Two Democratic candidates, Nathan B. Denton and Lucian LaFae, will appear on the ballot for the Tennessee House District 26.
The winner will face Republican incumbent Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, for the seat, which represents a string of communities from Chattanooga’s Southside to Sale Creek, including Hixson and Lakesite.
LaFae, 34, lives in the North Shore neighborhood and has lived in Chattanooga for 15 years. LaFae said in a phone interview that she is running to help make life easier for the normal people she sees struggling every day. Having work experience in the service industry, LaFae said she understands those daily struggles.
Denton did not return multiple requests comment by phone, email or campaign and personal social media profiles.
There are no financial disclosure reports for either candidate, but both candidates’ names are registered on the Tennessee Online Campaign Finance website.
LaFae said her campaign has not received any donations, and she is not focused on playing the game.
The District 26 seat has been held by a Republican since 2004, when the late Rep. Gerald McCormick won. Martin was elected in 2022.
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LAFAE
LaFae said access to healthcare, ending the state grocery tax and affordable housing are the focus of her campaign. She said she wants to be a representative who listens to what people are saying and always wants to be available to talk and answer questions.
“So I’m really big about getting people’s lives better in general,” LaFae said. “Another thing that I’ve been trying to put out there is one way that we can do that is if we get rid of the grocery tax. There are quite a few things that we could do financially, move things around to try to support people better.”
LaFae has four posts on an Instagram profile dedicated to the state House run.
The first ceberates trans visiability day with a heart photo of the trans flag.
LaFae said she is queer and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, but that there is no one group that her politics focus on.
“So I just want to be clear that yes, I am proudly queer. Yes, helping queer people helps Tennessee,” LaFae said. “No, I’m not specifically trying to help any one particular group. I genuinely want Tennessee to be a better place for all Tennesseans.”
(READ MORE: Voting registration deadline is July 7 for Aug. 6 elections)
LaFae said she isn’t necessarily expecting to win but that it could be a good year for Democrats in traditionally Republican areas.
“I think it’s a good time to be a Democrat right now because a lot of things are not working,” LaFae said, “and people are being able to see how they’re not working, and they’re kind of getting tired of it.”
DENTON
Denton did not return multiple attempts for comment but has a Facebook page dedicated to the campaign.
“Tennessee veteran, Husband, Hixson resident running for Tennessee’s House of Representatives. I believe in protecting our community, preserving our history and putting working families first,” the Nathan Denton for District 26 profile page says.
A video posted to the page in March has Denton introducing himself and sharing that he picked up a petition to run.
“After serving my country, I came home thinking that my job was done. But the more time I spent in our community, the more I realized something: The same sense of duty that sent me into the service is the same thing telling me now that it’s time to step up again. This district means a lot to me. It’s where my family began. It’s where our families work and they live, and where the next generation is growing up,” Denton said in the video. “But too often, politics turn into partisan arguments while everyday people are just trying to make a living and build a good life. So I’m putting the boots back on this time for our community. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be gathering signatures again on the ballot, and I really appreciate your support. I’d love to earn your vote. Let’s get to work.”
The last post on the Facebook page, which has 25 followers, is from March 9.
Denton appears on the sample ballot posted by the Hamilton County Election Commission.
Early voting begins Friday and runs to Aug. 1. Election day is Aug. 6.
OFFICE DETAILS
Duties: Representatives introduce bills and resolutions, offer amendments, serve on committees, vote on legislation and perform constituent services.
Area represented: Fairmount, Falling Water, Flat Top Mountain, Hixson, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, Lupton City, Mountain Creek, Mowbray Mountain, North Chattanooga, Northshore, Northwoods, Pleasant Grove, Possum Creek, Red Bank, Sale Creek, Sequoyah, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, St. Elmo, Stuart Heights, Walden. Total population of 75,400.
Staff: Each representative has one staffer, two if the representative is a committee chair
Salary: $33,060
Health benefits: Yes
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Contact politics reporter Ruby Rayner at rrayner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6556.