I am a small business owner and the executive director of a nonprofit in Jonesborough, Tennessee. I have a background in business, history, and archaeology including a M.B.A. from East Tennessee State University, a M.A. (Military History) from Austin Peay State University, and a Ph.D. (Classics) from the University of Newcastle. I started my business life at 17 by running a small snack shop in a seasonal Tennessee mountain retreat. To date, I have been involved in projects all around the spectrum, and all around the world. From auctioning real estate, grocery delivery, precious metals, auto restoration, drone mapping, geophysics, and nitrogen in tires; to veterinary medicine, wildlife rehabilitation and conservation, and app development. I have published work in both fiction and non-fiction and have taught courses and seminars on wide ranges of topics. I’ve been a life-long volunteer that embodies the Tennessee spirit. Whether through activities in my communities or teaching self-defense in my spare time, I have always tried my best to lift others up. This is my expectation of myself in public office.
Meet Robert
Amplifying the Voices of Tennesseans
Why Me?
I am running for this position because I feel that our country is going through a transition period that demands service. I believe this position can be better served by someone outside the constraints of our traditional parties. I am not, and will never claim to be, an expert politician. However, I will go into the Capitol as someone unencumbered by our political system. I am a free-thinking American citizen without the financial backing that forces me to serve a party or a donor base. This makes me an underdog. It makes my climb more challenging. However, with your help, it makes me the right fit for this position.
What to Expect?
It is my job to unite and serve the citizenry. This means I will not engage in rhetoric that interferes with the professionalism expected of public office. I will never seek to divide, manipulate, or spin. I will act only after I understand what I am acting toward. No decisions will be made without thought, research, or due process. No unnecessary judgements or bias will affect my focus on issues impacting Tennesseans and Americans.
Why Tennessee?
In Tennessee... I met my partner of 24 years. I welcomed my daughter to this world. I fought against and survived a cancer diagnosis. I grew up safely, played carefree as a child, and was granted opportunity.
I have lived in Tennessee for most of my life. In that time, I have seen the very best of what this state has to offer. Tennesseans help each other when times are tough. We stand united when disaster strikes. It would be an incredible honor to serve the people of Tennessee as your next United States Senator.
Why Vote Independent?
In a time when division and attack seem to be commonplace, I believe we still have a commonality. I believe the people, as a whole, are tired of swings, dissent, and the corporate-led agenda of the political sphere. I believe the people have been lost and their voices smothered by businesses that do not represent their best needs.
I believe that the will of the people can still be represented completely outside of these ties. We, the people, still hold the greatest influence in this country. I believe in our people. I have been surrounded by the people of this wonderful state for the vast majority of my life. We are giving, loving, and we care about our neighbors and their hardships.