Go to the 2018 Gubernatorial Videos main page to find out more about the letter we sent, the questions we asked, and the process we followed in making sure as many candidates as possible participated in this video voter guide.
The third week in February, the Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) sent letters to all the gubernatorial candidates, both the Democratic candidates and the Republican candidates, asking them to participate in our video voter guide. Those candidates included (in alphabetical order): Diane Black, Randy Boyd, Karl Dean, Craig Fitzhugh, Beth Harwell, Bill Lee, and Kay White. Participants who followed our guidelines and answered all 9 questions include Diane Black, Randy Boyd, Bill Lee, and Kay White.
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QUESTION 8
What criteria would you apply in nominating someone to the Tennessee Supreme Court?
DIANE BLACK
Diane Black’s answer transcribed from video
I would look at that individual’s past decisions as a judge to make sure that they met the criteria that we have in our state, and that is upholding the law, number one, and number two, that they made their decisions that would represent what we represent in this state and that is our Christian—our Judeo-Christian values.
RANDY BOYD
Randy Boyd’s answer transcribed from video
The qualities I would look for in the state Supreme Court Justice are, first, faithful adherence to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Tennessee, second, is he or she a person of strong character and strict integrity, and third, are they someone who embraces Tennessee values and follows the law.
BILL LEE
Bill Lee’s answer transcribed from video
When selecting a Supreme Court Justice, I would look first at a person’s integrity. I would look for someone in the mold of Scalia or Thomas, someone who understands that the Constitution should be interpreted in its original meaning and that their job is to interpret the Constitution as it’s written not as they wish it were written or with some particular outcome in mind, someone who wouldn’t legislate from the bench.
KAY WHITE
Kay White’s answer transcribed from video
Well, David, first of all, I think that they should be very knowledgeable in our state laws as well as the Constitution of the United States, which intertwines with one another. And I like the conservative views because conservative views are usually more for the people. Liberal views are liberal. The word tells it all; it’s whatever comes and whatever goes in most cases. So, I would look at someone that was conservative, that knew the law, and that was willing to lay their hand on the Bible and take the oath, that they would uphold the laws of Tennessee. Of course, I am a Republican, and I would prefer that that person be Republican and to meet my criteria. Most of them most likely would be Republican, because not too many Democrats want to uphold the Constitution and the laws of our state, David. They used to, but not now.
