Image Credit: Activate Hamilton
Press Release –
HAMILTON COUNTY, TN — Activate Hamilton, a conservative advocacy organization based in Hamilton County, Tennessee, has announced its endorsement of James B. Walker for Hamilton County School Board District 9.
Walker will face incumbent Gary Kuehn in the Republican primary on May 5, with early voting beginning April 15.
District 9 encompasses the Harrison and Birchwood communities of eastern Hamilton County and includes Brown Middle School, Central High School, Harrison Bay Future Ready Institute, Harrison Elementary, Hunter Middle School, Snow Hill Elementary, and Wallace A. Smith Elementary.
“Activate Hamilton exists to identify and support constitutionally conservative candidates in Hamilton County who champion liberty and limited government,” said the organization. “James Walker meets the standard we look for in an endorsed candidate — someone who fears God, understands and espouses the U.S. and Tennessee Constitutions, is willing to answer tough questions, and has a track record of making good decisions.”
Walker, who was appointed to the Hamilton County School Board in August 2021 by the Hamilton County Commission to fill a vacancy, is running on a three-pillar platform focused on parental transparency, fiscal responsibility, and school safety.
On the issue of transparency, Walker believes parents should feel welcomed and encouraged to be actively involved in their children’s education. He has called for a culture shift within Hamilton County Department of Education (HCDE) that prioritizes openness and communication with families.
Walker has also taken aim at what he views as misallocated spending within the district’s central office. He points out that while HCDE’s central office accounts for only 8% of the total workforce, that group consumes over 30% of the district’s total payroll. Walker argues that more payroll dollars should be directed toward teachers and student-facing employees who have the most direct impact on student outcomes.
On safety and discipline, Walker has emphasized that while schools have made progress protecting students from external threats, more must be done to address internal disruptions caused by violent students. He advocates for consistent and equitable discipline policies, arguing that students who pose a safety threat or are a deterrent to classroom effectiveness should be removed from the school environment.
The May 5 primary will be a rematch of the 2022 contest in which Walker narrowly lost to Kuehn. The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Jordan Hammond in the August 6 general election.
Activate Hamilton was founded in October 2025 with a mission to unify, organize, and activate conservatives in Hamilton County. The organization endorses candidates, creates awareness of legislation affecting conservative values, and calls upon citizens to hold elected leaders accountable. For more information, visit activatehamilton.com or email activatehamilton@gmail.com.
