Jim Hawkins running against Diane Black for State Senate

http://www.jimhawkins....

As the Democratic candidate for the Tennessee State Senate, I pledge to work hard to bring Tennessee values and common sense solutions to the state legislature.

Families in Robertson and Sumner Counties face tough problems. Job creation and economic development, strong schools, and affordable healthcare are just a few of the priorities facing our communities. Together, I believe we can make a difference and move our district forward in a positive, productive manner.
Focusing on Real Solutions, not Partisanship

For too long, political partisanship has taken priority over addressing the issues of our communities. My goal is to bring my personal experience and energy to a sharply divided Senate in order to build common ground. I want to take on issues that affect our children, working families, local businesses, disadvantaged citizens, veterans, and senior




Candidates Black and Maggart declining debate appearances Only scheduled joint appearance for students
According to Hendersonville League of Women Voters Co-President Shelley Ames, the group had planned to have a legislative debate-style forum, but Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) and Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) declined, while Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet) didn’t respond to the league’s request to participate.





Sen. Diane Black Wants to Deny Voting Rights? Say's she's "teasing"
Posted by : assante on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 04:51 PM
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If you haven’t voted in the past three primary elections, at least. Read more here....

Via a press release from Jim Hawkins:
GALLATIN -- State Senator Diane Black, R-Gallatin, while appearing o­n "The Breakfast Show" o­n WHIN this past Friday, jokingly proposed restricting the rights of citizens who have not voted in recent presidential elections. During the interview, Black suggested that citizens that do not vote as often as she would like be banned from voting. She did qualify these remarks by saying she was "teasing" but she quickly added that denying rights might encourage people to vote.

"I am just appalled when someone tells me that they don't vote and they don't care about voting. And I, actually have teased before and said, I think we ought to look at the population in the county and if you haven't voted in two of the last three presidential races, I think we ought to say we're taking your right away. Maybe that would encourage people to get out and vote." she said.

Jim Hawkins, the Democratic candidate for State Senate District 18 said, "Diane Black's remarks are just plain wrong. We need to encourage student citizens, seniors, veterans and other citizens to vote, not threaten them. This is either a joke in poor taste or she is out of touch and believes voting rights should be denied," he said.

The 18thSenate District includes Robertson and Sumner Counties. The election will be held November 4. Early voting begins o­n October 15. For more information about Jim Hawkins, please visit www.jimhawkins.org.

CLARIFICATION: The Hawkins campaign issues this updated release to clarify that Diane Black did preface her outrageous comments by saying that she had "teased before" about taking away voting rights. We have clarified Senator Black's quote, which is still inappropriate, above in this updated version of the press release. After learning of this omission, we are providing fuller context of her quote in this release.