Sept. 5 (UPI) — State Rep. Gloria Johnson, a Democrat who narrowly avoided expulsion from the Tennessee legislature for protesting inaction on gun violence, announced Tuesday she will challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn in 2024.
Johnson, one of the “Tennessee 3” along with state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, announced her candidacy in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter.
She highlighted standing with her two Democratic colleagues as they spoke out in favor of gun reform in the wake of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville in March.
Jones and Pearson, both Black, were expelled by the Republican majority in the Tennessee House. Both were re-elected in August. Johnson, of Knoxville, avoided expulsion by one vote, but was removed from her committee assignments.
In her announcement, Johnson, a former teacher, focused on the epidemic of gun violence, asking, “When will enough be enough?”
“I know fighting for justice has a cost. I learned that firsthand as a little girl when I had to sleep in a hallway instead of my bedroom to avoid being shot, because my dad had the courage to bring the KKK to justice,” Johnson says. “We deserve a leader with the courage to stand up to extremists and billionaires that have taken over our system. That person ain’t Marsha Blackburn.”
Johnson’s father was an FBI agent, according to her campaign website.
Abigail Sigler, a spokeswoman for Blackburn’s campaign, said in a statement, “While Sen. Blackburn is working hard to fight back against Biden’s woke agenda, state Rep. Johnson is pushing that divisive, destructive agenda here in Tennessee.” Sigler said.
Johnson indicated she would support access to abortion, affordable healthcare and prescription drugs. She took aim at Blackburn for her support of a national abortion ban.
Blackburn has supported bills to prohibit the approval of new abortion medications, block funding for organizations that provide abortion services and rescind the defense department’s accommodations for pregnant troops to seek abortion services.
The stance by the Tennessee 3 earned the praise of President Joe Biden, who hosted them at the White House following the expulsion of Jones and Pearson.
“You’re standing up for our kids, you’re standing up for our communities,” Biden said in April. “What the Republican legislature did was shocking; it was undemocratic. We passed the most significant gun laws, but there’s more to do.”
A special session of the Tennessee General Assembly, called to address “public safety” in the wake of the Nashville shooting that killed six people, including three children, ended last week with little progress on gun policy.
Blackburn has served in the Senate since 2019.
Johnson will face Dylan Fain in the Democratic primary on Aug. 1.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — President Biden has approved federal disaster assistance by issuing an emergency declaration in Tennessee.
With Tropical Storm Helene’s impact causing significant flooding and other issues across the state, the declaration will allow for more money and resources to help with the aftermath.
It also authorizes FEMA to coordinate the relief efforts in the community and keep everyone safe from further catastrophe as best as possible.
Specific counties mentioned include Cocke, Hawkins and Washington, along with Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
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EAST TENNESSEE (AP) — Patients and their caregivers sought shelter Friday on a Tennessee hospital’s roof after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene drove them from the building’s interior and conditions made rescue efforts difficult.
The dramatic scene at Unicoi County Hospital near the North Carolina border was one of several that played out across the southern U.S. in Helene’s wake, as flooding caused by its storm surge and rain sent thousands of police officers, firefighters, National Guard members and others on rescue missions. Hundreds were saved, but at least 40 died.
Unicoi County Hospital tried to evacuate 11 patients and 43 others Friday morning after the Nolichucky River overflowed its banks and flooded the facility, but the water was too treacherous for boats sent by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. The decision was made to take everyone to the roof.
“The water there simply came up faster with more debris than was safe to operate in the rafts to ferry from a dry point back to the hospital,” said Patrick Sheehan, Tennessee’s emergency operations director.
After other helicopters failed to reach the hospital because of the storm’s winds, a Virginia State Police helicopter was able to land on the roof. Three National Guard helicopters with hoist capabilities were on the way, officials said.
“We ask everyone to please pray for the people at Unicoi County Hospital, the first responders on-scene, the military leaders who are actively working to help, and our state leaders,” said Ballad Health, the hospital’s owner, on social media.
Middle Tennessee schools score 2024 National Blue Ribbon for academic excellence
There are a lot of great schools in our area. Congratulations to four schools in the mid-state that were awarded National Blue Ribbons for Academic Execellence. The were among six in Tennessee to receive that honor. They were among 356 schools across the United States to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education!
-Lelan Statom
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