Inside Politics begins a 5 week project to introduce you to the candidates who would like to be your U.S. Representative for TN-07. We offered all Democrat and Republican candidates the opportunity to sit down with Ben Hall for an interview before the Special Election Primary. By random drawing after the interviews were completed, we present the first 3 candidate's interviews on Friday, August 22.

Republican Jody Barrett, Democrat Darden Hunter Copeland and Republican Tres Wittum are our guests on this show.

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Congressman John Rose, US Representative for TN Dist. 6 is our guest. After 6 1/2 years at the capitol hill, he is running for governor in 2026. Inside Politics host Ben Hall asks him about his campaign strategy and how the entrance of Marsha Blackburn will affect the race. Rose says that the job of governor is like being the CEO of the state of Tennessee. He says his experience building businesses, managing companies and hiring people will help him to achieve goals and objectives. He feels a business background is best for the office of governor. Rose also answers questions about debating Marsha Blackburn and his support from and to President Trump. He brings up the Jan. 6th storming of the capitol and his unwavering stance about not certifying the 2020 election. Rose also gives his thoughts about school voucher data, balancing the loss of federal Medicaid money and the State/Nashville relationship.

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What are the state comptroller duties and how do they affect the state or a city's budget? How is he involved with state universities and big private industry projects? Jason Mumpower is Tennessee's Comptroller of the Treasury and is our guest on this episode of Inside Politics.

He voted in favor to lease The Boring Company state land for free underneath SR41 Murfreesboro Pike. He talks about the project costing taxpayers free or low cost. He visited the Las Vegas loop in March to learn about the Boring Company. What about the rates, timeline and future expansion of the Nashville project?

Host Ben Hall also asks Mumpower about TSU's financial situation and the rebuilding of TSU with new trustees and a signed MOU with President Tucker. What is his advice about TSU's properties off campus?

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On this episode of Inside Politics, Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Rachel Campbell joins host Ben Hall as they review the 4 Democratic candidates for the District 7 primary election October 7th and what their plan is to win the congressional seat December 2nd in the general election.

Campbell also discusses the Elon Musk Tesla Tunnel that she calls a decision made "behind closed doors...without public comment and input". She also mentions the exclusion of State Representative Justin Jones from the meeting even though the tunnel affects his district. Campbell also talks about the arrest of young democrats after a county commission meeting in Putnam County. Campbell believes we all need to participate in democracy, have interest in what is happening in our districts, go to county commission and school board meetings.

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On this episode of Inside Politics, host Ben Hall welcomes Tennessee State Rep. for House District 59, Caleb Hemmer, to respond to several topics that were discussed on last week's episode with Speaker Cameron Sexton.

Topics include the 7th Congressional District race, school vouchers and Nashville's relationship with the legislature.

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On this Inside Politics, Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton answers various questions candidly about The East Bank Development . Cameron Sexton serves on the East Bank Authority. With state investments like the Titan's stadium and TPAC, he is concerned about costs and the lack of decision making power of the East Bank Authority vs. Metro government's control. Sexton asked: Does Metro want TPAC in the East Bank Development? Is Metro trying to run out the clock to change the deal?

The two also discussed the DCS lawsuit, school voucher tracking, the big beautiful bill impact on Tennessee, the 7th District race and more.

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Tennessee Congressman Mark Green announced at the end of June that he will be stepping down as U.S. Representative for District 7 just six months into his second term. What happens next for constituents? This has left candidates scrambling to get paperwork filed to throw their hat in the ring for both Republicans and Democrats. Who is considering a bid for the seat? Host Ben Hall invites GOP Chair of Williamson County Steve Hickey and Perry County GOP Chair Bob Ousley to explain the demographics of the district and what voters in District 7 are looking for in their U.S. Representative satisfying citizens in cities like Nashville, Franklin and Clarksville as well as rural areas like Perry, Wayne, Hickman and Stewart Counties. A special primary election is set for October 7th and the General Election is set for December 2nd. (This show was recorded before the announcement)

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How can you push for gun safety reform in Tennessee? SaferTN.org was developed during the days after the Covenant School shooting in Nashville March 27, 2023 as a pro-second amendment, bi-partisan non-profit gun safety organization. Safer TN board member Todd Cruse and Host Ben Hall discuss how Safer TN helps get gun safety legislation through capitol hill. Cruse shares concerning statistics about firearm violence in Tennessee. Tennessee leads the nation in firearms stolen from vehicles and firearms are the #1 cause of death of youth 1-17. Safer TN believes gun safety and security of firearms starts at home and in your vehicle. The two also talk about comprehensive background checks for private transactions, online and gun show purchases. Safer TN is also working on stronger temporary transfer laws to prevent a person in crisis from accessing firearms and purchasing a new gun.

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