Early voting is underway and two Democrats are battling for the Tennessee House District 93 seat. Incumbent Rep. G.A. Hardaway Sr. faces a challenge this year from Lashanta Rudd to get on the November ballot.
Republican candidate Renarda Renee Clariett will face whoever wins the Democratic primary, as no other Republican qualified for the primary.
The Commercial Appeal reached out to both Hardaway and Rudd and asked a series of questions to inform voters. Hardaway opted to do a phone interview, while Rudd responded to the email questionnaire sent out.
Candidate responses have been put in the order they will appear on the ballot.
Some responses have been edited for formatting and clarity.
G. A. Hardaway Sr. (Incumbent)
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A: I was elected in 2007, (on) March 13, the very next morning, I was in Nashville and working... I worked quite a few campaigns...I've got a background and public service all the way back to childhood. What I think has prepared me most has been the work that I've done in concert with the other elected officials before I was elected, and that's a strong community engagement immediately before I was elected. I was the executive director for the 100 Black Men for Memphis. And one of the proudest moments was being a visionary and actually opening the Memphis Academy of Health Sciences, which was the first public charter school to open its doors in the state of Tennessee, that was important.
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I have relationships that have taken years to grow and to grow they've allowed me to get legislation that I have authored and legislation that I've co-sponsored, to move there in a nonpartisan manner. And my work is not yet done. I've been successful this General Assembly. I've been successful in helping to write and to pass some of what I think is the most consequential legislation that we've done.
Q: What issues are the most important to your constituents?
A: Violence, and crime... The other is probably a tie between education, economic development and healthcare, and I'll be looking at all three of those areas to do the same thing, to be able to take a comprehensive, holistic approach to solve their concerns that's part of what I promised when I took office was community capacity building.
Q: How will you work to address the major issues impacting your constituents?
A: We will have specific deals that will deal with economic development. Take, for instance, fairgrounds. The University of Memphis now has the sister organization, they now have control of the stadium. I suggested to them to get my support for that stadium, I need more of a commitment from them on involving their resources with the surrounding community, whether it's Orange Mound or Glenview or Cooper Young, and they agreed to do so. One of the other proposals that I'll be putting to them is the development of the stadium itself by having small businesses able to locate around the stadium so at the base of the stadium.
I'll be fighting this year... but certainly offering legislation next year to improve the counselors, academic counselors, and to improve the number of nurses and those who can give counsel, whether it's for psychologists or psychiatric or otherwise, counselors who can help our children to deal with some of the effects growing up. Housing, safe and affordable and secure housing. As our community ages, we will need more affordable, and secure, safe, sanitary housing for our seniors, for those who have been priced out of the market. Lord knows that some of the inner-city properties have more than tripled and quadrupled in value just over these past few years.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: Refining and putting the final touches on blended sentencing (legislation), getting the GPS real-time monitoring mandatory, reforming bail...I guess the third one, we're back to education. We've got to make sure that we offer our children the world-class educational opportunities.
Lashanta Rudd
Q: What is your background and any experience relevant to this elected office?
A:
- I am a Graduate of Hamilton High School
- Studied at Belhaven University ― Business Administration
- Certified Mental Health Life Coach
- I am the founder of Serving In Christ Outreach
- Over 15 years of experience in Public Service
- MSCS Substitute Teacher
- Democratic Women Shelby County
- NAACP
- Black Business Association
- Advocate for Domestic Violence (victims)
- Memphis Police Department Clergy Ambassador
- Shelby County Nonprofit Committee
- Moms Demand Action
Q: Why are you running for this position?
A: I am running for State Representative because our community needs leaders who will advocate for progress and demand better for our district. We need new leadership and new perspectives. Every law is not a good law. We must break the cycle of old politicians year after year.
Q: What issues are the most important to your constituents?
A: Gun laws, Living Wage, Protecting Voters Rights
Q: How will you work to address the major issues impacting your constituents?
A: Being responsive to the needs and concerns of my district is essential for effective governance. Building strong relationships with my constituents is key. Also engaging with them and staying connected will build trust and accountability.
Q: What would three of your top priorities be for your district if elected?
A: As you know, gun violence is a public health crisis that deeply affects our communities and youth. Every day innocent people are dying due to senseless gun violence. The prevalence of guns in the wrong hands is a serious issue. while shopping at Family Dollar, my peaceful day turned into chaos when armed robbers stormed in and held up the store. The fear and trauma of that moment still haunts me. Addressing the gun permit-less carry law it needs to be amended or repealed.
Secondly, it is imperative that I address the issue of minimum wage in Tennessee from $7.25 an hour to $20 an hour. This adjustment will help individuals keep up with the rising cost of living and provide them with a decent standard of living.
Finally, I am a survivor and advocate for domestic violence. We need to expand more life saving services for victims of domestic violence. I want a more holistic approach by strengthening and collaborating with organizations to empower the victims so that they can be free mentally. Once you get free in our mind the body will follow.
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