Mae Beavers

Mae Beavers (born December 11, 1947 in Millport, Alabama) is a Tennessee Republican politician and a member of the Tennessee Senate for the 17th district, which is composed of Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, and Wilson counties. She has served as a state senator since the 103rd General Assembly, and as a state representative in the 99th through the 102nd General Assemblies.

Political work

Mae Beavers has represented the citizens on the Wilson County Commission (1990–1994), in the State House of Representatives (1994–2002), and in the State Senate (2002–present). Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Senate Ron Ramsey credited her first election to the State Senate as the beginning of the conversion of the suburbs of Nashville from Democratic allegiance to Republican allegiance.[1] Former Democratic State Senator Bob Rochelle attempted to re-claim his seat and ran against Beavers in the 2006 general election, yet Beavers prevailed with approximately 58% of the vote. In 2010, Beavers defeated her long-time political rival, State Representative Susan Lynn, in the 2010 Republican primary, and easily defeated Democrat George McDonald with approximately 63% of the vote in the general election.[2][3] Beavers is currently running for re-election to her fourth term to the State Senate.

Beavers is the 1st Vice Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and the Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.[4] She also served as six years as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is the former Treasurer of the Senate Republican Caucus. She was the Republican Assistant Floor Leader during the 103rd General Assembly, and the House Republican Caucus Secretary in the 100th through the 102nd General Assemblies.

In 2014, Beavers was rated by the Sunlight Foundation as the second-most conservative state senator in Tennessee, and the sixth-most effective state senator in terms of successfully sponsoring and passing legislation.[5] She also leads the Wilson County Conservatives.[6]

Stand on issues

Beavers is "solidly" pro-life, a pro-Second Amendment activist, a supporter of lower government spending and the abolition of state income taxation, and a proponent of tougher laws and measures against illegal immigrants.[7] Beavers as well as current congressmen and former state legislators Marsha Blackburn and Diane Black were known as the "Angry B's" during the Tennessee income tax debate, and were credited with helping stop the passage of a state income tax. Beavers also strongly opposed the 2010 health care reform legislation proposals, sponsoring instead the Tennessee Health Freedom Act in order to protect "a citizen’s right to participate, or not participate, in any healthcare system".[8][9]

Personal life

Beavers graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and is a retired former business woman and court reporter. She is a mother and grandmother, living north of Mt. Juliet with her husband. Beavers is a member of the National Rifle Association and a lifetime member of the Tennessee Firearms Association.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Campbell, Sandy (2010-03-29). "Ramsey says Republican revolution in Middle Tenn. started in Wilson County". The Lebanon Democrat. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  2. ↑ http://www.tn.gov/sos/election/results.htm
  3. ↑ http://www.mtjulietnews.com/article/mjnnews/135891
  4. ↑ http://www.maebeavers.com/why-mae.html
  5. ↑ http://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2014/06/11/how-partisan-are-your-states-legislators/
  6. ↑ Lind, JR (2010-11-18). "Wasn't us". Nashville Post. SouthComm. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  7. ↑ "Issues". official website. Mae Beavers. Retrieved 2011-07-18.
  8. ↑ "Senator Beavers Applauds Federal Court Ruling Declaring New Healthcare Law Unconstitutional". official website. Mae Beavers. 2011-01-31. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  9. ↑ Swann, Lesley. "Tennessee Health Freedom Act Passes Senate". Tennessee Tenth Amendment Center. Retrieved 2011-07-19.
  10. ↑ http://www.maebeavers.com/about-mae.html

External links

Tennessee Senate
Preceded by
Robert Rochelle		 Member of the Tennessee Senate from District 17
2002–present 		Incumbent