Wed
Feb 3 2016
10:40 am
Democrat Heather Hensley announces run for State House 89th district
By: R. Neal

Heather Hensley has announced her candidacy for State House of Representatives District 89. Her statement after the break...

To the citizens of district 89 & Tennessee,

My name is Heather C. Hensley and I am today announcing my candidacy as a Democrat for the Tennessee State House of Representatives, District 89.

A little bit about myself- I have lived in Knoxville for over 15 years. I have been a Registered Nurse for almost four years, and I have been married to my loving and supportive husband Chris for a little more than 7 years. As a nurse, I have been honored to care for many individuals and their families, and I am troubled by the fact that so many of our citizens are struggling to find primary care providers because no one accepts the type of insurance they have. Receiving degrees from Pellissippi State Community College, Tennessee Wesleyan College, and Tennessee Tech University, along with being a former nursing clinical instructor at TN Wesleyan, I recognize how important education is to our young people and their families. Across the educational spectrum, teachers need our support! They are the trained experts in their field and we should be listening to what they have to say. Furthermore, we need to encourage individuals to pursue opportunities outside of the traditional four year degree. We need welders, electricians, plumbers, and members of other trades as I believe the secret of improving and empowering individuals to rise above circumstance is to give them the tools to do so. Additionally, our Knoxville economic system has two of the greatest assets of the Southeast with the Tennessee Valley Authority and the University of Tennessee, yet we still have a 6% unemployment rate when the national average is dipping under 5 1/2. My plan is to bring appropriate funds back to us for our health, schools, jobs, environment & growth.

I would be honored to serve as your next State House Representative of District 89 because I acknowledge that many individuals feel like they have nothing to contribute to the decision making process. Please feel free to contact me to give me your comments as I look to hear your concerns firsthand. Take care, God bless, and Go Vols!

Sincerely,
Heather C. Hensley, MSN, RN

Topics:
BrianHornbackdotCom's picture

Democrat Hensley ain't

Submitted by BrianHornbackdotCom (not verified) on Wed, 2016/02/03 - 4:50pm.

a Democrat (link...)

R. Neal's picture

Well, that's interesting.

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2016/02/03 - 5:05pm.
(in reply to BrianHornbackdotCom)

Well, that's interesting. Maybe as a nurse she got fed up with the Republican policies on health care and particularly Medicaid expansion and switched teams.

Heather C. Hensley's picture

Yep, you pegged it.

Submitted by Heather C. Hensley (not verified) on Wed, 2016/02/03 - 5:33pm.
(in reply to R. Neal)

The last four years have been instrumental in swaying my views on many of the important issues - so much so that I am passionate and committed to being a voice for ALL of the citizens of district 89. I care about people regardless of their affiliation. That includes you, too Mr. Hornback.
Have a great day, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Heather C. Hensley, MSN, RN

Tamara Shepherd's picture

*

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2016/02/05 - 1:33pm.
(in reply to Heather C. Hensley)

Hi, Heather. I'm a resident of House District 89 and a prospective constituent of yours. Thanks for running, thanks for responding to questions in this thread, and thanks for offering us those personal endorsements--especially those from local party chair Cameron Brooks and from a former professor of yours.

I do look forward to learning more--maybe at your website, sometime soon--about which of your views, exactly, have been swayed in recent years. I hope you'll alert those of us here at KnoxViews when your any website content on that subject is ready for our look-see.

Meanwhile, I'd welcome an alternative to Rep. Roger Kane in my House district, especially given the damage he's done to public ed since his election.

I'll keep an open mind and again, I look forward to getting to know you better.

John P Rice's picture

Dear Brian Hornback...

Submitted by John P Rice (not verified) on Thu, 2016/02/04 - 4:43pm.
(in reply to BrianHornbackdotCom)

I agree with Knox Co. Democratic Party Chair Cameron Brooks:

"I am aware of Heather's voting record. She stated to me that in the past she was more conservative in her political views but that through personal life experiences and the present state of the Republican party she now identifies with the Democratic party. I personally am satisfied with her answer and explanation. We are the true big tent party and want to open our doors not only to liberals but to moderates, disaffected Republicans and independents who support our party's aims for a better America. I welcome her participation in the political process and for giving voters in the 89th district a choice."

