Early voting has begun and one of our most important choices this year is choosing our next State Senator in District 26. As a former member of both the Tennessee State House and Senate, I recommend and plan on voting for Bob Shutt in the Republican primary. Here are few reasons why.

I personally know both Dolores Gresham, the incumbent, and Bob Shutt. I was born and raised in this district and my family has known the Shutt family for over fifty years. Bob and his wife Janie have raised their children and built a successful business in their hometown. I served with Ms. Gresham in both the House and the Senate and have a great deal of respect for both she and her husband Will. But personalities and relationships aside, this election should be about business, not relationships.

Speaking of business, jobs are the single biggest challenge facing Senate District 26. I believe Donald Trump would agree.

Jobs

Of the eight counties in the district, all are in dire need of jobs. Without additional economic development, many of the district’s smallest communities will suffer educationally, socially and economically.

Fayette County, on the district’s western end, is fortunate to be located next to the state’s largest county and has benefitted from an influx of middle to high-income residents looking to escape the crime statistics in Memphis. While the recession of 2009 slowed Fayette County’s growth and housing boom, its location is a great asset and the new rail yard in the county’s southeastern section is proof of that. I hope Fayette County can continue to thrive and grow and I believe Bob Shutt is the best choice to bring more jobs to all of District 26.

Why? Because Bob Shutt is the only candidate in this race who has created dozens of jobs in his community as a business owner, county commissioner, city councilman and mayor.

Taxes

D0lores Gresham has accused Bob Shutt of raising taxes and she should be ashamed. During his time as a County Commissioner, City Council member and Mayor, Bob Shutt has never voted to increase taxes. Period. Voting to adjust property taxes to current levels after a drop in assessment is not raising taxes. That’s simply keeping revenues at current levels.

Legislatures routinely vote to adjust or increase fees or vote to allow local governments to vote on certain taxes. If doing so is considered a tax increase then Ms. Gresham is guilty of raising taxes herself.

Abortion, Same-Sex Marriage, Gender Equality, Guns Rights

Both candidates are socially conservative and would, in my opinion, vote the same on social and gun issues.

Last week the Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT) released results of a questionnaire they sent to several candidates. Due to an apparent miscommunication, the Shutt campaign never received the survey. However, when FACT released the results via email to their supporters it appeared as if the Shutt campaign had intentionally chosen not to respond. Unfortunately, Bob was denied the opportunity to have his responses posted alongside those of Ms. Gresham.

I can assure you that Bob Shutt is a social conservative and his personal beliefs are in no way affected by any response his opponent would provide. He has now completed the survey and you may review Bob’s answers at www.shuttforsenate.com.

With all of the issues at hand, I believe increasing jobs is the most important task facing our state and I encourage you to support and vote for Bob Shutt as our next State Senator.

State Senator Paul Stanley (retired)