The Tellico Village Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) recently hosted two candidates who Loudon County voters can vote for in the Aug. 1 primary election.
U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville, and Kenneth Moore, a 17-year resident of Tellico Village who is running as a Democrat for the state House of Representatives seat in the 21st District, appeared in two separate forums held in the Yacht Club at Tellico Village on June 20.
REP. BURCHETT …
Burchett is a Knoxville native who spent 12 years as a state senator representing the 7th District in the Tennessee General Assembly before serving as mayor of Knox County until 2018. He has represented the Second Congressional District, which includes Blount, Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, Loudon and Union counties and portions of Campbell and Jefferson counties, since 2019.
Jane George, an advocate for healthcare reform, common-sense gun laws, environmental protection, women’s rights and a living wage for all Tennesseans, is facing Burchett in the election. George was slated to participate in a forum for congressional candidates on July 25 in Kahite.
After opening remarks from GAC member Susan Kirk and Property Owners Association CEO Chet Pillsbury, Burchett began taking questions from the audience. A recording of the full forum can be viewed on the Tellico Village Network channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtaxrWSlUO0.
Burchett responded to inquiries or comments about in vitro fertilization, federal spending, whether the 2020 election was stolen, prescription drug costs and immigration. He also spoke to questions about the January 6 U.S. Capitol Attack and prosecutions related to the handling of information during COVID, as well as gun legislation and the “possibility of a convicted felon leading the most powerful country in the world.”
At times, attendees made it clear they were unhappy with Burchett’s positions, while others thanked him for all he does. One person asked Burchett what he says to folks at all levels of government when they use language that is “angry, divisive and just plain rude.”
“Well I would submit to you that some folks that don’t like me here today — are opposed to me — have been doing that, but they’re allowed to do that because (they) have a First Amendment right to do just that,” Burchett said.
… AND MOORE
The second forum was dedicated for Moore, a former combat engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps with a 40+-year career in engineering and production management. … In 2022, he lost a Loudon County Commission race against District 7 Republican incumbent Henry Cullen; this election year, Moore is facing incumbent Lowell Russell, R-Vonore.
Like Burchett, Moore answered questions about gun control, in vitro fertilization and immigration. He also responded to audience comments on school vouchers and the Ten Commandments being posted in classrooms.
“I’m an engineer, I’m a problem solver, but I am not a politician,” Moore said while introducing himself.
“Earlier, when Tim was here, he said a lot of true things. I talk to my wife often about ‘why is he on CNN?’ on a daily basis. I think one of the reasons is he’s not afraid to say things that are controversial. But unless you’re going to make a change … it doesn’t matter that you’re on CNN.”
Most Popular
Comments / 0