Jordan Henderson

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

School violence is a long-standing challenge in America. Our students should feel safe at school from both internal and external threats. We must learn from past tragedies and fund security upgrades for both public and private schools across the state. New school construction and renovations should be designed with security in mind. Furthermore, we do not have to make our schools look intimidating to implement common-sense security standards. Learn more

At the same time, we cannot incarcerate our way out of the opioid epidemic. While holding suppliers accountable, we must also reduce demand by treating addiction and addressing co-occurring mental health challenges. I support using every tool available to help those struggling with addiction reclaim their lives. Learn more

We must give our criminal justice system the tools it needs to keep violent and predatory criminals off our streets by expanding the Truth in Sentencing Act to include additional crimes that require offenders to serve 100% of their sentence. To stop the flow of deadly drugs into our communities, I support mandatory minimum sentences for those convicted of pushing poison like fentanyl and methamphetamine on their first offense. Learn more

We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women in blue who keep our communities safe. As your State Representative, I will fight to increase the state’s in-service supplement pay and ensure that law enforcement officers have the tools, training, and technology needed to do their jobs safely and effectively. I will also stand for a zero-tolerance policy toward those who commit crimes against law enforcement. Protecting those who protect us must always remain a top priority. Learn more

Economy

The ability to provide for yourself and your family is at the heart of the American Dream. We must create and nurture an environment where small and local businesses can thrive by fostering a skilled workforce and maintaining favorable economic conditions. When capitalism is allowed to flourish, people can achieve a higher standard of living for themselves and their families. Learn more

Education

Education should not be a one-size-fits-all system. Parents should have a voice in their child's education, and we must continue removing barriers that prevent families from accessing the schools that best serve their children. School choice has often been inaccurately portrayed as a battle over funding between public schools and private schools. In reality, school choice is about funding the individual child and ensuring that they are in an educational environment where they can thrive. Learn more

A good education is foundational to achieving the American dream, protecting our national security interests, and preparing for the unforeseen challenges of tomorrow. I am committed to ensuring that our students have access to the best education possible. Academic achievement, academic growth, and social-emotional development should be the standard for every school in Tennessee. We must safeguard our academic institutions from political and social activism. A teacher’s job is to educate, not to indoctrinate their students based upon their personal worldview. Learn more

Guns

At the same time, we must promote responsible gun ownership without legislative overreach. Violence in our country is a serious issue, but the solution lies in expanding access to mental health treatment, keeping firearms out of the hands of violent felons, and strengthening security in vulnerable places such as schools, places of worship, entertainment venues, and local businesses. Learn more

We must safeguard our Second Amendment rights. In District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), the United States Supreme Court affirmed that the Second Amendment guarantees the individual right to bear arms. As a former police officer, I know firsthand that emergency response takes several minutes. Citizens should have the right to take responsibility for their own safety if they so choose. The right to bear arms protects us from crime, evil, and the threat of tyranny. I oppose the banning of so-called “assault rifles,” magazine capacity limits, and “Red Flag” emergency gun orders. These orders violate multiple constitutional protections, including the right to due process guaranteed in the 5th and 14th Amendments. Learn more

Healthcare

We must also strengthen our workforce by addressing shortages among mental health professionals and expand treatment in places where it’s needed most, such as jails and prisons, where untreated mental illness too often drives overcrowding. By focusing on accountability, safety, and partnerships, we can reduce wait times, improve access to treatment, and protect our communities. Learn more

Tennessee urgently needs more mental health hospital beds and services across the state. The decision to close Lakeshore and other facilities decades ago left us in a difficult position. Today, it is clear we are failing to meet the mental health needs of our people, and our communities are paying the price in crime, homelessness, tragedy, and broken families. Learn more

Immigration

I believe that anyone in the United States illegally who is arrested for a crime should be deported. The same is true for those with a violent criminal history in their home country, or with a criminal history that would preclude them from legally entering the United States, as well as anyone who poses a national security threat. Learn more

Ultimately, fixing the broken parts of our immigration system is the responsibility of the Federal Government. In the meantime, Tennessee and our communities must comply with the rule of law, and it is irresponsible governing to look the other way. The state must continue to ban sanctuary cities and reject policies that put Tennesseans at risk. America has always been a place of opportunity where people seek freedom and a better life, but that opportunity must be come with respect for our laws and sovereignty. Learn more

Infrastructure / Transportation

Like it or not, Blount County and Tennessee are growing. We cannot afford to keep outgrowing our roads, schools, hospitals, and public safety resources. We must make infrastructure upgrades that support the growth that has already occurred while ensuring that all future growth is smart and responsible. Strong infrastructure is the foundation of an unmatched quality of life for our citizens. Good roads, clean water, reliable waste facilities, and expanding access to high-speed internet ensures that our communities will remain strong and sustainable for generations to come. Learn more

Taxes / Budget

Like many, I am tired of the expanding debt at various levels of government. I am committed to using hard earned tax dollars in a way that honors the historic conservative value of fiscal responsibility. Overall, Tennessee has done an excellent job in being fiscally responsible. However, we must remain vigilant in identifying fraud, waste, and abuse in budgets and government operations while still providing for the needs of our state. I am against raising taxes and would like to see the individual tax burden decreased. Learn more