As someone who has known Mrs. Hensley since high school, I know where she stands. The heart and mind of a person is more important than the label or ideology one embodies. People vote with their feet and money and Heather - who knows where I stand in my very liberal political views - donated money in 2011 toward a social issue campaign I ran as a stand against domestic violence and child abuse.

I too was once a "Republican" and saw the world a certain way. It was not the Democratic party or liberal ideology that changed me, it was life experiences and allowing myself to see the suffering in others that I too understood and emotionally connected with. These are types of changes that come from within as life continues to unfold. Some people will change, some will not but Heather's heart has never wavered in the places where it counts the most.

R. Neal's picture

UPDATE: Statement from Knox

Submitted by R. Neal on Wed, 2016/02/03 - 5:25pm.

UPDATE: Statement from Knox Co. Democratic Party Chair Cameron Brooks:

"I am aware of Heather's voting record. She stated to me that in the past she was more conservative in her political views but that through personal life experiences and the present state of the Republican party she now identifies with the Democratic party.

I personally am satisfied with her answer and explanation. We are the true big tent party and want to open our doors not only to liberals but to moderates, disaffected Republicans and independents who support our party's aims for a better America. I welcome her participation in the political process and for giving voters in the 89th district a choice."

Marilyn Lynch's picture

Congratulations

Submitted by Marilyn Lynch (not verified) on Thu, 2016/02/04 - 5:59pm.

As a former preceptor for Heather Hensley, I fully support her candidacy for state representative. Heather has been an advocate for nursing and patients for many years. She has the leadership skills that are needed in Tennessee as well as a excellent grasp of the issues. Heather, I applaud you!

tlc's picture

People Change Views, Brian

Submitted by tlc (not verified) on Thu, 2016/02/04 - 10:31pm.

Does the name Ronald Reagan come to mind? It's allowed, in this nation.

Dan Doyle's picture

Pride

Submitted by Dan Doyle (not verified) on Fri, 2016/02/05 - 9:10am.

Heather,
As a prior full time faculty member that had you as an undergrad student at TN Wesleyan I cannot begin to express my pride in your accomplishments and aspirations! You were a strong student and will be a strong candidate! Thank you for not being afraid to break down political barriers that do nothing but divide us. We can't agree on everything but that's true as a Republican, Democrat, etc and is true even within parties! Maybe this type of thinking will empower people to vote because there is hope and not feel like they are insignificant and their vote falls on deaf ears. I also thank you for mentioning the crafts and trades, you said what I've thought for a while.
Blessings in your efforts!
Dan Doyle

mary wilson's picture

Hornbeck's Opinion...not worth a dang dime.

Submitted by mary wilson (not verified) on Sat, 2016/02/06 - 3:37pm.

Hey, Heather, we were all so PROUD that you have chosen to run in this area as a Democrat. At our super duper Pot Luck for Candidates last night (SRO, by the way) we were excited about your campaign and your qualifications along with your desire to serve this area in Nashville !
BTW, Hornback is not at all qualified to decide who is or who is not a Democrat. In fact, he and his right wing BS do not really belong on this progressive blog where we try to encourage citizens to serve our local, State and National governments as intelligent, qualified Candidates. Last night I observed your presentation as did many of our Democrats who were thrilled that you want to run as a Dem. So we promise to do ALL we can to help you win. By the way, you are our 8th strong, female candidate running this time! And we also have 3 men running as well, and I am curious how many of our Candidates do not meet Hornback's secret 'standards'. Anyway, we don't care. It is time to get those old men out of office. We need change in Knox County AND in Nashville...You go, Heather! We've got your back.

Kevin Spangler's picture

Candidate info

Submitted by Kevin Spangler (not verified) on Tue, 2016/02/16 - 1:16pm.

Heather,

I am a perspective constituent of yours in D 89 and am glad to see a democrat stepping up and running for office. I would like to know if you have a web site or anything else available where I can learn more about you and your platform for election.

Thank You

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