John Kennedy

John Kennedy was born in Putnam, Connecticut. Kennedy earned a bachelor's degree from Gettysburg College in 2007. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur. Kennedy has been affiliated with the Democratic Party, the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, and the Recording Academy.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a father, husband, and small business owner. I spent 18 years in the music industry before the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. That horrific act is what drove me to run for office. As a new parent, a frightening reality set in that day as our son attends daycare only a few miles from that site.

I am not anti-gun. I want to prevent the wrong people from getting guns which, I believe, is the most practical solution for keeping our children safe.

During my time in music, my role was routinely that of negotiator. Day in and day out I brought two differing parties together, found a workable solution, and sealed the deal. I believe this work has prepared me for the House of Representatives and the fractured political climate we are living in.

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?

Responsible gun reform is the key to making our children safer in school. It's not about infringing on a person's rights, it's about keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people.I want the government out of our personal business. I want them out of our bedrooms, our doctor's offices, and our libraries. This era of big government needs to come to an end.We must invest in our rural communities by investing in health care and education and by creating entrepreneurial opportunities. The zip code of someone's birth should not determine the course of their entire life.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Responsible Gun Reform, Women's Health Care, Climate Change, Rural Poverty, Rural Health Care

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

My father is my hero. His kindness, intelligence, and work ethic serve as the example for how I approach every day of my life. At 80 years old, he is indefatigable. He still exercises daily for an hour, volunteers his time, voraciously consumes news and mystery novels, and is always on the lookout for the next great movie (thrillers, preferred).

My mother taught me to be competitive. She was a women's athletic coach and lead many teams to undefeated seasons. There is absolutely nothing she cannot make into a competition, down to the number of green lights she can make on a trip. It has never been about being a poor winner or loser, instead she showed me it's about proving to yourself what you can accomplish.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

A friend recently recommended "All This Marvelous Potential" by Matthew Algeo. It recounts the story of Robert Kennedy's 1968 trip to Appalachia. Like his brother, he was driven to public service to help improve the lives of Americans and that resonates with me. He possessed a powerful ability to be an empathetic listener and a willingness to learn about people from different backgrounds.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, empathy, and the drive to create an even better nation.

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

I believe my ability to be empathetic, my quest for fairness, and a relentless work ethic would make me a successful member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities of someone elected to represent Tennessee's 6th is to represent all the citizens of the district, not just campaign donors. Furthermore, the representative must work tirelessly to improve the lives of their constituents.

Constituent services are a top priority. While in college, I interned in the U.S. Senate and learned firsthand the importance of treating every call and letter with the utmost respect.

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

The earliest I can remember would be the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995. I would have been nine years old, about to turn ten. I can still see the picture on the cover of the newspaper in my mind and I remember some of the television coverage. At the time I remember being struck by how I could not understand the hate and anger the perpetrator felt towards our great country.

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

My first job was working on the maintenance crew of the school where my father was the headmaster. I spent six summers pushing lawnmowers, cleaning, and helping do whatever needed to be done.

My first full-time job was when I started my first business between my junior and senior years of college. I launched a talent agency that would go on to be absorbed by a company in Nashville which also served as the catalyst for my move to the great State of Tennessee. As of 2023, I have lived here for 15 years, longer than any other place in my life.

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

This is a tough question. It would probably be someone like Jed Bartlet (The West Wing) or Walt Longmire (Longmire). Both are characters driven to do what is right no matter how popular or unpopular it might be. I relate to their stubbornness and insistence to make a positive difference.

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

As the parent of a toddler, more than likely it was something Ms. Rachel (from YouTube) was singing.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe it is not necessary for a Representative to have had previous experience in government or politics. Business as usual is a big problem in Washington. Outsiders have the ability to bring new perspectives to old situations. We cannot have true diversity in Congress without the people working there having a broad range of personal experiences and backgrounds.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our greatest challenge in the next decade is saving our democracy. There are powerful forces working to destroy this country and what we stand for. I believe it is up to Democrats to save us, again, from going over the cliff.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes and no. I think it is the right length of time for constituents but the financial aspect of endless fundraising for candidates and office-holders makes it tougher than it might otherwise be with longer terms. Personal opinion aside, what's right for the constituent is right for the representative.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am a firm believer in term limits for the United States Congress. Members of the House of Representatives should be limited to five (5) terms. Members of the Senate should be limited to three (3) terms. If you spend 28 years in Congress, it's time to give someone else a chance.

Additionally, anyone over the age of 75 should not be allowed to seek Congressional office or re-election.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

There is a story that sticks out of a man named Robert and his son Daniel. I met them, entirely by chance, a few weeks before they moved to the Philippines. Robert was a wounded veteran and he was struggling to afford staying in Tennessee. His Social Security Disability income allowed them to barely scrape by. Like most Americans, he wanted to give his son the best life he could afford. It was heartbreaking to hear about a man who was willing to die for his country, leaving the "land of opportunity," to live a higher quality of life elsewhere. We have to do better for our veterans. A country is only as good as it takes care of its most vulnerable citizens.

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

Compromise is necessary in almost every aspect of life and policymaking is no different. As the saying goes, "Good does not need to be the enemy of perfect." Sometimes small steps can improve the lives of citizens.

Americans go to work every day and are expected to do their job to the best of the ability. They cannot refuse to work with a colleague because they think differently. Americans expect - and deserve - the same for their government.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would hope this role would allow me to better serve the people of Tennessee by bringing funding and opportunity to our state.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

The House should use its oversight and investigative powers judiciously. The relentless partisan bickering might play to the fringes of parties, but the vast majority of Americans want to see their lives improved, not their representatives grandstanding on television.