In this episode of Backroads and Backstories, Senator Paul Bailey sits down with House Speaker Cameron Sexton. The two discuss the current state of local politics and life in the Upper Cumberland.
Show Notes
Some of the highlights of the show include:
- Cameron Sexton is an eighth generation Tennessean.
- While his family roots are from Scott County and Oneida, Tennessee, Sexton grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Speaker Sexton moved to Cumberland County in the late ‘90s when he began working for Van Hilleary, a congressman at the time.
- The Speaker of the House attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and studied political science with a concentration in public administration.
- Upon graduation from college in 1994, Sexton went to work for now-lieutenant governor and Speaker of the Senate, Randy McNally for his state Senate race campaign at the time.
- 1994 marked a pivotal point in Speaker Sexton’s career and Republican politics in Tennessee with the election of Sundquist, Bill Frist, and Fred Thompson.
- Speaker Sexton helped Paul Bailey on his first race for state Senate.
- Along with scenic views and nice weather, Sexton’s favorite parts of living in the Upper Cumberland are the wide range of outdoor activities you can enjoy, including kayaking, golfing, and hiking.
- Sexton was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and became the whip during his second term.
- With all of its challenges, Speaker Sexton is proud of what the state of Tennessee was able to accomplish in 2020.
- Speaker Sexton says his office has been cooperating and working with the FBI during their probe into some members of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
- When it comes to the most challenging issues this legislative session, Sexton named Education at the top of his list as Tennessee continues to work toward improving its educational ranking and student achievements.
- Sexton and Bailey agree that the combined governing and budgeting efforts from Governor Haslam and Governor Lee are what helped Tennessee manage 2020 as well as it did.\
Links
- http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/speaker.html
What is Backroads and Backstories with Paul Bailey?
Senator Paul Bailey started the Backroads & Backstories podcast to take a behind-the-scenes look at the issues and to better get to know the people who are shaping the future for the Volunteer State. In this series, we’ll explore the backstories along the backroads of our part of Tennessee. We invite you to join us on our journey to highlight these folks and what makes our area such a special place to live.