As Chief of Police, Rick always approached decision-making by asking how it impacted the people of Anderson County and if it would improve our quality of life. We can expect that same thoughtful leadership when Rick represents us in Nashville.

Rick has more than 30 years of experience keeping the people of Anderson County safe as a deputy and Chief of Police. He knows that every life is valuable and that we need to do more to protect seniors from scams and elder abuse.

Too many of our friends, church members, and neighbors have experienced the affliction of addiction. Rick has the experience and knowledge to know that fixing this issue is multi-faceted. We have to address the drug epidemic and its causes, support law enforcement with resources, stop drugs from coming into our community, and help the people and families devastated by addiction.

It starts at the border. Rick believes we need to enforce federal immigration law and support border states in the fight to keep our nation secure. Tennessee should also hold the federal government accountable for the cost and impact of open border policies and require local law enforcement is given the information they need to enforce the rule of law and keep communities safe.

Lowering our expectations will never allow our children to reach higher. Our children are our future and too much is at stake for one million Tennessee public school students for us not to have accountability at every level. Rick believes strong schools are built on transparency and that high standards today will help Tennessee students be prepared for success tomorrow.

Our schools are stronger when students are prioritized over politics and when parents are empowered to know how their student is performing, what their student is learning, and the options available to them to provide the best education possible. Students and their futures should always come first.

We have to build more effective pathways between education and careers. Students in Tennessee should be empowered with the right knowledge and skills to graduate and pursue the college and/or career path of their choice. Rick supports investment in career-focused education and building pathways to help students prosper and realize their full potential.

Rick understands that every child is unique and should be supported with an education that fits their needs and creates bright futures. The way the state financially supports the work of our schools and teachers should be unique as well, taking into account each student and their needs. Fully fund schools, pay our teachers well, and ensure funding has positive outcomes for our students and their futures.

Rick’s wife, Mollie, operates a small business in Anderson County, Hoskins Drug Store. They know that it’s a blessing and burden, requiring hard work and sacrifice. They also know that small businesses are pillars of the community, providing local jobs and personal services you can trust. Rick will support small businesses and focus on policies that allow families to start and grow a business and prosper in Anderson County.

As a fiscal conservative, Rick knows the best way to limit the federal government’s reckless spending from causing even more damage to Tennessee is to be responsible with state spending. We also combat inflation by lowering regulations and attracting high-paying jobs to our state.

Tennessee is a leader in the nation for economic growth and prosperity. That is fueled by our conservative policies and low taxes. The state income tax should never come back. To ensure that, Rick knows the state must be responsible with spending, balance budgets, and let people live their lives free of an overburdensome government.

While we enjoy healthy economic growth in Tennessee now, it wasn’t always this way. We have to protect the conservative economic victories that support the prosperity of Tennesseans. We also have to make sure that every Tennessean has a shot at that prosperity – in every corner of the state. That means educating our children for the jobs of the future, keeping taxes and prices low for those on fixed incomes, and making sure opportunity is created in every community in the state, not just a few areas.