Tim Barnes with his wife, Linda, and their children (from left), Patrick, Fergus and Molly family at a Sept. 19 press conference

Barnes, whose candidacy seemingly ended with his primary election 19-vote loss to incumbent Senator Rosalind Kurita, challenged that vote, citing alleged improprieties in the election process; the Tennessee Democratic Executive Committee subsequently overturned that primary  election race and turned the Kurita/Barnes race over to the executive committees in the three District 22 counties: Montgomery, Houston and Cheatham.

On Friday, September 19, Barnes briefly reviewed the process that led to his reclaiming the Democratic nod, and said that the healing of the party rift had begun. In his statement, Barnes pledged to develop a “cooperative” spirit with other legislators, to work at attracting quality high paying jobs to the area, to work at expanding health care options for the people of Tennessee, and to work at managing the state budget with an intent to keep taxes low while “providing necessary services.”

“It is time to turn our attention to the needs of the people,” Barnes said. “I am not here to work for me, I am here to work for the people of Clarksville and all of District 22. The issue now is ‘What can I do for the people of the 22nd Distict?’”

Surrounded by his family, Barnes outlined several priorities he would pursue if elected:

• Price gouging related to gas prices. Barnes said the current laws which impose a $1,000 fine for price gouging “is an insufficient deterrent” to that practice. He advocates not just raising the fines to a more financially painful level but changing the crime from a Class B to a Class A misdemeanor, with a much heavier overall penalty.
• The HOPE Scholarship. Barnes would re-activate discussion of the HOPE scholarship with the intent of dropping the qualifying grade to a 2.75, a move that would open the opportunity of a college  education to more students. He cited the need for an educated workforce, and the desire of more families to afford a college education. The 2.75 would reflect a high school student’s cumulative four-year average and would the grade standard  for retention of that scholarship through each of the four years of undergraduate study. Currently the qualifying grade is a 3.0.
• Pro-life or Pro-choice. Barnes was candid about the fact that his law practice is heavily vested in adoption and family law, and admitted that particularly “some forms of abortion” (i.e. partial birth abortion) is something he does not personally favor. Personally, “I recognize that it is the woman’s right to choose.”  The  Supreme Court ruled that this decision rests solely with the woman, and “I respect that right.” He personally falls on the side of life, but said candidly that this issue of choice is not one to be made at the state level by state legislators. Barnes cited the Supreme Court as the arbiter and said that “choice” was the law of the land, and that law had to be respected. He indicated he would like to work for feasible alternatives to abortion, not the least of which is adoption, but added that “choice” is the law and the right of each individual woman.
• A Living Wage. Barnes voiced deep concern for the average family’s economic survival, stating that he wants the Tennessee wage scale tied to the federal minimum wage and a “living wage” that would offer more than a subsistence level of living for families. It’s a move that would benefit many, including single parent families, Barnes said.
• Paid Sick Leave that would allow an individual to not be penalized when providing care for a sick child, spouse or parent. “Tennessee lags behind the nation” in that area; the lack of this type of benefit negatively impacts employee morale.

As he wrapped up his statement on Friday, Barnes noted that the Senate District 22 seat “belongs to the people.”

Kirk said this was “a difficult decision’; initially the TFCD said that they would not be making any endorsements in partisan primary races. However, it became clear that the active membership of the organization supported Barnes because of his stances on the issues and his eagerness to do the work of and to be the representative of the citizens of the 22nd Senatorial district.The actions of Sen. Rosalind Kurita also played a pivotal role in the decision for the TFCDs endorsement.In 2007, Senator Kurita voted to remove Tennessee’s most senior statesman, John Wilder (D-26 Somerville) for Lt. Governor in favor of Ron Ramsey (R-2 Blountville). For this controversial move, she was rewarded with a leadership position in the Republican controlled chamber. This vote led to the stalemate that exists in the Tennessee State Senate today, as well as the hold up of several important pieces of legislation including issues of Lottery Scholarship GPA and Judicial Selection.

In making this announcement, Tennessee Federation of College Democrats President Leah Kirk said, “Tim Barnes is someone who will represent the students and young people well. He isn’t afraid to stand up for change and gives us hope for the future, our future.”

“College Students across the state are tired of the degrading acts of Senator Kurita to the Democratic party’s values and ideals in Tennessee,” Kirk said. “We are standing up for our issues. We need someone in the State Senate willing to vote with and for Legislators who care about minimum wage, HOPE Scholarship funding, as well as funding to allow more Tennesseans the opportunity to attend college,” Kirk continued.

Tim Barnes is a graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas and The University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville. Tim has been practicing law for 23 years and continues to maintain his office in historic downtown Clarksville. He, his wife Linda, and their three children Patrick, Molly and Fergus are members of the First Presbyterian Church in Clarksville. Tim is also a member of the American Red Cross Board in Montgomery County.

With former Lt. Governor as guest speaker, Tim Barnes launched his campaign for the Tennessee State Senate District 22 seat with enthusiasm and high energy. The Machinists Union Hall was filled with over 130 enthusiastic supporters. Wilder spoke the need for a person committed to being a statesman, being true to the interests of the people. He told the supporters that Tim Barnes is that person. He further stated that there is a strong need for Tim’s integrity and commitment in the Senate. He reminded the audience that there is a time for bi-partisanship and a time to stand with the party. Ending with his standard rally call, “Let the Senate Be the Senate!” he urged the crowd, “Put this young man in the Senate!”

State Rep. Joe Pitts introduced former Lt. Governor Wilder. Following Wilder, Kim Smith, Barnes’ campaign manager, acknowledged the support of the Machinist Union to the campaign.

Machinist Union representatives and AFL-CIO officials presented campaign donation checks. Barnes thanked the union officials for their support but told the gathering that he is in this fight for them.

“This senate seat is not the exclusive property of any one individual. It doesn’t belong to any particular person. It belongs to you, the people of District 22!”

He told of several instances where people told him of incumbent Senator Kurita warning that she had accumulated a massive war chest and that should he challenge her, he would be in for a beating. Barnes characterizes this kind of talk as arrogance, an attempt at intimidation and responded, “Bring it on!” In response, the crowd erupted in cheers of “Time for Tim! Time for Tim!”

Barnes told the group that people will be hearing similar claims from both candidates of concern for the people’s issues. He pointed that while Senator Kurita boasts about the passage of the HOPE Scholarship Retention Reform legislation, she voted against its passage in the Senate. She boasts about passage of Home Health Care Reform, but she failed to vote for it in the Senate. Barnes pledged to remain true to his commitment to pursue the electorate’s issues, not his own personal agenda.

Refreshments included barbecue pulled pork, baked beans, sweet vinegar coleslaw and assorted soft drinks. Supporters found volunteer sign-up sheets, T-shirts, lawn signs on hand, and cash donations were briskly exchanged.

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