Jane Jones

Democrat from Murfreesboro, TN

Jane Jones is a Rutherford County Commissioner representing a district that includes part of the City of Murfreesboro and the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.  She has served on the commission for 6 years.  Her last re-election was an uneventful campaign where she faced no serious opposition.  He major platform issues included coordinated city-county planning, planned growth and development, preservation of open space and parkland, and a new animal shelter for the county.  Prior to serving on the Commission, Jane served on the Murfreesboro Planning Commission and the Rutherford County Election Commission. 

Jane is a member of several civic organizations, including Kiwanis and the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce.  She is single, has no children or boyfriend, has a degree in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University, and has lived in Rutherford County since her college days –some 15 years.  Prior to that, she was a resident of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where she was born.

Jane has been active in local politics since her days at MTSU, where she was Vice President of the College Democrats for 2 years.  While at MTSU, she signed a petition urging the college administration to add the phrase “sexual orientation” to the college’s affirmative action, equal opportunity and non-discrimination statements.  She is fairly well-known in her commission district, in the City of Murfreesboro, and on MTSU’s campus.  She has little or no name recognition outside of Rutherford County.

Jane has $6500.00 in her campaign account.  According to Tennessee state law, she may use these funds in a campaign for state or federal office.

John Smith

Republican from Hendersonville, TN

John is a former state representative for the 44^th District (Hendersonville and surrounding parts of Sumner County, although the district has been re-drawn since his term) and is currently a member of the Sumner County School Board.  Mr. Smith served 2 years in the state house and 4 on the school board, where he was elected with no opposition.  He won a close race against a well-funded opponent in the state house race, but he lost the seat in the next Republican primary.  His platform while in the state house included no new taxes, opposition to a state income tax, TennCare overhaul, and the teaching of “western moral values” in schools.  While on the school board, John has championed student success, demanding accountability from teachers, but also voting for pay raises for school staff.  Mr. Smith held no office prior to his state house term.  He has been a small businessperson for 20 years, owning a successful and popular print shop in Hendersonville, TN.  He has lived in Sumner County all his life. 

John is a member of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, the local Rotary, and the Hendersonville Church of Christ, where is sings in the choir.  He is married to Mary Smith, and has 4 children, ranging in ages from 9 to 19.  He was married once before to Ann Riviera, the marriage ended in divorce.  He is occasionally late in his alimony payments.

John has an Associate of Applied Science degree in General Business Administration from Volunteer State Community College (the degree is listed as “Associate of Science” on his resume) and has some additional coursework at the University of Tennessee at Martin (listed as “University of Tennessee” on his resume.)  John has been active in politics for about 10 years, and has served primarily in behind-the-scenes capacities –helping in campaigns, working at the party headquarters, and designing websites.  He was sanctioned by the Tennessee Election Commission for one of his sites, but was not fined. 

John Smith has $9000 in his most recent campaign account that can be used for his congressional run.  He is well-known in Hendersonville, but has little name recognition in other parts of the district.