Two in the hopper this morning.

First, Senate District 24:

Brad Thompson, a longtime community advocate for Northwest Tennessee, formally announced his candidacy for State Senate District 24 today citing his career of strengthening the area’s infrastructure and growing the local economy.

The district includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Obion and Weakley counties.

A civic leader, farmer, educator and Bible class teacher, Thompson said he will focus on results for working families, and he’ll work across party lines to ensure that each county in the district has the best opportunity for jobs growth.

“People have seen enough partisan bickering,” Thompson said. “I’ll put politics aside to make progress on what really matters — getting people back to work and making sure our children can get a high-quality education so they can compete for the jobs of the future.”

Thompson says he will consider a good idea from anyone “because good ideas are just that — good ideas — and they don't come with a party label.”

Thompson also emphasized the importance of effective government with a high priority on personal service for citizens.

“I’m not a politician, I’m an advocate,” Thompson said. “For my entire career, I have been focused on results, and I have worked with people — Republicans and Democrats — in all of these counties to solve problems and to improve our communities. It is important to me to be that kind of public servant.”

A native of Obion County, Thompson served for many years as a top aide to Congressman John Tanner. During this time, he worked extensively on every major economic development project in Northwest Tennessee in recent years, including Interstate 69, the Port at Cates Landing, the Everett Stewart Regional Airport, the Spillway Project, Highway 79 from Paris to Dover/Clarksville, and Highway 79 from McKenzie to Milan.

Additionally, Thompson worked on a Rural Broadband Initiative with the Rural Utility Service for portions of Gibson and Carroll counties.

Thompson was instrumental in securing water and sewer line projects in the district during his tenure with Congressman Tanner, including a project in the Springville Community of Henry County that expanded access to clean water.

Thompson also has worked on tourism projects with Reelfoot Lake, Kentucky Lake, and the Carroll Lake project which all generate millions of dollars in tourism revenues to the region.

“I have been fortunate to work on so many great projects that lay the groundwork for future jobs in our counties,” Thompson said. “In the State Senate, I will always be looking for opportunities to improve the lives for our people, and that starts with putting Tennessean back to work. I want to lead the effort to make sure that state contracts go to Tennessee companies first — to create jobs locally, not in China, India or Canada.”

Thompson serves as Director of Community Development for the city of Martin. The Federal Co-Chair of the Delta Regional Authority, appointed Thompson to the Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy sponsored by the Delta Regional Authority, of which Governor Haslam is the Board Member for Tennessee. The Delta Leadership Institute prepares emerging leaders across the Delta Region to meet the growing economic development challenges of the 21st century.

A member of the Funding Committee for the Discovery Park of America, Martin Rotary Club, and board member for Masquerade Theatre, he is also a former President of the Union City Jaycees, former President of the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Tennessee, a Leadership Obion County graduate, and is a WestStar Leadership program graduate.

A member of the NRA, Thompson is a graduate of the Union City Police Academy, and a member of the Drug Court Steering Committee for the 27th Judicial District.

Thompson resides in the Midway Community, between Union City and Martin, where he and his family have been longtime residents. He is a song leader and Bible teacher at Bishop Street Church of Christ in Union City. He has also taught devotionals and led singing at an area nursing home on a regular basis for many years. He also has been a leader of the United Way of Obion County and Chimes for Charity Drive, a local program to help children and the elderly in need at Christmas.

And in House 78:

Mary Littleton announced her candidacy for State Representative in House District 78 today saying that jobs and the economy are her top priorities. Littleton is seeking the seat of retiring Representative Phillip Johnson. HD 78 includes Cheatham County and parts of Dickson County.

“I’ll use my 20 years’ experience in small business to bring more jobs to our community,” said Littleton. “Tennessee must continue reducing taxes, cutting red tape on small businesses, and maintaining a balanced budget in order to create an environment for private sector job growth. I want to work with Governor Haslam and those in the legislature to make Tennessee the best state in the nation for families and small businesses,” remarked Littleton.

Mary Littleton was raised in Humphreys County and has lived her entire adult life in Dickson. She has 20 years’ experience in small business as co-owner of Littleton Trucking. She serves on the Dickson County Sanitation Board and the Planning & Zoning Board.

Littleton has been active in the American Cancer Society since 1995, helped bring Relay to Life to our area, and serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is a member of the High Noon Rotary Club. Littleton serves as Vice Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party and is a member of the NRA.
Shrinking the size of state government is another area of interest to Littleton.

“Our state legislature is on the right track. This year’s budget is actually smaller than last year’s budget. I’ll work to continue cutting spending, reducing burdensome red tape on small businesses, and cutting Tennessee’s sales tax on groceries,” stated Littleton. She is also opposed to Obamacare and wants to fight federal mandates on Tennessee.

Littleton is 100% pro-life and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment. She is the mother of four and grandmother of four and attends Pond Church of Christ.
Littleton is running in the Republican Primary on Thursday, August 2nd.

An adjunct professor at Bethel College teaching business courses with the Success program, Thompson earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from UT-Martin and his Master of Public Administration, with an emphasis in Organizational Communication, from Murray State University.

 

An FYI: This Mary Littleton is not to be confused with this Mary Littleton.