Compare Heidi Campbell and Andy Ogles, Tennessee candidates for Congress, District 5
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The Tennessean Editorial Board invited all Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress in Tennessee to fill out its survey for the 2022 midterm elections. All the eventual nominees provided their biographical information and answered 10 questions. Below find the answers for this particular race. Early voting ends on Nov. 3 and Election Day is Nov. 8.
More: Learn about candidates running in the Nov. 8 Tennessee general election | Editorial
Democratic nominee: Heidi Campbell
Republican nominee:Andy Ogles
About Heidi Campbell
Age: 52
Neighborhood, town and/or city: Nashville, TN
Education: BA/MBA
Job history: Small business owner, music licensing, writer
Family: Husband Andrew, two school-aged children, extended family in Nashville as well, and goldendoodles
About Andy Ogles
Age: 51
Neighborhood, town and/or city: Culleoka / Columbia
Education: Political Science from MTSU
Job history: I've had a successful career as an entrepreneur owning and operating restaurants and a real estate investment business. Feeling the call to serve my community, I became the COO of Abolition International, where I oversaw operations and investments in 12 countries to fight human trafficking. I then became the first State Director of Americans for Prosperity Tennessee, where I led grassroots coalitions fighting for principles of limited government and lower taxes across the state. After leaving AFP, I served as Executive Director of the Laffer Center, which advises the White House and multiple Governors on tax policy. While working at the Laffer Center, I became a nationally recognized expert on tax policy and healthcare, having been featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal and Investor’s Business Daily. Since 2018, I've served as Mayor of Maury County, Tennessee, and was recognized as Tennessee’s most conservative mayor. Maury County is the fastest-growing county in the State of TN, and I've helped to negotiate over $5 billion in economic investment as Mayor of Mayor County.
Family: I've been married to my high school sweetheart, Monica, for 28 years. We have three beautiful children, Adley, Drew, and Isaac.
Ten Questions about your Candidacy
What office are you seeking? (Include district)
U.S. House of Representatives District 5 (both)
Why are you running for this office?
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)? (Please specify if you are unopposed, but feel free to answer)
Campbell:
I'm concerned about the future of our country for my kids and yours, and for all Tennesseans. Our freedom to build a good life and leave a bright future for our kids is slipping away for too many families, business owners, and family farms. Government is supposed to be us—nothing more and nothing less. Concerned citizens working together to solve problems none of us can solve alone. Like protecting our way of life and fighting for working families and strengthening the middle class. To do that, Congress has to focus on freedom for families first: To me that means every hardworking person, small business owner and family farmer has the tools to build a good life – tools like affordable healthcare, childcare, education and energy.
Ogles:
I am running to preserve a better future for our children and the families of our community. I served the people of Tennessee for decades fighting for limited government, lower taxes, and greater freedom. While others cowered in the face of Biden’s draconian mandates, I stood in the gaps and fought for liberty. I will carry that fight to Washington, D.C. I am running to get the federal government out of Tennessee and faithfully represent the America-First values of Tennessee's fifth district.
What makes you qualified to hold this office and better qualified than your opponent(s)? (Please specify if you are unopposed, but feel free to answer)
Campbell:
Experience and purpose- I am currently a state senator serving the Davidson County portion of this district and prior to winning this seat I was the Mayor of a small town and served on the Greater Nashville Regional Council where I worked with Mayors from all of the areas in this newly drawn district to address issues in Middle Tennessee. My voting record and my history of responsive and thorough constituent services are evidence of my commitment to fiscal responsibility and responsible and civil governance. I have support on both sides of the aisle because I focus on solving problems.
Ogles:
I have an extensive history of fighting for liberty and freedom within Tennessee. I wrote the amendment that resulted in the largest tax cut in Tennessee history. I led a statewide grassroots campaign that stopped Obamacare expansion. I spearheaded the fight against the 2017 gas and diesel tax increase here in Tennessee, bringing hundreds of grassroots activists to the state legislature to meet with their representatives. I led a grassroots effort to stop Common Core and defeated Nashville’s wasteful “Amp” bus transit proposal. In 2020, I stood up to the Biden Administration on Covid regulations by threatening to personally go to jail rather than force the citizens and local businesses of his county to follow the vaccination and mask mandates. Government officials across the state followed my courageous leadership, strengthening my standing with conservative grassroots across the state. When it mattered most, when government overreach was at its greatest, I stood in the gap and led the fight for personal freedom and against government mandates.
