Meet Mark Harmon, Democratic nominee for U.S. House, Tennessee District 2
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The Tennessean Editorial Board asked candidates on the Nov. 8 state and federal general election ballot in Tennessee to answer our questionnaire. Find biographical information and their responses to 10 questions. Early voting starts on Oct. 19.
More:Learn about candidates running in the Nov. 8 Tennessee general election | Editorial
Biographical Information
Name: Mark Harmon
Age (at time of Aug. 4 election): 65
Neighborhood, town and/or city: North Hills neighborhood of Knoxville
Education: Ph.D., Ohio Univ., 1988; MS Syracuse, 1981; BA Penn State, 1979.
Job history: 1999 to Present, Professor, Journalism & Electronic Media, University of Tennessee 1988 to 1999, Professor, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 1982 to 1988, Instructor, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio 1989 to 1991, Producer, KAMC-TV, Lubbock, Texas
Family: Married to Becky Harmon since 2003. One sister, one niece, one nephew.
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Ten Questions about your Candidacy
What office are you seeking?
US House, TN 2 (Democrat)
Why are you running for this office?
We need a better congressman. Tim Burchett voted with the insurrectionists and would have delayed or denied the peaceful transfer of power. I list his other awful votes, and there are many of them, on my website. He seems to want to be a Twitter critic of Congress. I want to apply the skills I learned as a county commissioner to bring people together for serious and beneficial policies; I'm committed to diligent and ethical public service.
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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)
I am uncontested in the Democratic primary, but in November I am better qualified than Tim Burchett because he has "gone to the swamp and become just another swamp creature." I want to represent working families and their needs. Crisis reveals character. Burchett caved to the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. When Knox County endured the Black Wednesday scandals, I testified for more than 3 hours about commission's abuses, helping the open meetings citizens prevail. I served on Knox County Commission, 2006 to 2010.
How can you make the biggest impact on your community through this position?
I can help families achieve their aspirations by rewarding work, making college more affordable, and securing reproductive freedom for women.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Increase the minimum wage
Expand the grants available to students for college and other post-secondary education
Protect women's right by codifying into statutory law the abortion rights protections in the Roe and Casey decisions.
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What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Voters want an honest and fair congressman, one not beholden to corporate power. In conversations across the district, many agree with my policy ideas and my approach to getting things done. They like my willingness to debate and are concerned my opponent is ducking debates.
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
I care deeply about my community. I volunteered to be a speech and debate coach for Knoxville College, 1999 to 2003. For nine years I was a "big" in the Big Brothers program. My candidacy is about giving back, and opening doors of opportunity in gratitude for the doors that were opened for me.
Tell us about a mentor or guide who made a difference in your life and what wisdom would you impart to the community?
In Texas I became a friend of Molly Ivins. I miss her dearly. The late, great columnist taught me to fight like hell for what is right and keep a good sense of humor about yourself and the fight.
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)*
Yes
A fun question: What are one or two attractions (restaurants, parks, venues, etc.) that visitors cannot miss if they come to your community?*
No visit to Knoxville is complete without a trip to Market Square or a stroll down Gay Street to the historic and restored Tennessee Theater.
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: Tennessee Nov. 8 election: Mark Harmon, candidate, Congress District 2
