Clarksville, TN – Clarksville City Councilman Nick Steward held a press conference on February 1st to announce his plans to run for the State Legislature, District 74. The newly redrawn district includes over 66,000 voters, with over 40,000 located in Clarksville/Montgomery County. The 74th District is currently being served by John Tidwell (D) from New Johnsonville TN. Tidwell was first elected in 1996, and ran unopposed in 2010.
Steward, a Republican, has told Clarksville Online that he was approached to run for the office, “Last year a group of business owners and community leaders approached me to let me know they were happy with my votes and leadership on the Clarksville City Council. They asked me if I would consider running for state office. I told them I would give it some thought, but I was focused on the task at hand. During the redistricting process, a few more people in our community and around Tennessee approached me as well. After a great deal of thought and prayer, I felt that I do have a lot to offer our community and Tennessee by serving in the State House.”
He has spent the past few weeks getting to know political and business leaders in Houston County and Humphreys County, and is pleased with how well he has been received by those communities. “I look forward to the campaign process and discussing the needs and priorities of the 74th House District.”
Currently, Clarksville/Montgomery County is represented by Joe Pitts (D), Curtis Johnson (R) and State Senator Tim Barnes (D). A portion of Montgomery County is now served by Philip Johnson (R), but he lost that population during the redistricting. “I think there is great value in all of our House members being from Montgomery County” said Steward. “With a unified voice understanding our communities’ needs will serve our community well.”
Steward was elected represent the residents of Ward 1 in the Clarksville City Council after longtime councilwoman Barbara Johnson was prohibited from running for another term by term limits. Steward is in the first year of his term on the council. He sees no issues with his continuing to represent the people of the ward as he campaigns for this seat.
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Editor’s note: The following is a news release from a political campaign, and our publication does not constitute an endorsement or political advertisement for the campaign. Any candidate for public office is welcome to submit campaign releases to news@clarksvilleonline.com. These are published as our schedule allows.
Steward’s remarks
Send a conservative with a proven record to Nashville.
Remarks delivered February 1st 2012 at 12:30pm in Clarksville, TN.
Thank you all for being here today, for your friendship, support, and for giving me the opportunity to serve on the Clarksville City Council. I’ve seen a lot of the progress we have had in the community over the last few years, and I have been very thankful for the opportunity to help lead that progress. This service to our community has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I love our community and have enjoyed its embrace since I was stationed at Fort Campbell.
In addition to serving on the City Council, I previously served on the Public Building Authority, as well as the Smart Growth 2030 Plan. I currently serve on the Chamber of Commerces’ Military Affairs Committee and last year Gov Haslam appointed me to the Tennessee Pest Control Board. The capacities in which I have served on in our community and state have helped me to develop a clearer vision for Tennessee.
During my first year in office I opposed a city budget that increased government spending by 15%. I also lead the fight in preserving second amendment rights in our community, saw a new fire station open in my Ward and played an important role in courting commercial development and job creation. In addition, I have also dedicated much of the year to supporting our troops by attending numerous welcome home flights for returning units and planned many special ceremonies for wounded warriors returning to Clarksville. I also represented the city in four visits to Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. Serving our nation’s heroes has been one of my greatest joys this year.
I have been energized by the outpouring of support during my time as a Councilman. I am honored that several members of this community have asked me to consider promoting our conservative values in the Tennessee State House. After much reflection and prayer I have decided to run for the State Legislature in House District 74 as a Republican.
Minimizing the impact of “Obama care” on our small businesses, making necessary improvements in education to improve quality of life and economic development, and improving our transportation infrastructure are priorities I’m sure you agree are critical for Tennessee. As we go down this path towards victory, I could use your help in taking our shared conservative values to Nashville.
Community service is a value that I learned from my mother, a 21 year Air Force veteran. Although our economy is getting stronger, Tennessee has many issues that face us; I would like to be a part of the solution. I have given much to our community, but feel there is still more that I can do. That is why TODAY I am declaring my candidacy for the 74th District of the Tennessee State House. I AM, ‘Committed to Tennessee’ and the direction that our community is heading. I ask for your support in this years election! God bless America, and may God bless Tennessee.
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