Robert Jones

Data centers should pay the costs their expansion creates rather than shift those costs onto Tennessee households and small businesses.

I would support federal legislation and TVA oversight requiring transparent cost allocation, enforceable financial commitments from large electricity users, and public reporting on projected demand, infrastructure costs, and reliability.

Before new projects occur, TVA should demonstrate that adequate generation, transmission, and reserves will be available. I support energy efficiency, cleaner generation, storage, and agreements allowing participating facilities to reduce demand during grid emergencies.

For on-site turbines, I support enforcing Clean Air Act requirements, appropriate permitting, and publicly accessible air-quality monitoring. Calling equipment “temporary” should not excuse sustained pollution or avoid required scrutiny.

Affected communities should have a meaningful opportunity to review proposals and raise concerns BEFORE commitments are made. Economic development should deliver measurable community benefits while protecting affordable electricity, reliable service, and public health.

I support childhood vaccination guided by rigorous evidence, independent medical expertise, and transparent safety monitoring. Protecting children also means protecting infants and people whose medical conditions prevent them from being vaccinated. For instance, a cancer survivor like me must be able to follow their oncologist’s recommendations for vaccination after chemotherapy.

As a U.S. Senator, I would support reliable funding for vaccination access, disease surveillance, public-health laboratories, and rapid outbreak response. That includes protecting the Vaccines for Children program and helping local providers offer convenient appointments, rural outreach, and catch-up vaccination.

Trust requires honest communication. Parents should have access to qualified professionals who can explain benefits, risks, and uncertainties respectfully. Safety concerns deserve investigation and clear answers.

School vaccination requirements are primarily state decisions. I support evidence-based requirements with legitimate medical exemptions and public-health measures proportionate to outbreak risks.

Federal health guidance should reflect the best available research, with transparent advisory processes and disclosed conflicts of interest. Public servants should help families obtain reliable information and care, while allowing scientific findings to guide public-health recommendations.

My location and participation in the response to Helene allowed me to see firsthand what worked and what did not. Federal support must begin with listening to the communities affected.

I would support federal response protocols that give communities a clear role in identifying their needs and shaping how assistance is delivered. Agencies should coordinate to avoid unnecessary duplication while maintaining the backup capacity necessary to a strong response. Protecting families must remain the priority.

Preparedness should combine local knowledge with credible assessments of future risks, including climate change. I support updated flood mapping, reliable forecasts and warning systems, and rebuilding bridges, roads, water systems, and emergency communications to withstand future disasters.

For the grid, I support targeted weatherization, stronger substations and distribution systems, and backup power for hospitals, shelters, and essential services. Underground lines, battery storage, and microgrids should be evaluated for practical benefits and cost.

I would also support voluntary floodplain buyouts and watershed restoration where appropriate. However, these plans must respect property owners and have community input.

Rural communities need assistance navigating federal grants. Recovery funding should arrive promptly, with transparent oversight. Resources should follow demonstrated need and public benefit, regardless of politics or wealth.

I support stable, predictable federal investment in science, including both basic research and work addressing immediate public needs.

My priorities would include energy reliability and innovation, public health, environmental protection, national security, and a strong scientific workforce. Tennessee institutions should compete through fair and transparent processes grounded in scientific merit.

I would support rigorous peer review, research integrity, appropriate security protections, and clear conflict-of-interest disclosures. Accountability should examine scientific quality, responsible spending, and public benefit without demanding that every project produce an immediate profit or a politically convenient conclusion.

Abrupt funding disruptions can undermine ongoing research and workforce development. I would seek dependable funding and transparent explanations for significant changes.

Oak Ridge, our universities, community colleges, and industry partners should also help expand opportunities for students, technicians, and early-career researchers across Tennessee.

Fiscal responsibility includes evaluating long-term returns and the costs of losing expertise. I would scrutinize waste while protecting the research capacity that supports future discoveries, jobs, and public well-being.

Trust grows when people can understand the evidence, question it, and see how it informs a decision. Scientists and policymakers should communicate regularly. I support accessible public briefings, community discussions, and partnerships connecting researchers with schools, local governments, and the people affected by their work.

Scientists should explain findings plainly, distinguish established conclusions from preliminary results, disclose conflicts of interest, and acknowledge uncertainty. Policymakers should accurately represent those findings and explain how evidence shaped their decisions.

I oppose spreading misinformation, especially when public officials use it for political advantage. Leaders have a responsibility to verify claims before sharing them, correct false statements, and avoid presenting speculation as fact. Honest questions and good-faith disagreement deserve respectful answers.

As a senator, I would publish the evidence behind major decisions, seek relevant expertise, and explain when new findings lead me to change my position. Admitting an error is part of accountability.

My academic background has reinforced a simple principle: conclusions must remain open to revision when better evidence becomes available. Public service should follow that same standard.