Statement from State Senator Joe Haynes: Reflections on The American Way
February 3, 2012

In 1984, I made a decision to run for the Tennessee State Senate. Little did I know when I made that decision that some 28 years later I would still be serving in that body.

Sen. Joe Haynes

Today, I am faced with a decision about whether or not to offer myself for re-election to continue my service.

There is an interesting symmetry in the circumstances surrounding the decision I had to make in 1984 and the decision I face in 2012. In 1984, the ruling Democratic majority literally changed the district to exclude my home in an attempt to protect a Democratic incumbent. This year, the ruling Republican majority has radically changed my district in an attempt to draw a district more favorable to a Republican candidate.

In 1984, the incumbent state senator I was intent on challenging walked out of the room where the district was changed and defended the action as “The American Way.” The gerrymander of the district backfired after my wife, Barbara, and I moved from our home into a tiny apartment and ran the campaign by focusing on the theme of “The American Way.”  The crass manipulation of the district by the political insiders struck a chord with voters and I defeated the incumbent state senator and went on to win the general election.
Interestingly enough, I eventually became the Chairman of the same Senate Democratic Caucus that voted to draw my home out of the senate district.

This year, in spite of their best efforts, the Republican majority has drawn a new district that I am confident I can win. I have always worked closely with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to create legislation and support public policies that were best for Tennessee.

The secretive process used by the Republican majority to draw legislative districts, without consultation of Democrats or concern for historical district lines or communities of mutual interest, was offensive to my sense of fair play. My decision about whether to run or not was not influenced by the change in the district. If anything, the Republican majority succeeded in stirring my competitive juices which encouraged me to run for another term.

My service, however, has never been about me and my political ego. During my life of public service, 12 years on the Goodlettsville City Commission and 28 years in the Tennessee State Senate, I have always tried to hold true to “The American Way.”

The ideas and ideals that make up this great republic have been my guide. Life. Liberty. The Pursuit of Happiness. The Rule of Law. Fairness. Honesty. Justice. Mercy. These are all parts of “The American Way.” That’s always been why I ran for office. That’s always been why I served.

I have sought simply to serve the people, to represent them with governors of both parties and to stand on the floor of the Tennessee State Senate to give a voice to the voiceless. I sought to provide representation to the men and women who work hard and play by the rules. I fought to create strong schools for our children. I have voted for fair taxation and efficient government. I have helped build roads and bidges all over Tennessee. I have done my part to support higher education as we built splendid colleges, universities and technical schools in every part of Tennessee. I worked with my wife, Barbara, to reform criminal sentencing in Tennessee to make it fairer and more rational. Through my service I have battled to care for the sick, feed and clothe the needy and protect the weak, elderly and infirm.

I am in good health. I work out several times a week and take great joy in the time I have with my wife Barbara, who recently retired from the bench, and our children, Jeff, Mandy and Scott and their spouses. Barbara and I have been blessed with grandchildren and we enjoy the embrace of our large, loving family.

The sweet siren call of my family, a huge stack of unread books and a little used fishing boat demand my attention now. That is why I am announcing today that I will not be a candidate for the Tennessee State Senate in 2012. I will serve out my term and continue my fight for “The American Way.” I will continue to practice law in the law firm I founded 46 years ago.

I have fought the good fight. I have run the race, I have given over a substantial part of my life to the pursuit of “The American Way” for myself and for those whom it has been my privilege to represent. I am proud of my service and humbled by the confidence the people have placed in me time and time again.

TNDP News

Friday, July 22, 8:00AM 
You’re invited to enjoy breakfast with Senator Mark Warner and Bert Dodson.

Senator Mark Warner will host a fundraiser for Bert Dodson

at the Main Street Eatery,  907 Main Street in Lynchburg.

Ticket Prices:

Host – 00 per couple
Co-Host – ,000 per couple
Support – 0 per couple
Guest – 0 per person

Mail checks to:
Friends of Bert Dodson
PO Box 464
Lynchburg, VA 24505

Pay online at
Bert Dodson’s Website

Thank You

Vote Democrat, Protect Your Benefits.

ACV Democratic News

Meet and Greet Senator MARK WARNER and BERT DODSON Friday

Sen. Mark Warner has endorsed Bert Dodson and in a release was quoted as saying,    “As a business person, Bert has the experience we need to help create jobs and keep Virginia moving forward.”    Warner announced he would campaign across the 22nd district with Dodson as his Senate schedule allows.

Dodson called Warner a   “dedicated public servant whose leadership has been instrumental in moving our state in the right direction. I am proud and grateful to have his endorsement.”

Dodson has an extensive business background and runs a Lynchburg-headquartered company with more than 500 employees, and with 34 offices in five states.

“With my 35 years in helping to manage a family owned business, understanding how to meet the payroll, pay bills and taxes, gives me an understanding how the state should work,”    Dodson said in an interview.     He spoke about helping to create and maintain jobs with good benefits. 

“Moving our state forward,”   Dodson said,   “is more important than partisan politics.”

FIVE days left, and we are asking each of you to commit to some serious work between now and Election Day.    A few hours, a few days, whatever you can do.     It is imperative that we squeeze out every possible vote in Amherst County.

At this point, it’s just not optional anymore.    The election is likely going to be too close for comfort.    

In order to prepare materials for your specific job and time, it is very important to contact one of our
coordinators:

 •FOR PHONE CALLS and GENERAL INFO:

DAVID BURFORD (dave_burford@verizon.net) – 434-384-1731 or 434-841-7420

 •  FOR CANVASSING:

SKIPPER FITTS (fitts@sbc.edu) – 434-946-7792 or 434-316-4220

 •FOR SIGNS, DOOR-KNOCKING, GOTV, and ELECTION DAY:

LAURA CASTELLI (lcastelli5@gmail.com) – 434-851-4885, or,

KODY ROZA (kodyjroza@gmail.com) – 434-851-4885

You’re encouraged to stop by Dodson HQ    (1022 Commerce St, 2nd Floor, Suite F) and see what a great team Bert has put together.

