I am a small business owner who operated Kemp’s Foodland in this district for over 30 years employing hundreds of people during that time. In 2001, my wife and I sold our stores allowing us more time with family. Since that time, I have managed our rental real estate and investment business. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Jackie for over 36 years. We have 3 daughters, Valerie Dreier, Melinda Ruffin and Joanna Melton all living, working and raising families in this district. I have six grandchildren ranging from 2 years to 15 years old which is why I frequent just about every soccer field, baseball diamond and school gymnasium in this district. I am an active member of First United Pentecostal Church of Nashville. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, fishing, caring for our horses, golfing and reading books about history.
The people of this district helped me be successful and I would like to give back to them. One day I read a letter that a Civil War solider sent home to his mother. In his letter, he wrote of a magnificent capital building around which he camped. He relayed to his mother that it was the most incredible site he had ever seen. Since reading that young soldier’s account, I cannot pass the capital without thinking about the incredible men and women who have worked diligently since our state was founded to make Tennessee the great state it is today. I want to help continue that tradition making Tennessee an even greater place to live, work and raise a family. I am not a career politician. I am a lifelong resident of this state that wants to make a difference proudly serving my community.
I will work with parents, teachers, and political leaders to ensure our education system better prepares our children for the workforce and college. Having been adopted myself, I will be an advocate for the pro-life movement. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, I will fight for our right to bear arms. As a lifetime small business owner, I will create an atmosphere that fosters entrepreneurial spirit through laws that have local businesses best interests in mind not just those of corporate giants. As a God fearing American, I will battle forces trying to take away our rights as Christians. Being a devoted father and grandfather, I will work tirelessly to ensure that our future generations grow up with the same values that my family and I have.