Allie Phillips

Allie Phillips' professional experience includes working in communications and as a caregiver.[1] Phillips earned a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 2017.[2]

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Putting Working Families First & Making Life More Affordable.

I’m running to put working families first. Tennesseans are being squeezed by rising costs while wages lag behind. I’ll fight for policies that lower everyday expenses, protect workers’ rights, and ensure that people who work hard can afford housing, healthcare, and childcare.Protecting and Strengthening Public Schools.

Our public schools are the backbone of our communities. I oppose efforts to defund or privatize public education and will advocate for fully funded schools, fair pay for educators, and support services that help every child succeed; no matter their ZIP code.Investing in Safe, Reliable Infrastructure.

Our district needs serious investment in roads, utilities, and broadband. I support responsible infrastructure funding that creates good local jobs, improves safety, and ensures our communities can grow and thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Economic affordability for working families; public education; labor rights; healthcare access; reproductive freedom; infrastructure investment; and government accountability.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a lifelong Tennessean and a mom. I grew up in Ashland City, received my Bachelor’s degree from MTSU and recently got married & bought a home in Clarksville. I have a 6 year old daughter and was excited to expand my family. Unfortunately, at 19 weeks pregnant, I found out my pregnancy was not viable and staying pregnant posed a health risk to myself. Unable to terminate in TN do to their ban on abortion, I had to seek healthcare in another state. Shortly after arriving to NYC I found out my daughter had already passed in utero. I’m running for office to restore abortion access across the state, fight for our kids safety in schools, support our public schools and many more important issues.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running because I was denied the right to basic healthcare. I’m running because I don’t want any other family to experience the pain my family did.I’m running because my daughter deserves a right to a high quality education in our public schools. I’m running because I shouldn’t fear sending my child to school with the possibility of her not coming back home.I’m running because my LGBT neighbors deserve to love and be loved without consequence. I’m running because I care about my community and the people in my state.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Reproductive rights, Firearm Safety, Public school funding, expanding Medicaid, veteran assistance, affordable housing, paid parental leave, affordable childcare, LGBT rights, and raising minimum wage.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Michelle Obama. She carry’s herself with such grace and dignity. She cares about people and wants to see everyone do well. She’s very well spoken and intelligent.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m compassionate, understanding, loyal, loving and relatable. I’m also fearless, confident, intelligent, courageous and strong. I don’t back down from the things I feel passionately about and I will fight for what my constituents need.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would love to show my living daughter that you can make change possible, as long as you believe you can do it. It’s never going to be easy, this world wasn’t setup to make life easy. But if you’re motivated and determined, anything is possible. I would also like to leave a legacy for other young women who may have experienced what I did. I want them to know that their story matters, their life matters and they are powerful.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

9/11. I was 6 years old.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I got a job at sonic when I was 16. I was the drink girl! I worked there for a few months before I moved onto a different position.

What is your favorite book? Why?

“I’m glad my mom died” by Jennette Mccurdy. It’s a memoir but it truly gives you an inside look on what child stars have gone through. Never would I have thought after watching her on TV that she was struggling so bad off screen. It gives a whole new appreciation for the work she did for so many years while facing so much abuse.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Luna Lovegood

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Is it over now by Taylor Swift. It’s in her release of 1989 and is one of her vault tracks. It’s a bop 😂

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Mental health is something I’ve struggled with since I was 14. It’s something many Americans struggle with and unfortunately it doesn’t just go away. But I’m at a point in my life where I’m able to manage it and still be a productive person in society.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Working together professionally. Meeting with and understanding policy ideas regardless is they agree 100% or not. Being able to stay open minded and not just shut down the opposing party.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Pushing out the supermajority GOP. They have proven time and time again that they are not representing the people who elected them. We need representatives that are there FOR the people and will work in likeness for their constituents.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It can be, yes. But starting new also offers fresh ideas and new perspectives. Being someone who doesn’t have previous experience, I don’t have any expectations. Instead, I’m going in knowing what I want to accomplish and don’t have anything persuading me to a different goal.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. We are the HOUSE of representatives. I know if anyone comes into my home I’m treating them fairly and building a real relationship with them. These are the people that are making decisions for the rest of the state, so it’s important that you build relationships with as many members as you can. It’s helpful to understand their feelings on policies and you can also express your own concerns without fear of it becoming an issue.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

No, I want to be myself.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Possibly

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Absolutely. There are many topics that should not be a “partisan” issue but a human rights issue. Both sides have to come together and discuss what is going to benefit the greater good of our state.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Restoring abortion access.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

TN High School Dems