Many thanks,

Your AMHERST County Democratic Committee

THIS JUST IN:

Friday, November 4, 2:00 – 3:00 PM   -   Meet and greet Senator Mark Warner and Virginia 22nd Senatorial District candidate Bert Dodson in Lynchburg College’s Sydnor Hall.    Have a bite to eat and talk with Bert and Mark.

NEWS From The Mighty 22nd District

Amherst Virginia Headlines

Lynchburg Headlines

Appomattox Headlines

Fluvanna County

Louisa County

Prince Edward County

Buckingham County

Cumberland County

Goochland County

ACV Democratic News

Vote Democrat, Protect Your Benefits.

ACV Democratic News

If anyone thought President Obama’s jobs bill was going to slide through the Senate before hitting trouble in the House, they were wrong. The Senate Tuesday couldn’t get enough support even for a debate.

With 60 votes needed to open debate, the measure received 50.

From The Hill:

Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.), an Independent who caucuses with Democrats, supported (Harry) Reid’s bid to begin debate on Obama’s jobs package but voiced misgivings over its substance.

“The bottom line here is that I don’t believe the potential in this act for creating jobs justifies adding another 0 billion to our almost trillion national debt,” Lieberman said.

“In fact, I think the most important thing we can do to improve our economy, reduce unemployment [and] create jobs is to bring our national debt under control.”

Lieberman endorsed the deficit-reduction plan crafted by the fiscal commission headed by former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) and former White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles. He said he would vote against Obama’s jobs package as a whole if it came to a yes-or-no vote.

Senior White House officials said Tuesday they would work with Senate Democrats to divide the bill into pieces that would be more likely to pass.

Senator Mark Udall released this statement after the vote:

“President Obama’s proposal included reasonable ideas from both sides of the aisle to get Americans back to work and solidify our economic recovery. And it deserved to be taken seriously. I hoped that my colleagues in the Senate would listen to our constituents and come together to work out our differences. I’m disappointed they dismissed the proposal out of hand without even discussing its merits. We owed it to the American people to give the details in the proposal real reflection and open debate, not an ill-considered death by Senate rules.

“There were parts of the president’s proposal with which I didn’t personally agree, but I voted to consider the bill because our economy needs solutions, not partisan games. My office received an overwhelming number of telephone calls, emails and social media messages asking me to bridge the partisan divide for Coloradans who are struggling to find jobs. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues on any plan that creates jobs and gets our economy back on track.”

Before the vote, Colorado Democratic Party Chair Rick Palacio said this:

“Republicans campaigned on jobs last year, but we have yet to see any comprehensive plan from the GOP to put Americans back to work. Their inaction has gone on for too long, and today they can finally contribute to the effort to put Americans back to work. Coloradans looking for work can’t wait any longer.”

The Colorado Independent

  FORMER DEMOCRAT SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE HAILS MURPHY FOR HIS OPPOSITION TO IRAQ WAR AND TO U.S. MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX     For Immediate Release: October 15, 2008  For Further Information: John Murphy (610) 384-4460   EAST FALLOWFIELD, PA – The John Murphy for Congress Campaign is extremely happy to announce that former Senator and [...]
3rd Party – Independent Pulse

Rancorous dialogue on the Hill from his own party has irked Gov. Bill Haslam. The Commercial Appeal has the story:

Haslam calls for more civil dialogue in education disputes

By Richard Locker

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

NASHVILLE — After days of highly charged rhetoric in and around the State Capitol, Gov. Bill Haslam said today he’s concerned that a “partisan divide” has deepened in Nashville over the last few weeks that will start to hamper solving Tennessee’s problems.

The governor’s remarks to business leaders here came hours after a Republican state senator warned teachers in a Senate floor speech Monday night that legislative “warriors” are going to “change radically… government schools in Tennessee.”

Borrowing from Shakespeare’s “Henry V,” freshman Sen. Jim Summerville, R-Dickson, said, “We will bend public education to our awe — or break it all to pieces.”

Here’s a clip of Summerville’s speech on the Senate floor:

TN Democratic Party News

Senator John Kerry met with fishermen and city leaders in New Bedford today to discuss the fishing industry.

Sen. Kerry said, “Our fisherman across Massachusetts are hurting, not just the economy, but the government and some the decisions that have been made without sensitivity and without adequate creativity. I believe we can do better.”

NECN reports that Kerry plans to fight federal fishing rules. The fishing industry plays a major part in the Massachusetts economy, but local fisherman are ofter caught in the middle of federal trade bans that effect their incomes.

Senator Kerry has been a longtime advocate for the fishing industry here in Massachusetts.

The Democratic Daily

Watch it live online on  C Span’s website.

From TIME:

Beginning at 10:25 am Friday morning, the independent senator took to the Senate floor in an attempt to block President Obama’s hefty new tax bill. The bill is an extension of Bush-era tax cuts to the income of the U.S.’s richest citizens and has been criticized as an excessive compromise on Obama’s part.

As I watch the filibuster right now, as Sanders is well into his sixth hour, the self-described democratic socialist is not reading the phone books, but speaking on federal policy (specifically, he is advocating for breaking up big banks).  Sanders caucuses with the Democrats, and didn’t have a Democratic opponent when he was elected to the Senate, but is also closely associated with the Vermont Progressive Party.

Independent Political Report

The Democratic Republican – views and news