JAMES WOOD
Staff Writer

With the new redistricting changes enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly, congressional candidates Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) and Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) each shared their plans to support and connect with Bedford County and the eastern portion of TN-09, if elected.

The new boundaries of Tennessee’s 9th Congressional District placed Bedford County on its far eastern boundary, with the westernmost portion stretching to southern Shelby County, home to both Taylor and Pearson.

Both shared their philosophies on funding counties across the district and their strategies to remain connected with the communities within it during their tenure in Washington, D.C.

Taylor commented on his plans to support grants that many communities across the state rely on for local projects.

“I’m a former city councilman and a former county commissioner before I was in the State Senate so I understand the question because I have served in those roles,” Taylor said.

He highlighted his plan to have a dedicated grant writer as a part of his congressional office for counties and other municipalities, if he is elected.

“It could be for a road project or it could be a helipad, a hospital or emergency room,” Taylor said. “It could be a grant for a jail or for courthouse security. Anything like this that counties or city governments would like to seek a grant for, I plan to have a person on staff that will help with that.”

Taylor sought to emphasize his prior experience in local government.

“That comes from the local legislative experience that my opponent lacks,” Taylor said.

Pearson shared his strategy on the topic, supporting municipalities through similar grants from the federal government if he is chosen by voters in November.

“I think the federal government has the responsibility of making sure that money starts to go through the state and to the county and local level much better than it has previously,” Pearson said. “We spend way too much money on endless wars, trillions of dollars on foreign governments and not enough of it to actually improve the day-to-day life of people who live in Tennessee.”

“My job in Congress is going to be to make sure that those grant funding and resources from the federal government actually make its way to the people who I serve.”

On the topic of connecting with residents across the district’s larger and wider boundaries, Pearson articulated his position on staying connected to those on both geographical sides of his potential constituency.

“I love Shelbyville,” said Pearson. “I have been to Bedford County several times now and I plan to continue to show up and be a present force in the community.”

He continued to explain his plan to maintain an active presence across the 15 counties of TN-09, including a plan to place a constituent services representative in each county across the district.

“I am committing to hosting monthly town hall meetings across District 9, including Bedford County, so that all people always feel that I’m approximate,” said Pearson. “They’ll be able to ask any questions and I’ll be able to give them answers.”

Additionally, he shared his motivation behind the plan.

“I’ve held more town hall meetings than every state house member and state senator combined in Shelby County and I will continue to do that as a congressman because we have a lot more in common than we do different,” he said. “It’s going to be my job to make sure that I’m listening, that I’m learning and that I’m showing as best as I can in Washington, D.C. for the people of Bedford County, Williamson County and McNairy as much as for the people who are in Shelby County.”

Taylor spoke on his philosophy of remaining connected to Shelbyville and Bedford County along with the newly incorporated rural areas of his district.

“I was born and raised in a small town very much like Shelbyville,” Taylor said. “I understand the needs of a rural community even though I live in Shelby County now.”

He spoke on his plan to hire a representative to connect with each county by hosting monthly meetings akin to Representative Scott DesJarlais’ meetings during his time presiding over Bedford County.

“I have also served on the city council and county commission in an urban environment and I serve currently as a State Senator in a suburban environment so I have lived experience and have represented every type of community in this district whether it be urban, suburban or rural.”

He also went on the attack against his opponent on this issue.

“My opponent is running a Shelby County, Memphis-based campaign,” Taylor said. “He brags on the fact that he’s been to every county at least once. My campaign has been all about all 15 counties.”

Both candidates will be on the ballot for the U.S. House of Representatives during the upcoming midterm election in November.