Blair Walsingham Announces her 2020 Candidacy for the US House in Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District

Signature proposal for economic security inspired by Dolly Parton's “My People Fund.”

Hawkins County TN, Release: March 2, 2020. For Immediate Release

Blair Walsingham proudly announces her candidacy for the US House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District.  She will officially kick off her campaign at the Sevier County Democratic Party monthly meeting Thursday, March 5, 6:30 PM at the King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville, TN.

Blair is a Hawkins County resident, wife, mother of 4 children, and US Air Force veteran.  Her signature proposal is based upon the principles proven with Dolly Parton’s “My People Fund,” which provided an unconditional income for 6 months to victims of the Gatlinburg fires, allowing them to rebuild their homes and their lives.  She recognizes that the lack of economic security, especially in rural communities is a key driver of many of the challenges we face today including poverty, sub-par education, health care access, drug abuse, climate change denial, and gun violence.

"I'm choosing to kick off my campaign in Sevierville, Dolly’s hometown, to recognize that Sevier County is often a forgotten place in TN politics, just like many of the struggling families in East Tennessee have been forgotten by the politicians in Washington. I am running to represent East TN in the US House of Representatives to create an environment where all our children can live with health, dignity, and financial security. ”

Blair does not believe in bureaucratic government programs to address the pressing needs in East TN.  Instead, she believes that putting financial resources in people's hands via a Universal Basic Income is the best way to meet the specific needs of individual families.