Blog

Tennessee’s Democracy Problem

Tennessee consistently ranks among the bottom five states for voter registration and participation. I used to hear that and think, Don’t people care about their future? Why don’t they vote? After several years of voting-rights work, I understand why. It’s not one big...
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Poverty Dunks on Democracy

In October 2020, as I was registering voters outdoors in Alton Park, I saw a man sitting in a lawn chair, watching pickup basketball. I waved, and we exchanged greetings from a distance. He looked old and tired. But when I asked him if he’d like to register to vote,...
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Crime and Punishment and Democracy

Mention felon disenfranchisement—the loss of voting rights resulting from a felony conviction—and a lot of Tennesseans will shrug and say something like, “I mean, it’s a felony. You should lose your rights if you commit a felony.” Their opinion usually changes when...
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Carrying the Load

Canvassing has easily been my favorite part of running for office so far, even given the heat leading up to last week’s primary. All those treks up treacherous steps in North Chattanooga and long driveways in Hixson were rewarded with some fascinating conversations...
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A Word from a Nerd

One summer in the 1980s when I was home from college, my grandmother pulled me aside and whispered, “What’s a nerd?” I was hard-pressed to come up with an answer except the obvious: “You’re looking at one.”  I didn’t quite fit the bespectacled stereotype that was all...
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The State House is the People’s House.

The people of Tennessee aren’t being heard in the State House. I plan to change that. But I need your help.For most of my life as a Tennessean, whether Tennessee was “red” or “blue,” the governance was moderate and the people’s work got done. That’s not true anymore....
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Let’s Go Running Together

Today I picked up papers to run for the Tennessee General Assembly. That’s the state legislature, which meets in Nashville and makes our laws. When I ran for this seat the first time in 2022, I was the only Democratic challenger to a Republican state legislator in...
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Why I Ran (Twice)

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From My (Former) Campaign Trail

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Reproductive Rights

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Health Care

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Gun Safety

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Public Education

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Economy

Bad Faith

Bad Faith

Governor Bill Lee tweeted out something interesting last year: “Government isn’t the answer to the...

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Democracy

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Allison for Tennessee

email: allisongormantn@gmail.com

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