My name is Timothy Lee and I am running for Tennessee State House of Representatives of the District 55.

Every election year, candidates will tell you that this is the most important election you will ever vote in and I will not tell you any different. However; I offer you the following explanation for my statement. In 2010, Tennessee along with the rest of the country will be redistricting and this means for the first time in history Republicans could be redrawing the lines. This can only be done if we maintain a majority in the house and senate. These lines not only affect state races but also Tennessee Congressional races.

In 2010, Tennessee will have elected a new governor. This newly elected governor will be faced with a huge task regarding the state budget, education, jobs and federal mandates expiring. We need elected officials in office that are of the people and not career politicians. We need citizen representation that knows what it is like to live within a budget, that understands the sacrifices that the average person must endure in order to receive an education, a person who has had to work more hours for less pay because that was the only job available at the time and a Tennessee citizen that believes that Tennesseans know more about what is best for Tennessee than the federal government.

This is our time in District 55 to take a stance and set precedence for all that comes after us, we will not tolerate our elected officials to strip us of our freedom any longer. It is time to pay the price at the voting booth.

I ask you to get involved in the campaign to elect your neighbor, Timothy Lee as your next Tennessee House Representative.

Timothy Lee brings a wealth of real-world experience as a son of Middle Tennessee to his race for the state legislature.

Tim was born on June 5, 1970 at Baptist Hospital to Mark and Cheryl Lee. He was raised in Nashville and has never lived outside of the Middle Tennessee region. Just like you, Tim is no stranger to adversity, hard work and personal sacrifice.

Tim learned at a very young age what it was like to do without. He grew up in an impoverished and violent neighborhood and was bused across town to receive an education. He was fortunate to have parents who believed in him, and they encouraged him to rise above his surroundings and find success.

At Page High School, Tim Lee found his passion for politics. He decided to attend college at Middle Tennessee State University, studying for a degree in Political Science. Lee was a member of the debate team and participated in debates nationwide. He received numerous awards while traveling across the country debating teams from schools such as Vanderbilt, UCLA and the University of Florida.

Paying his own way through school became increasingly difficult, so Lee began to work in various jobs. He learned the meaning of hard work through a variety of jobs including car sales, door-to-door sales, and bartending. Lee learned you can find success in whatever you do as long as you work hard and smart.

After going through hard financial times and a marriage that produced Lee’s first child, Peyton, he chose a career that would positively impact people’s lives. He earned an Emergency Medical Tech license from MTSU in 2001, and then earned his Paramedic certification from Columbia State Community College in 2003.

During that time Tim met and married Kate Smith, a native Tennessean, who grew up in West Nashville. The couple now lives on Harriswood Drive, where they are raising their 2 year old twins, Rowan and Aidan.

Tim Lee’s medical experience includes working for the Sumner County Emergency Medical Service and the Dickson County EMS. He is currently a paramedic in the Emergency Room at Southern Hills Hospital.

Tim returned to school after 10 years and  graduated from Tennessee State University in the fall of 2008 with a degree in Political Science and an emphasis in Pre-Law.

Tim Lee ran for Nashville’s Metro Council in a special election in 2006. Lee was endorsed by MNEA-PACE, the Nashville Firefighters & Fire Service Employees Association Local 140, FOP Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 5, the Nashville Business Coalition and the Nashville City Paper. He was supported by conservatives, independents and liberals, a true indicator of his ability to unite people. The results of that race – narrowly losing by only 152 votes – showed a level of support indicating Tim Lee is a serious candidate.

In 2008, Tim ran for District 55 Tennessee House of Representatives.  With very little resources,  Lee managed a campaign with limited funds.  Over 20,000 voters casted votes in the Presidential race garnishing Tim 34% of the votes cast in the house race.  His opponent attempted to paint Lee as an extremist because he believed inTennessee state rights, maintaining a low tax base, government accountablity, accessable healthcare with options and 2nd amendment rights.   

Tim is an active member in the Bellevue Breakfast club, Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of the Davidson County Young Republicans and Regional Vice Chair of the Davidson County Republican Party. .

