Tennessee Voices, Episode 316: Heidi Campbell, Democratic nominee for Congress
Editor's note: Since the Aug. 4 primary election, The Tennessean has repeatedly requested Republican Fifth congressional district nominee Andy Ogles to participate in forums, write a guest opinion column and appear on a podcast, but we have received no response. The offer remains open.
Tennessee voters across multiple counties and communities, from Columbia to Brentwood and from Donelson to Mount Juliet, are citizens of the newly redrawn Fifth congressional district.
Unlike the state's eight other districts, this seat has no incumbent since Congressman Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, decided to retire because Nashville was split into three districts by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Republican Andy Ogles, the mayor of Maury County, faces Democratic state Sen. Heidi Campbell, the former mayor of Oak Hill. There are also three independent candidates in the race.
On this episode of the Tennessee Voices video podcast, Campbell talked about why she is running and what she is hearing from constituents.
A theme that emerged is that voters in urban and rural parts of the district are tired of divisive politics, she said.
She talked about ways she has worked across the political aisle and how government can better serve citizens.
Campbell also contrasted herself to Ogles in that she does not agree that citizens are at war with each other.
Voter registration deadline is Oct. 11, early voting starts Oct. 19 and Election Day is Nov. 8.
Op-ed by Heidi Campbell: Andy Ogles won't debate me, but here's why voters should consider me for Congress | Opinion
Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.
Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee.
Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter: Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee.
About Tennessee Voices
The Tennessee Voices videocast is a 20-minute program, which started in March 2020 and invites leaders, thinkers and innovators who have written guest columns for a USA TODAY Network Tennessee publication to share their insights and wisdom with me and our viewers.
Please email your ideas for future guests to me at [email protected]. Thank you for watching.
Finally, our journalists are working hard during this pandemic to bring you accurate, verified and solid information. Please consider subscribing and supporting local journalism.
Watch past episodes: Tennessee Voices videocast
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Voices: Heidi Campbell, 5th U.S. district Democratic nominee
