Candidate Directory

To view the Candidate Directory for the Tennessee District 32 Special Election, click here.

Tim Rudd

WINNER

House District34

Candidate Headshot
Incumbent or New

Incumbent

Party Affiliation

Republican

City

Murfreesboro

Candidate Email Address

ruddt@realtracs.com

Campaign Website URL

TimRudd34.com

Campaign Facebook Page

facebook.com


SURVEY QUESTIONS


QUESTION 1:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit abortion except when necessary to prevent the death of the mother?

Support

QUESTION 2:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make either sexual orientation or gender identity/expression a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?

Oppose

QUESTION 3:
Would you support or oppose a bill to amend Tennessee’s marriage statute to expressly authorize the issuance of marriage licenses to two people of the same sex?

Oppose

QUESTION 4:
Would you support or oppose legislation that would establish a $15 per hour minimum wage in Tennessee?

Oppose

QUESTION 5:
Would you support or oppose legislation to allow the state to defend public K-12 schools that are sued because they designate the use of locker rooms and bathrooms on the basis of biological sex instead of the gender by which a student identifies?

Support

QUESTION 6:
Do you support or oppose the proposition, advanced by a certain business coalition, that the bill described in question 5 is “discriminatory” and “would harm our economy and damage our state’s reputation”?

Oppose

QUESTION 7:
Currently, a majority of the Justices on the Tennessee Supreme Court select the state’s Attorney General and Reporter. Would you support or oppose an amendment to the state Constitution that allows the Legislature to elect the Attorney General and Reporter in the same manner that it elects the Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer?

Support

QUESTION 8:
Would you support or oppose an amendment to the state Constitution that allows the Governor to appoint the state’s Attorney General and Reporter subject to confirmation by the Legislature, as now happens with the appointment of the state’s Supreme Court Justices?

Undecided

QUESTION 9:
Would you support or oppose legislation, like Insure Tennessee proposed by Governor Haslam in 2015, that would expand Medicaid coverage in Tennessee beyond the Medicaid-eligible population?

Oppose

QUESTION 10:
Do you support or oppose the decision by the state’s Department of Health to disregard the state’s current adoption laws and allow a child’s original birth certificate to show that the child has two mothers simply because one of the women is married to the child’s biological mother?

Oppose

QUESTION 11:
Would you support or oppose a bill that would prohibit the state or local governmental entities from either giving preference to or discriminating against a business entity in awarding of grants or contracts based on whether the business has made sexual orientation or gender identity a protected status under its personnel policies, assuming that either of such statuses is not otherwise required by federal law?

Support

QUESTION 12:
Would you support or oppose legislation to award all of Tennessee’s Electors in a presidential election to the Party of the candidate who wins the national popular vote?

Oppose

QUESTION 13:
Do you support or oppose legalizing horse racing tracks in Tennessee at which bets can be placed on races?

Oppose

QUESTION 14:
There is a school of thought that the Constitution is a “living” document, meaning its various provisions are evolving and should be interpreted in the context of contemporary societal mores. Would you support or oppose a nominee to the Tennessee Supreme Court if there is credible evidence that the nominee believes the state or federal Constitution should be viewed or interpreted as a “living” document?

Oppose

QUESTION 15:
Would you support or oppose legislation to ensure that an adoption agency with a sincerely held belief that marriage is only one man and one woman would not lose its state license to make adoption placements if it only placed children in homes into which the marriage was of one man and one woman?

Support


ESSAY QUESTIONS


ESSAY QUESTION 1:
Explain your view of state government’s role in relation to economic growth and/or job creation.

Government does nor create private sector jobs, but rather helps create the proper conditions to encourage the private sector to grow, invest and expand. This can be done through fewer regulations, keeping taxes low, keeping state debt low well managed. Tennessee has improved both K-12 and Higher education. Tennessee has become a leader in providing post high school vocational training and higher education technologies such as megatronics. Better preparing our work force will encourage companies to locate better paying jobs to Tennessee.

ESSAY QUESTION 2:
What are your thoughts about a parent of a child in a low performing public school being provided a voucher equal to the amount of the state’s per-student expenditure that would be applied toward the child’s private school tuition?

I'm a longer time supporter of Charter schools. We must not undermine our public school system, however we have a resistance to reform from local and state administrations and staff. We must improve our children's education and preparation for the demands of an ever changing economy. I'm willing to look at vouchers and a great choice for parents. We must be open to new ideas.

ESSAY QUESTION 3:
What is one of the most satisfying things you have ever done or accomplished and what made it so satisfying to you?

I have been a grassroots activist working mostly behind the scenes for thirty years on hundreds of campaigns. I've helped to elect conservative candidates and supported good legislation that has helped change Tennessee for the better. It was not until 2016 I ran for public office and my dedication to the conservative cause continues in my new role as state representative. .

ESSAY QUESTION 4:
What personal qualities or experiences do you think will best serve you in your role as a state legislator?

I have always been honest and hard working. My experience as a Party leader, political consultant and community leader has prepared me better than some to be an effective legislator. While people may not agree with me, I try to be honest as to my position on an issue.

ESSAY QUESTION 5:
What bill that passed in the last General Assembly would you have voted against and why, or what bill that was not passed in the last General Assembly do you wish had passed and why?

I sponsored gift card reform that would have prevented a monthly inactivity fee. I had over half the legislature as co-sponsors, but could not get it out of sub-committee. These inactivity fees and money left on cards generate billions of dollars a year for the credit card industry. This is nothing but theft and powerful special interests defeated the legislation. I hope good legislation like this passes in the future. Regardless of the subject matter, good legislation is worth fighting for.