In 2008, I first ran for District 55 because I feel our Representative Gary Odom should have opposition to keep him honest. I ran because I believed that I should do everything in my power as a father, husband, and citizen to ensure tomorrow will be better than today. These beliefs have not waivered but only strengthened.
Over the last year, we have patiently watched Capitol Hill anticipating District 55 to be represented with honor and dignity. To no surprise of my own, we were not. Instead, we witnessed some of the worst representation in the last 20 years.
In January 2009 as the Assembly convened, we witnessed one man’s attempt to maintain power. This power was not for District 55, Tennessee or the Democrats, but instead for one specific man. His own party had criticized him on multiple times over the last year for childish behavior unbecoming a legislature much less a Democrat. As 2010 starts up, we are assured more of the same.
In2011 as families struggle with putting food on the tables and unemployment continues a downward spiral, do we need to have our representative playing games with our future. This is not Gary Odom’s district; it belongs to the people that work for a living, people that understand what is like to have to work.
As a district 55 representative, I will support the following:
Photo ID to vote- Many will try to make this a poll tax issue but it is not. If you are unable to afford a state ID then one should be provided for you free. Every time you use a bank or credit card you must show your ID, you purchase cigarettes or alcohol you show an ID or you go to Sam’s or Costco you show an ID. The purpose of the law is to make sure the person voting is correct. As it stands now, a dishonest person can pick up anyone’s electric, water, gas or telephone bill and vote for that person. This deprives a voter of his or her constitutional right.
Healthcare Choice Act- This will allow for Tennesseans to purchase insurance across state lines. This will give Tennessean’s a broader choice of insurance carriers and lower the cost of healthcare.
Legalizing Naturopathic Medicine- Tennessee law provides that the practice of naturopathy is a Class B misdemeanor, but renders this prohibition inapplicable to “persons who comply with the regulatory laws of the state with respect to the practice of the various healing arts. This law needs to be done away with. Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease. This style of medicine does not replace traditional style of medicine but compliments western style medicine.
These are a few things that will help Tennesseans and as the campaign continues we will add much more regarding education, economic solutions and protecting state rights.
The time has come to get serious about District 55 and stop with the games. I ask you to support these issues and our campaign.

As your representative, I will work to give you choices. I will work to apply common sense principles to fix the problems facing our state, especially those in healthcare, education and the state economy.

The Health care system is draining our economy.  We all understand that our current Healthcare system is broke and needs immediate attention, but this is not a federal issue it is a state issue.  The 10th amendment of the United States Constitution ensures our state rights.  Any Tennessee State Representative that is in favor of what Congress is doing in DC is in violation of their sworn oath to adhere to the US Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution.  Congress is not listening to the people but to lobbyist.   I work in a local emergency room and see a major problem. When a family comes into the Emergency Room for a prescription for children’s Motrin because TennCare will pay for it, the state is paying three times more than for a doctor’s office visit. We have a problem. When a patient with a cold comes into the Emergency Room and says he doesn’t want to wait at the doctor’s office, it costs the state double or triples what the doctor’s visit would have cost. We have a problem. When our elderly have to be admitted to the hospital because they could not get their medications we have a problem. Some people who can get healthcare don’t because of cost. We have a problem. Other people can’t get any healthcare. We have a problem. The federal and state governments must address our healthcare problems but in different ways. It’s the only way to reduce the cost of HealthCare and improve everyone’s quality of life.

The economy is another issue that concerns me. Over the next 2 years many tough choices will have to be made regarding our state economy.  One easy solution is a state income tax but this is not a solution but a larger problem.  I will say that under no circumstance will I ever support a state income tax.  Many will look at this as asolution to the economic shortfalls that we are  experiencing.  This will only create a larger burden on the citizens of Tennessee.  Tennessee government needs to cut the fat in every department and even then it may not be enough. The fact is this emergency is because the state budget has increased 34 percent in six years. Tennessee’s emergency is due to irresponsible spending and poor judgment from our elected officials. I believe that spending on a promissory note is bad business and we must not continue this irresponsible behavior. I believe in lowering our taxes and cutting excessive spending out of our state government.

I am a firm believer in state and individual rights and our rights are rapidly being stripped away by our elected officials. I believe we need choices in healthcare. I believe we need solid choices in education. No child should be penalized because their parents are financial strapped and are unable to afford private school. We must find answers for failing schools. Here in Davidson County our schools receive less money per pupil than our neighboring counties.  In our district we have failing schools which mean we are failing our children. Our future depends on changing this around.  I believe we know what is best for us and one thing we can do is vote for someone that believes as you do.

I believe in the U.S. Constitution, including the 10^th amendment.  The question you need to ask, Does your current Representative?

These are a few of my beliefs. I encourage you to contact me and learn more about my values on family, alternative healthcare solutions, and bringing in more jobs for you.