Candidate Directory
Courtney Rogers
House District45
Incumbent
Republican
Hendersonville
Candidate is running unopposed in the General Election.
SURVEY QUESTIONS
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit abortion except when necessary to prevent the death of the mother?
Support
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make sexual orientation a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation that would make gender identity/expression a new protected class under Tennessee’s civil rights laws?
Oppose
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
Would you support or oppose legislation that would establish a $15 per hour minimum wage in Tennessee?
Oppose
Do you support or oppose the proposition that a person should be allowed by law to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to the gender they identify with?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose a law creating the office of Solicitor General, a lawyer to serve as the state’s advocate in the court systems, to be appointed by the General Assembly?
Support
Do you support or oppose the U.S. Department of Justice redefining the word “sex” to also include gender identity for purposes of Title VII and Title IX?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation, like Insure Tennessee, that would expand Medicaid coverage in TN beyond the Medicaid eligible population?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose legislation that would prohibit state courts or any local government from ordering a privately owned business to participate in activities associated with solemnization or celebration of a marriage through the provision of goods or services if participating would violate their beliefs regarding the nature of marriage?
Support
Do you support or oppose the legalization of marijuana for recreational use?
Oppose
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
Do you support or oppose the legalization of horse racing tracks in Tennessee at which bets can be placed on races?
Oppose
Would you support or oppose a nominee to the TN 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
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Explain your view of state government’s role in relation to economic growth and/or job creation.
Government has no money of its own to create businesses or create jobs. Government's role, in my view, is to NOT create laws that inhibit the free-market, discourage investment and entrepreneurship, over-regulate, or over-tax our businesses. Government should also repeal laws that protect certain businesses by not allowing new businesses into the market (i.e. CON) - or to make it difficult for individuals to earn a living (over restrictive licensing). In addition, I believe individuals should not be forced to pay for the privilege of working. Government should also not be allowed to use tax dollars or its authority to compete with businesses to make a profit.
Explain your views regarding the roles state government and parents have in elementary and secondary education.
Parents, above anyone else, are the ultimate authority in the education of their children. The state is responsible to ensure that there is funding to support a public school system - however, I do not believe it is their role to control the system. Over-centralization is killing innovation throughout our Tennessee schools, some of which is being dictated down from the federal level, but it is also enforced by the State Dept of Education. The state should be the central repository for good ideas coming from TN LEAs and from across the country and sharing that information - not forcing one particular program or one evaluation system across the board.
What is one of the most satisfying things you have ever done or accomplished and what made it so satisfying to you?
Legislatively, it would be passage of the Religious Liberties bill - to stop the secularist attacks against students of faith. For every 'Yin' there is a 'Yang' - students can't be forced to pray - but neither can they be forced not to. I was so pleased to see the results soon after passage - a student was giving a speech and was allowed to acknowledge Jesus as one of the influences in her life. Another student could have named a popular ball-player, or movie star. The point is, the playing field has been leveled and equality and tolerance of diverse ideas and points of view returned to our schools for our students.
What personal qualities or experiences do you think will best serve you in your role as a state legislator?
I know our founding principles, which are built upon Biblical principles. It makes it easier to find the right path in decision making - though at times it is still difficult. I am not easily intimidated by members of the other branches of government, so it makes it easier to stand for 'The People' - whom are often forgotten in the battles for power between the parties and between the branches of government. In addition, sometimes the parties or branches combine together to gain more power over the citizen. This is directly in opposition to the reasons why I spent 28 years in the military - and I am completely dedicated to fighting these behaviors.
What bill passed in the last General Assembly that you would have voted against and why, or what bill did not pass in the last General Assembly that you wish had passed and why?
I would have voted for Constitutional carry had it ever come to the floor for a vote. I believe these are uncertain times, and I believe that the citizens need to be able to defend themselves - whether it be from social chaos resulting from some natural or man-made disaster; terrorist action; or unbridled and corrupted governmental ambition. The Governor and AG have stood up in regards to the 'bathroom' issue, so the bill now, seems to be water under the bridge - I was actually going to support the special session to bring it back up.
