CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – All three members of the local state House delegation are up for election in November, and candidates are actively campaigning. To help voters with their decisions, Clarksville Now is publishing their written responses to a series of questions on key issues.
The candidates for Tennessee House District 67 are state Rep. Ronnie Glynn, a Democrat, and Chris Lanier, a Republican. Here are their responses on five key topics. Both candidates, presented here in alphabetical order, were asked to respond in 100 words or less.
1. Infrastructure
What should be done to improve funding for state roads and highways in Montgomery County, including Interstate 24?
Glynn: Montgomery County is growing, and our roads are not keeping up. Folks shouldn’t have to spend hours in traffic trying to get to work, getting their kids to school, or getting home. We need our state dollars working to improve the roads we have and updating our interchanges. Tennessee has an opportunity right now to plan ahead instead of playing catch-up. Our state needs additional revenue sources to increase funding. I’ll keep pushing for our fair share of state dollars so we can keep growing without leaving our roads behind.
Lanier: Improving funding for state roads and highways, including Interstate 24, requires prioritizing transportation in the state budget and ensuring funding accompanies approved projects. Public-private partnerships can provide additional resources and innovation. Transparent oversight is essential so taxpayers can see how funds are spent and projects remain accountable. State and local leaders should also coordinate more effectively to identify needs, pursue federal grants, and prioritize projects based on safety, congestion and economic impact. Finally, engaging Montgomery County residents will help identify the most urgent transportation needs and ensure investments make our roads safer, more efficient, and better prepared for future growth.
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2. Schools/education
What should be done to improve education in Tennessee, and do you support school vouchers?
Glynn: I know firsthand what a difference good teachers, coaches and mentors can make. Growing up in a rural Tennessee, public schools gave me the opportunity to succeed. We need real investments in our classrooms, providing teachers with competitive pay, providing the resources our kids need, and recruiting and retaining great educators. Vouchers take money away from our public schools. Furthermore, lower income kids are not the recipients of vouchers. Our public schools are the backbone of our communities, and I’ll keep fighting to make sure our kids and our teachers have the support they deserve.
Lanier: Improving education begins with reducing testing requirements on LEA’s (local education agencies). Benchmark tests, that districts like CMCSS and Jackson-Madison County implement, can replace other required testing if lawmakers would allow it. Benchmark results are available much faster to have time to implement change. … We need to get back to educating to also include Career Technical Education. … The Education Freedom Scholarship Program provides scholarships, not vouchers, allowing students to unenroll from public schools and receive a $7,295 state funding allowance. If enrollment drops, the local education agency still receives the same funding. … The focus should be on enhancing public school environments to ensure optimal education for all students.
3. Public safety
What are your priorities when it comes to improving, or ensuring, public safety?
Glynn: We need to make sure our police and first responders have the pay, training, equipment and resources they need. Furthermore, I believe prevention matters. My work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and bringing a Boys & Girls Club to Clarksville taught me that when we give young people a safe place to go and a caring adult in their corner, something positive happens. Proactive prevention and strong community involvement can address challenges before they become problems. We need to invest in our kids, our neighborhoods, and our first responders.
Lanier: My top priorities for public safety include enhancing support for our law enforcement agencies through increased funding and training, advocating for tougher penalties on violent crimes, and promoting community engagement initiatives to strengthen trust between police and residents. I also prioritize mental health resources for first responders and individuals in crisis, as well as ensuring that our schools have robust safety measures in place. Protecting our communities while upholding individual rights is essential to creating a safe environment for all Tennesseans.
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4. Affordability
Costs of living are rising in high-growth areas of the state. What would you do to address the need for more affordable housing?
Glynn: Affordability is one of the biggest issues we hear when we’re knocking on doors and talking directly with voters. Folks are working hard, but housing, groceries, and everyday expenses keep going up. Stopping out-of-state developers from coming in, buying communities and raising prices, providing better tax incentives to local developers and eliminating some red tape. We need to work with local communities and builders to increase the supply of attainable homes, especially for first-time buyers. If we want Clarksville to continue growing, we have to make sure it remains a place where working families can afford to live.
Lanier: As a TN state representative, I would support to expand affordable housing opportunities for Tennessee’s workforce. There is legislation that aims to streamline zoning regulations, incentivize developers to build more affordable units, and promote public-private partnerships. By fostering a business-friendly environment, we can attract investment in housing while ensuring that our workforce can afford to live in high-growth areas. Additionally, I would advocate for the inclusion of affordable housing in future infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable community growth. This approach will help stabilize costs and provide essential housing for our residents.
5. Healthcare
What solutions do you support to improve access to healthcare across Tennessee?
Glynn: I’m proud to have helped bring two new hospitals to Clarksville. Our community is growing and we need more care and more choices close to home. Across Tennessee, we need to bring our federal Medicaid dollars home, invest in rural hospitals and clinics, support our healthcare workers, and make sure preventative care is within reach. Tenncare payouts have to increase as well. Nobody should have to choose between getting the care they need or paying their bills. Good healthcare should be accessible to every Tennessean.
Lanier: I support solutions that give Tennesseans more choices in healthcare. This includes expanding telehealth services, so rural communities can access care easily, and promoting Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for families to manage their own healthcare costs. I also believe in reducing rules that make it hard for healthcare providers to operate, which can lower costs and encourage better services. By focusing on patient and provider empowerment, we can improve access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Tennesseans.
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About Tennessee House District 67
District 67 covers most of Clarksville, roughly from the state line to the Cumberland River:
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How to register, how to vote in November
The State General and City of Clarksville election will be Tuesday, Nov. 3, with governor, Congress, General Assembly, city mayor and half the City Council on the ballot.
The voter registration deadline is Oct. 5. Early voting will be Oct. 14-29.
Tennessee voters are required to show a valid photo identification. A driver’s license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Tennessee state government, or the federal government are acceptable, even if expired. College student IDs are not accepted.
For more information on voting, including registering to vote, go to the Montgomery County Election Commission website, visit their office at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 404, email vote@mcgtn.net or call 931-648-5707.
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