Caitlin Nolan
She lobbied the state legislature for anti-bullying legislation as a high school freshman eight years ago, and now Republican Caitlin Nolan is seeking a seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Nolan would challenge incumbent John Ragan of Oak Ridge in the Republican primary in the state’s 33rd District, presuming Ragan seeks re-election to a third two-year term. The 33rd District includes Oak Ridge, Clinton, and most of Anderson County.
The Republican primary is Aug. 7, 2014.
Nolan is a lifelong Anderson County resident, a press release said. She was raised in Norris, lived in Andersonville, and later moved to Oak Ridge. Her father, Bill Nolan, is the state lobbyist for Oak Ridge, and her mother, Amy Nolan, is editor of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal.
Caitlin Nolan graduated from Oak Ridge High School. As a freshman, she lobbied the Tennessee General Assembly in Nashville for anti-bullying legislation. A former state senator, U.S. Rep. Diana Black, a Gallatin Republican, was the sponsor of Nolan’s legislation, which gained national attention. ABC’s World News Tonight named Nolan their Person of the Week for her success in efforts to combat bullying. Nolan has continued to work hard for the cause for more than 10 years, the release said.
It said Nolan served as an intern at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton, where she worked for the Accounts and Budgets Department.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in criminal justice and a minor in political science. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, whose philanthropy helps victims of domestic violence, the release said.
“This inspired Nolan again to lobby the state legislature, this time seeking to increase the penalty for a person who violates an order of protection,” the release said. Tennessee Sen. Mike Bell, R- Riceville, sponsored the legislation.
The release said Nolan was appointed by Chancellor Jimmy Cheek to serve on the Commission for Women while a student at University of Tennessee, and she has been active in Republican causes for many years.
“She believes in the importance of keeping taxes low for families in Anderson County,” the release said. “Nolan believes promoting economic development should be a priority and believes the creation of jobs is vital the community’s success. Nolan feels that improving education is essential in creating jobs and building economic development opportunities.”
“I decided to come back to Anderson County after I graduated from college because I love this community,” Nolan said. “I want to see Anderson County become a place that people want to come back to and where families want to live because I know how great this area is.”
The release said Nolan is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oak Ridge and is pro-life and a firm believer in the Second Amendment. She is a member of the National Rifle Association.
“It would be an honor to serve the people of the 33rd District,” Nolan said. “If elected, I promise to work hard and put the people of Anderson County above all else while serving in the legislature.”
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