Chris Lanier
RepublicanQ1 Data centers and the TVA grid (Energy / AI / Environment) – Data center electricity use in the Tennessee Valley has grown roughly sevenfold since 2020, and in the Memphis area, gas turbines powering AI data centers have raised air-quality concerns. What specific policies, if any, would you support to protect Tennesseans’ electricity bills, grid reliability, and air quality as data centers expand?
I support a “pay their own way” policy: data centers should fund the generation and grid upgrades they require, sign firm power contracts, and participate in demand-response programs during peak demand.
Gas turbines should face full air-quality permits, emissions monitoring, and operating limits. Tax incentives should require clear public benefits, while a share of data-center payments supports lower household bills, energy efficiency, and local air monitoring.
Q2 Childhood vaccination (Public Health / Trust in Science) – According to the Tennessee Department of Health, roughly 80% of Tennessee counties fall below the 95% kindergarten vaccination rate needed to prevent outbreaks of diseases such as measles. What policies, if any, would you support to manage vaccine-preventable diseases in Tennessee?
I support easy access, accurate information, and school-entry vaccination requirements, with exemptions limited to documented medical needs. Tennessee should expand reminder systems and outreach through trusted local health providers while clearly communicating vaccine risks and benefits. During outbreaks, public-health officials should be able to use temporary exclusions and targeted interventions to protect students and communities.
Q3 Flooding and extreme-weather resilience (Environment / Climate) – Two years after Tropical Storm Helene, East Tennessee communities are still rebuilding, and a 2026 winter storm left hundreds of thousands of Tennesseans without power. What specific steps, if any, would you take to prepare Tennessee’s communities, infrastructure, and power grid for severe weather?
I would invest in stronger infrastructure and a more resilient power grid by upgrading drainage, bridges, dams, and evacuation routes; expanding floodplain mapping and early-warning systems; and hardening power lines and substations. Tennessee should also improve emergency coordination, pre-position supplies, and require new development to meet updated flood and severe-weather standards.
Q5 State Science Education (K-12 Science Education) Secondary science (biology, chemistry, and physics) is one of the subject areas where Tennessee schools most often face teacher vacancies or rely on teachers with emergency credentials, and Tennessee lost a larger share of its teachers between 2023 and 2025 than any other state. What specific state policies, if any, would you support to recruit and keep qualified science teachers in Tennessee classrooms, particularly in rural and high-need districts?
I would raise teacher pay, add rural and high-need stipends, and expand scholarships and loan forgiveness for science majors who commit to teaching in Tennessee. Tennessee should also support district programs like CMCSS’s partnerships that help teachers earn their degrees while working, along with stronger mentoring, reduced paperwork, paid professional development, and affordable pathways for qualified industry professionals to earn teaching credentials.
Q6 Trust in science (Policymaking Process / Trust in Science) – Distrust in science has been on the rise among the general public and policymakers, which has been associated with changes in federal funding for scientific research. In order to bridge this gap, how do you think scientists and policymakers can work together to strengthen their communication?
Scientists and policymakers should communicate through clear, transparent, and nonpartisan briefings that explain both evidence and uncertainty. They should collaborate early, listen to community concerns, disclose conflicts of interest, and use trusted local leaders to make research understandable and relevant to Tennesseans.