Rick Scarbrough campaign announces public safety coalition

The Rick Scarbrough for State Representative campaign has announced a coalition of more than 50 public safety officials, from across the state and in Anderson County, who are united to keep our communities safe and defend the constitution.

Scarbrough is running against state Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge in the Republican Primary, which will be held on Aug. 1. Early voting starts on July 12 and runs until July 27. He is seeking the 33rd District seat, which includes part of Anderson County, in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

“I’m proud to have the support of this growing list of public safety leaders. They are on the front lines of keeping our communities safe every day,” Scarborough said in a news release. “When I get to Nashville, I will fight to ensure they have the tools and support to keep our communities safe.”

The coalition is co-chaired by Jeff Little, chief of the Clinton Fire Department and Greg McBroom, director of community relations for the Anderson County Sherriff’s Department. The list includes local public safety leaders like Clinton Police Chief Vaughn Becker and retired Chief Clifton Melton, as well as retired Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt.

“Rick knows the challenges we face and will support policies that keep Anderson County safe,” Co-Chair Jeff Little is quoted as saying in the release.

The coalition also includessome of the region’s top law enforcement officials, including the sheriffs from Blount (Jimbo Berrong), Knox (Tom Spangler), and Loudon (Jimmy Davis) and police chiefs from Lenoir City (Don White), the city of Loudon (Mike Brubaker), and Maryville City (Tony Crisp) and retired Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith. The full list of coalition members can be found on the campaign’s website at rickscarbrough.com/publicsafety.

“Public safety professionals across this state put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe,” Co-Chairman, Greg McBroom said. “Rick Scarbrough understands that sacrifice firsthand, and we can count on him to fight for us.

Scarbrough became the executive director of the University of Tennessee’s Law Enforcement Innovation Center on Aug. 1, 2018. He worked for the Clinton Police Department for 23 years prior to the UT appointment, serving 16 as chief. He began his law enforcement career at the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, serving six years.

Those interested in learning more about Scarbrough or his campaign can visit his website at rickscarbrough.com.