Marquita Bradshaw
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?
I support requiring large data centers to pay the full costs they impose on the grid, rather than shifting those costs to households and small businesses. TVA and state regulators should require transparent forecasts, independent review of major projects, and enforceable plans for new generation, transmission, and backup power before facilities come online.
Any on-site turbines should meet air-quality standards, use continuous emissions monitoring, and be subject to public reporting and meaningful enforcement. I also support efficiency and demand-response requirements, water-use disclosures, and community input—while protecting grid reliability and ensuring Tennesseans’ bills remain affordable.
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 making routine childhood vaccinations accessible and convenient through schools, clinics, and community health programs, while providing families with clear, evidence-based information from trusted medical professionals. Tennessee should strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response, ensure schools follow applicable vaccination requirements and exemption rules, and work with local communities to address barriers such as cost, transportation, and clinic access.
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 prioritize resilient infrastructure and practical emergency planning: strengthen and harden vulnerable power lines and substations, expand vegetation management and strategic undergrounding where it makes sense, and require utilities to publish measurable reliability and restoration plans. I’d support targeted upgrades to roads, bridges, drainage, and communications in flood- and storm-prone areas, along with backup power for hospitals, water systems, shelters, and emergency services.
Tennessee should also improve coordination among utilities, local governments, and first responders; maintain clear public alerts and accessible cooling and warming centers; and pre-position crews and supplies before major storms. Recovery funding should reach affected communities quickly and prioritize resilient rebuilding, with transparent progress reports and special attention to rural areas and households most at risk.
Q4 Federal science funding and Oak Ridge (Science Funding / Jobs and Workforce) – Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and other Tennessee institutions depend on federal research funding. What priorities, if any, would guide your votes on funding for federal science agencies such as the Department of Energy, NIH, and NSF?
I would support stable, transparent funding for federal science agencies, guided by rigorous peer review and clear public benefit. Priorities should include basic and applied research, medical breakthroughs, energy reliability and innovation, national security, and workforce training. Tennessee’s labs and universities create high-skilled jobs and strengthen local economies, so I’d work to protect competitive research grants and partnerships while requiring accountability for how public funds are used.
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 early, clearly, and openly—explaining what the evidence shows, what remains uncertain, and how decisions may affect people’s lives. I support regular public briefings, accessible summaries, and community forums where residents can ask questions. Policymakers should engage independent experts, disclose conflicts of interest, and explain how evidence informs policy, while scientists should listen to community concerns and avoid overstating conclusions. Building trust takes consistency, transparency, and accountability.