My name is Timothy Lee and I am running for the Tennessee House of Representatives from House District 55.

We are at a historic time in American politics. The upcoming presidential election offers us as citizens many firsts and will see voter turnout in record numbers. This will be the first time many young people vote while some Americans who have not voted in a long time will. It is because of the great differences in the Presidential election that this is happening.

Many will say it is Democrats vs. Republicans or liberals vs. conservatives but those are just titles placed on individuals. What it is really about is right and wrong: what is right for our country and what is wrong the country. This is the time when your vote can have a direct impact on government starting at the state level.

The state of Tennessee is in economic peril. It is because we continue to elect the same people to office who have caused the problem. We need people in office who understand what hard times are and how to overcome them. We deserve to be represented by citizens of our community, not individuals controlled by special interest groups.

Your vote is the tool with which to bring positive change and regain control of our government. You and I can stop the old ways this election year. In order to create change you and I must break the existing mold and bring in a fresh perspective and a new leadership that will reflect the choices you want.

I am running to give the people of the 55th House District a real choice this year, a choice for positive change rather than more of the same.

Timothy Lee brings a wealth of real-world experience as a son of Middle Tennessee to his race for the state legislature.

Tim was born on June 5, 1970 at Baptist Hospital to Mark and Cheryl Lee. He was raised in Nashville and has never lived outside of the Middle Tennessee region. Just like you, Tim is no stranger to adversity, hard work and personal sacrifice.

Tim learned at a very young age what it was like to do without. He grew up in an impoverished and violent neighborhood and was bused across town to receive an education. He was fortunate to have parents who believed in him, and they encouraged him to rise above his surroundings and find success.

At Page High School, Tim Lee found his passion for politics. He decided to attend college at Middle Tennessee State University, studying for a degree in Political Science. Lee was a member of the debate team and participated in debates nationwide. He received numerous awards while traveling across the country debating teams from schools such as Vanderbilt, UCLA and the University of Florida.

Paying his own way through school became increasingly difficult, so Lee began to work in various jobs. He learned the meaning of hard work through a variety of jobs including car sales, door-to-door sales, and bartending. Lee learned you can find success in whatever you do as long as you work hard and smart.

After going through hard financial times and a marriage that produced Lee’s first child, Peyton, he chose a career that would positively impact people’s lives. He earned an Emergency Medical Tech license from MTSU in 2001, and then earned his Paramedic certification from Columbia State Community College in 2003.

During that time Tim met and married Kate Smith, a native Tennessean, who grew up in West Nashville. The couple now lives on Harriswood Drive, where they are raising their 6 month old twins, Rowan and Aidan.

Tim Lee’s medical experience includes working for the Sumner County Emergency Medical Service and the Dickson County EMS. He is currently a paramedic in the Emergency Room at Southern Hills Hospital.

Tim has returned to school and is anticipating graduation from Tennessee State University in the fall of 2008 with a degree in Political Science and an emphasis in Pre-Law.

Tim Lee ran for Nashville’s Metro Council in a special election in 2006. Lee was endorsed by MNEA-PACE, the Nashville Firefighters & Fire Service Employees Association Local 140, FOP Andrew Jackson Lodge No. 5, the Nashville Business Coalition and the Nashville City Paper. He was supported by conservatives, independents and liberals, a true indicator of his ability to unite people. The results of that race – narrowly losing by only 152 votes - showed a level of support indicating Tim Lee is a serious candidate.

Tim is an active member in the Bellevue Breakfast club and the Davidson County Republican Party. Tim is a member of the Davidson County Rescue Squad.

There are two very important questions that are asked of an individual running for office. Why are you running and why should I vote for you?

My decision to run for House District 55 stems from my belief that I should do everything in my power as a father, husband, and citizen to ensure tomorrow will be better than today. You look back and see “the good ole’ days.” Remember when fuel and milk were $2.00 a gallon, and when our children attended school and we didn’t have to worry about them?

Do you remember when government listened to you? I do. I want to create a community that our children and grandchildren will remember as the good ole’ days. The question should not be why am I running but why would I not run?

The next question that is always asked is why should I vote for you? You should vote for me because I am you. I do not want to be held down and told I have no choices. I want to live my life free from government interference. I want the government to listen to us.

I believe you feel the way I do and I pledge to you that I will fight for you. I will fight for our children’s right to a quality education. I will fight for better health care choices. I will fight for better jobs for you. I will fight wasteful government spending. I will fight against tax increases.

I have fought all my life to get where I am today. I know how to fight for you and win. That is the reason you need to vote for me.

As your representative, I will work to give you choices. I will work to apply common sense principles to fix the problems facing our state, especially those in healthcare, education and the state economy.

The Health care system is draining our economy. I work in a local emergency room and see a major problem. When a family comes into the Emergency Room for a prescription for children’s Motrin because TennCare will pay for it, the state is paying three times more than for a doctor’s office visit. We have a problem. When a patient with a cold comes into the Emergency Room and says he doesn’t want to wait at the doctor’s office, it costs the state double or triple the doctor’s visit cost. We have a problem. When our elderly have to be admitted to the hospital because they could not get their medications we have a problem. Some people who can get healthcare don’t because of cost. We have a problem. Other people can’t get any healthcare. We have a problem. The federal and state governments must address our healthcare problems. It’s the only way to reduce the cost of TennCare and improve everyone’s quality of life.

The economy is another issue that concerns me. Our state government realized that they were spending more than they were taking in. So the Governor and state Legislature decided to pass on the hard times to over 2,000 state employees. They called it a voluntary lay-off plan. The fact is this emergency is because the state budget has increased 34 percent in six years. Tennessee’s emergency is due to irresponsible spending and poor judgment from our elected officials. I believe that spending on a promissory note is bad business and that voluntary lay-offs are not an answer but a problem. I believe in lowering our taxes and cutting excessive spending out of our state government.

I am a firm believer in choices. It is our right to no longer be suppressed by our elected officials. I believe we need choices in healthcare. I believe we need solid choices in education. No child should be penalized because their parents can not afford private school. We must find answers for failing schools. Our future depends on it. I believe we know what is best for us. Our legislative leaders should stop dictating what they want to allow to come to the floor for a vote. I believe that we should have the right to chose to buy a bottle of wine at the grocery store if we so desire, but our elected officials killed the bill in sub-committee.

I believe in the entire Constitution, not just parts of it. I believe in the right to bear arms, real freedom of speech and most importantly the right to recall an elected official if they are not faithfully fulfilling their sworn duties to represent us.

These are a few of my beliefs. I encourage you to contact me and learn more about my values on family, alternative healthcare solutions, and bringing in more jobs for you.