How can you make the biggest impact on your community through this position?
Campbell:
Tennesseans need representatives who are not beholden to their political party or Washington, DC. We need people who listen to their district and work to find solutions and assistance both legislatively and through the resources of the office to help Tennesseans. As a small-town Mayor, a State Senator, and a Mom this has always been my primary objective.
Ogles:
I can make the most significant impact on Tennessee's fifth congressional district by reducing the size and scope of the federal government wherever and whenever possible. This also means reducing our total federal spending as a share of GDP and balancing the budget. Getting the federal government out of education and letting families have control over how their children are taught. We must transfer power back to the people. We must begin to follow the simple mandates of the U.S. Constitution again. I will commit to ending the federal government's encroachment upon Tennessee's sovereignty, restoring our system of checks and balances, and dutifully representing the people of Tennessee's fifth district above all else.
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If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Campbell:
Freedom for families: Congress should focus provide the tools for hard-working families and small business owners to build a good life, where they can afford a home, childcare, healthcare and some dignity in retirement. Cannabis reform: Tennessee farmers are losing out on a multi-billion dollar cash crop because the state legislature would rather lock people up than promote justice. It’s time for justice. Reproductive freedom: Our daughters deserve the same rights and freedom as our sons. Families should be trusted to make healthcare decisions for themselves—without interference from the government.
Ogles:
A few of my top priorities are as follows: Building the wall, ensuring our national security, cutting spending, balancing the budget, getting the federal government out of education, and strengthening states' rights.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Campbell:
People are tired of the divisiveness. They want results. They want an adult at the table to find common sense solutions that prioritize freedom for families over big corporate special interests. The hard-working families I’m hearing from are worried about housing affordability, childcare, healthcare and saving for retirement. They want a responsible budget that invests in our future and lowers costs for American families, and I agree. We can invest in what matters if we ask multi-national corporations and billionaires to pay their fair share. Jeff Bezos should not be paying a lower tax rate than Tennessee school teachers.
Ogles:
The voters of Tennessee's fifth congressional district want to know that their border is secure. They want to know their leaders will fix our broken immigration system. The near double-digit inflation rate has slashed their savings and made it more difficult than ever to make ends meet. They want someone that will immediately address Biden's economic catastrophe, end Washington's reckless spending spree, and restore basic principles of fiscal conservatism.
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What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
Campbell:
In the legislature I have an inside perspective on what is going on in our state and I am very concerned that we are not living in anything close to a democratic republic in Tennessee and I worry that if we don't elect people who really care about our future, as opposed to their own personal wealth or power, we won't be living in anything close to a democratic republic in this country. We have serious work to do and we need to stop allowing the conversation to be controlled by powers that aim to divide us.
Ogles:
I have been endorsed by the following organizations because they know I am a true conservative that has tirelessly fought to defend the rights of Tennesseans, and I will continue that fight in Washington. Endorsed by The House Freedom Caucus, Veterans for America First (Veterans for Trump), Rep. Jim Jordan, Rep. Scott Perry, Michael Delgiorno, Dave Ramsey, TN Conservative, Americans for Prosperity
Tell us about a mentor or guide who made a difference in your life and what wisdom would you impart to the community?
Campbell:
Sister Nena was my first grade teacher at St. Bernard. We've all heard the adage "everything you need to know, you learned in kindergarten." Not only did she model civility kindness, and respect for people from all backgrounds, she helped hundreds of kids throughout decades of classes fall in love with reading. She is retired now, and still an inspiration to many others as well as me
Ogles:
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A mentor that made a difference in my life was my Scout Master. He always reminded us that life favors the prepared and rewards kindness.
Will you commit to being civil in how you present yourself and the way you interact with opponents and others? (Our definition of civility is being a good, active, honest and respectable citizen)
Both candidates answered yes.
A fun question: What are one or two attractions (restaurants, parks, venues, etc.) that visitors cannot miss if they come to your community?
Campbell:
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Radnor Lake
Ogles:
If visitors come to our community, they have to visit the Columbia town square. It's full of great music, incredible food, and wonderful people. They also have to visit President James K. Polk's home.
Call Opinion and Engagement Director David Plazas at (615) 259-8063, email him at dplazas@tennessean.com or tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Compare Heidi Campbell and Andy Ogles for Congress, District 5
