an opportunity to succeed and thrive.
What is your assessment of the performance of the President Joe Biden over the last four years?
We disagree on some issues, but I think that President Biden has brought honor and dignity to the Oval Office, and believe he has done a great job with guiding us through the pandemic, pushing through the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, lowering unemployment, and growing the economy.
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?
I believe that our foremost responsibility is to be a voice for peace, while honoring our commitment to preserving democracy and avoiding sending American troops to fight overseas. With China, we need to focus on strengthening trade partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s influence, and increase competition through technological innovations.
I am proud to stand in support of Ukraine against Russian aggression, and have supported military and humanitarian aid, as well as continued economic sanctions against Russia.
In regards to the Israel-Palestinian conflict, I condemned the barbaric attack on Israel by Hamas. I support an immediate ceasefire in the region, along with providing crucial humanitarian aid to Gaza. The longer innocents are being killed, the further we get from a solution. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu is reckless and is endangering Jews in Israel and around the world.
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?
We need leaders who are willing to come together and pass the Bipartisan Border Security Agreement – which would increase security at our border, and add new technology to track and stop fentanyl from entering the U.S. – and we need to approach immigration reform in a compassionate, humanitarian way instead of fear mongering. We need to break that partisan gridlock that has stalled meaningful reform over the last 20 years.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
I want people all across Tennessee to know that I’m going to fight for them every day. We may not always agree on every single issue, but I’m always going to listen, I’m always going to be accessible, and you’ll always know where I stand. I’m always going to do what I believe is right for working families, and our state.
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?
East Tennessee has so much to offer, so definitely the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (see the fireflies if you can!), Ijams Nature Center and the Urban Wilderness, and of course Dollywood!
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-gloria-johnson-candidate-senate/74269590007/
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Publish date : 2024-07-01 19:02:59
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