Blanton announces for state house seat

Barbara Blanton (Submitted photo) [Click to enlarge]

Barbara Blanton has announced her candidacy for State Representative for House District 62 in the Aug. 7 Republican primary.

Blanton, president of Rotary Club of Shelbyville, served for four years as chairman of Bedford County Republican Party and four years as vice-chairman. She currently serves as State Senatorial District 16 committee woman for the state party and as secretary of the Bedford County Republican Women.

Blanton was involved in Republican politics in Mississippi before moving to Tennessee, and served in the Mississippi State Senate from 1988 to 1992.

She and her husband, Dr. Ted Blanton, moved to Shelbyville from Mississippi 10 years ago to be close to their daughter, Dr. Dianne Watson, and her family.

"We fell in love with the community and everyone has been so accepting of us," the candidate said.

She has been involved in various medical organizations, and today is president of the Bedford County Medical Association Alliance, and represents Tennessee on the Southern Medical Association Alliance board.

Blanton grew up in rural Mississippi. She graduated from Terry (Miss.) High School and Hinds Community College. She attended Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, N.C., and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va. during her husband's Navy service before receiving a bachelor's degree in 1976 from Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss.

The Blantons have two children and six grandchildren, and are members of First Baptist Church.

"I think I can represent the people of Bedford County really, really well, and I think I can do a better job than the person who is in there now," Blanton said. "Every year a large number of bills get passed in the Senate, only to be killed in the House of Representatives, and I want to do my part to see that doesn't happen."

Blanton has been active in health issues, education, and children's issues her entire adult life.

"There are several issues that are important to me that are being addressed in our state legislature right now," Blanton said. "Issues such as education, immigration, jobs and taxes. I believe that education is a top priority.

"An important initiative facing the legislature is called Education First. The Education First plan is simple: require the legislature to fund the education budget first. Also, I believe that excess lottery funds should be used for school construction.

"On May 31, 2007, Cobb voted to require that excess lottery funds be sent to local school districts for use in K-12 school construction. A few minutes later, he did a flip flop and he voted against the requirement he had just voted for. As a result of this vote, excess lottery funds were not sent to local school districts for use in K-12 school construction."

Another issue that Blanton has championed over the years is pro-life legislation. She was named Statesman of the Year in 1991 by the Mississippi Right to Life, and is currently a member of the Tennessee Right to Life Association.

"Cobb's first vote every year is his vote for House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh," Blanton said. "Naifeh in turn kills a large number of Senate bills when they're sent to the House. One example is the pro-life legislation. Naifeh kills this legislation every year. I will not vote for Naifeh."

"People I talk to say we need jobs; people want to work," Blanton said. "Legislators do not create jobs, however, they work to create a business friendly environment. If you have a good education system and good roads you're going to have jobs.

As to immigration, Blanton said, "Cobb voted against requiring all driver's license tests to be conducted only in the English language. I will vote for this requirement. When Ted was in the Navy, we lived in Puerto Rico for three years and we had to take the test in Spanish.

"Cobb voted against requiring photo ID's to register to vote, and he voted against requiring photo ID's to vote. I believe everyone needs a photo ID to register and to vote.

"There are numerous bills that Cobb and I disagree on, and I will be pointing those out during the campaign."

A campaign kick-off reception for the candidate will be held Saturday at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Michael Watson. Former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist will be a special guest at the event.