Julian Pierre-Griffin
DemocraticQ1 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?
My answer is pretty simple - Data centers should incur all costs associated with construction, environmental impacts, and impact on potential rate increases on Tennessee families. In places like Memphis, I support tighter air‑quality protections and continuous emissions monitoring. I welcome all tech investments, but not at the expense of increased household burden or negative environmental impact.
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?
We have to protect the children, but respect family rights. We need to ensure that parents receive fact-based information regarding the need for vaccinations, while expanding access to vaccine services, i.e., mobile services and local clinics.
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?
Having had family affected by the storm, the first thing I saw was the lack of coordination between the state and county. I’d establish a one stop shop to coordinate relief for families and the restoration of infrastructure. I’d require utility companies to invest in grid upgrades that reduce outage risks during extreme cold and flooding.
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?
Being a degreed, but not practicing chemist, this one hit home. First, I would expand state-funded scholarships, loan forgiveness, and paid residency programs for biology, chemistry, and physics teachers who commit to serving in high‑vacancy districts. Second, I support improving starting pay and providing retention bonuses for teachers specializing in the sciences. Third, I would invest in stronger mentoring and professional‑development programs, including partnerships with universities and industry, to help new science teachers succeed and stay!!!!
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?
In my opinion, distrust in science has become tangled in partisan politics, and it’s bs. I believe scientists and legislatures need more direct, consistent communication that’s focused on shared goals rather than political opinions. Again, being degreed in the sciences, the only way to bridge the gap is effective, factual communication from people of know the sciences. Scientists should be involved earlier in the policy process, explaining evidence in clear, accessible language, and policymakers/legislatures should create forums where scientific input is welcomed instead of weaponized!