Meet R. Wayne Steele, Democratic nominee for U.S. House Tennessee District 4
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: Wayne Steele
Age (at time of Aug. 4 election): 38
Neighborhood, town and/or city: Fayetteville, TN
Education: I attended the Utah College of Massage Therapy, have an Associate's of Arts in Psychology at University of Phoenix Online, Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine at Everglades University Online, and am halfway finished with a Master of Public Health Administration with a Concentration in Functional Nutrition also at Everglades University Online.
Job history: I started in a grease spoon restaurant as a bus boy and worked my way up to fine dining and room service server; I've been a small business sole proprietor as a licensed massage therapist for 12 years; had two stints working for the U.S. Census Bureau in 2010 and 2020; and my most recently as a COVID-19 Contact Tracer for a contractor with the TN Dept. of Health.
Family: My father was a diesel mechanic and truck driver, and my Mom a homemaker, factory worker, and food service worker. All my grandparents were farmers for most of their lives or general laborers.
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Ten Questions about your Candidacy
What office are you seeking? (Include district)
Tennessee U.S. 4th Congressional District (Democrat)
Why are you running for this office?
Because the 4th Congressional District deserves a representative that fights for what the citizens need and not for the good of a political party like how Rep. Dr. Scott DesJarlais conducts himself.
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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)
Being a sole proprietor for most of my working career, I have experience talking to people of every walk of life. My life working in rural areas and cities alike makes me the better, qualified candidate because I have lived and seen the lives from some of the poorest to richest and everything in between. We must be able to speak everyone's language to reach into the heart of the most number of constituents to be able to win.
How can you make the biggest impact on your community through this position?
By making sure the money allocated for rural broadband by the federal and state government are delivered upon, that people are put to work building the infrastructure, and see it's delivered to people's homes for education, jobs, and healthcare.
If you are elected (or re-elected), what are your top 2 to 3 priorities for your new (or next) term in office?
Combating inflation by helping get more money in people's pockets by lowering prescription drug costs, lowering all other healthcare costs, and ensuring a 15% minimum flat tax on corporations to pay down the debt and close the deficit.
Protection of privacy in all Americans' lives.
Enshrining term limits into law, or even better, the Constitution.
What are you hearing most from voters about what they want you to accomplish, if elected?
Term limits
Election reform
Protection of public education
Protection of privacy
What else do you want voters to know about you that will help them make an informed decision on Election Day?
That I'm a regular Joe like they are. I'm passionate about the issues that face us, and am not driven by money, greed, or cooperate wealth. We need more people who aren't rich in Congress. The last time a non-lawyer, non-doctor represented the 4th Congressional District was in 1871. We need to bring Congress back down to Earth!
Tell us about a mentor or guide who made a difference in your life and what wisdom would you impart to the community?
My mother's mother instilled in us from a very young age to treat everyone equally, with dignity and respect, no matter who they are or where they're from. This has been a guiding force in my life since the first time I saw an "-ism" at 5 years old, racism, in Kindergarten.
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?
Cahoot's Restaurant in Fayetteville is our old jail where you can dine in a cell, and Honey's Restaurant for the Famous Fayetteville, TN, Poolroom Slawburger!
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: Wayne Steele, candidate, Congress, Dist. 4
