“It’s time to go against the status quo, and I hope to be the next Representative for the 57th District,” says Wilson County Commissioner, Dan Walker, as he announced his intention to run in the Republican primary for the 2018 election.
Walker is the second to announce a run in the 2018 Republican primary for the 57th House District, a seat currently held by Rep. Susan Lynn (R-Mt. Juliet), joining Jeremy Hayes, who announced his intention to run on February 28 in an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star.
At the time of his announcement, Hayes cited Lynn’s support for Governor Haslam’s gas tax. Lynn later denied support for the gas tax when Hayes challenged her to a debate, saying “I am not for the gas tax so there is nothing to debate.”
On April 19, Rep. Lynn was one of 37 Republicans and 23 Democrats who voted for the gas-tax increase containing IMPROVE Act.
Walker’s announcement states, “Dan is running on a small government approach, bringing with him a strong business acumen and military leadership to work for the great people of the 57th State District of Tennessee.” A quote from Walker in the announcement states,
I am running on the slogan ‘A Future We Can Count On’. It is now more important than ever that we position state and local governments together with the private sector to optimize technology to better our daily lives. This will allow state government to be more responsive to the fast-paced needs of the growing and aging population in Tennessee.
Both Lynn and Hayes were asked for their comments on the Walker announcement. Hayes responded,
In Wilson County we have been under attack for far too long, by big government politicians. When first elected, as county commissioner, Mr. Walker generously voted to give himself a pay increase. His next “accomplishment” was to raise our property taxes. He, like the current representative, also pushed for the gas tax (even though our state has a two billion dollar surplus). Mr. Walker, like the incumbent, has not met a tax increase he has not supported.
The people of Wilson County have two choices in this election: my opponents – who will continue the out of control spending and raising our taxes, or our campaign that will fight to repeal the gas tax and reduce the size of our state government.
Lynn did not wish to comment.
According to the Tennessee Secretary of State website, the first day that candidates can pick up petitions for the August 2018 primary is January 5, 2018.
Walker’s full announcement can be found below.
Mount Juliet — Dan Walker, Wilson County Commissioner, District 10 is officially announcing his entrance into the race on the Republican Ticket for State House District 57. Mr. Walker will be kicking off his campaign at a private event with close family and friends on May 11 at his residence, followed by a public Meet and Greet to be announced.
Dan is a Navy Veteran, having worked with electrical power plants and onboard an aircraft carrier. He also served on a communications station in an overseas high terror threat region and a minesweeping detachment in “Operation Desert Storm” in support of the liberation of Kuwait. After his Naval career, commissioner Walker attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Also, he is a recipient of a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Cumberland University.
Mr. Walker grew up working in his family’s business, which taught him the value of hard work. His many business accomplishments include a role as a national operations manager for a multi-divisional construction trades wholesaler. He was also involved in mergers and acquisitions, IT software integration, and pricing activities. He is currently employed by a major manufacturer as a pricing administrator.
His wife, Sheila, recently retired from teaching elementary school, having taught for over 30 years. They have one daughter Kelly who is currently attending Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dan is running on a small government approach, bringing with him a strong business acumen and military leadership to work for the great people of the 57th State District of Tennessee. Dan stated, “I am running on the slogan ‘A Future We Can Count On’. It is now more important than ever that we position state and local governments together with the private sector to optimize technology to better our daily lives. This will allow state government to be more responsive to the fast-paced needs of the growing and aging population in Tennessee,” Walker states. He concludes, “It’s time to go against the status quo, and I hope to be the next Representative for the 57th District.”
[…] in a crowded primary, but The Tennessee Star tipline yielded this recent photo of an appearance by Wilson County Commissioner Dan Walker at a gathering of the Wilson County Conservatives that seems to suggest he’s decided the […]