Yager announces Senate re-election bid

Information from WYSH Radio

Tennessee Senator Ken Yager, a Kingston Republican, recently announced his bid for re-election to the Tennessee Senate. Yager, unopposed in his reelection bid, is seeking his third term to the state Senate.

“It is an honor to serve,” Yager said. “I take my responsibility to serve very seriously and am guided by one—and only one—principle: Constituents come first.”

The 12th Senatorial District is one of the largest in the state geographically.

“I represent seven of the finest counties in East Tennessee and the Upper Cumberland region, and work hard to make sure each receives its fair of state funding and grants,” Yager said. “I have been proud to be able to announce millions of dollars in grants, road projects, and new funding which will improve the lives of all of our citizens.”

The senator said combating prescription drug abuse is among his top priorities.

“I am proud to say that I have led the charge on the most serious problem Tennessee faces: prescription drug abuse,” Yager said. “Working with Governor Haslam, we successfully passed into law the Prescription Safety Act of 2016, giving the state important new tools to fight the scourge of prescription drug abuse and doctor shopping. I have worked closely with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to crack down on suboxone clinics and locate the first residential drug treatment in the state in our district.”

Yager said sound fiscal discipline and eliminating wasteful spending are also hallmarks of his agenda for the next term.

“We’ve worked hard to cut unnecessary spending and lower taxes,” Yager said. “As chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee, I have prevented many unfunded mandates from burdening local property taxpayers. I am also proud to have been one of the leading proponents of eliminating the Hall Income Tax on interest and dividends, saving our retirees over $300 million a year in taxes after the tax’s full repeal. I will continue to work hard to protect our taxpayers from unnecessary and wasteful government spending.

He said he will, with the support of his constituents, continue the fight against drug abuse and stand firm for accountability in government and good stewardship of our resources.

“But most importantly, constituents will always come first in our office,” Yager said. “Quality constituent service and accessibility will remain key to how I represent you in Nashville.”

Yager serves as chairman of the Senate State and Local Government Committee and is also assigned to the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and the Senate Energy, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee. Yager was also elected by his colleagues to serve on the Joint Fiscal Review Committee. Yager and his wife, Malinda, reside in Kingston and have two grown children.

The 12th Senatorial District includes Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, Pickett, and Scott counties.

The state Republican primary is August 4. The state general election is November 8.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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