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The Tennessee Conservative [ By Olivia Lupia] –
In the penultimate installment of our survey series, the TN-7 candidates pay homage to the documents that built our nation and expound on their views regarding state sovereignty.
*Note: All 11 qualified Republican candidates were afforded the opportunity to participate in the survey, only 4 completed the questionnaire. Each candidate was asked the same questions, and their responses are presented verbatim. Candidate responses are in the same order in which their names will appear on the ballot.
What impacts you the most about the substance of each document: the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Federalist Papers?
Jody Barrett: The Declaration of Independence acknowledges that we “are endowed by [our] Creator with certain inalienable Rights,” and this truth, that our rights are God-given, and my faith in our Creator, informs all aspects of my life.
The Federalist Papers, No. 49, recognized “the people are the only legitimate fountain of power,” and this truth, that government exists to serve the people, not establishment politicians, guided me in the Tennessee legislature earning a 100% conservative voting record.
The 10th Amendment of the Constitution provides that powers not delegated to the federal government “are reserved to the States respectively, or the people,” and I will continue to fighting for conservative values, limited government, and against overreach by Washington politicians.
Another truth, even as special interest groups and establishment politicians attack our grassroots movement, is that I will never stop fighting for you and our conservative Tennessee values.
Gino Bulso: Our founders unabashedly built our nation upon a belief in Almighty God. They understood that rights flow directly from God to the people, not through an intermediary king. Jefferson wrote that all men were created (not born) equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Indeed, the very first right secured in the Bill of Rights is freedom of religion: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” In his Farewell Address to the American People, George Washington reaffirmed our nation’s dependence upon Almighty God, writing that “religion and morality are indispensable supports” of our political prosperity. And in Federal No. 51, James Madison famously observed, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary,” recognizing that men (unlike their Creator) are by nature imperfect. Today, the left seeks to banish religion and morality from our nation, and by doing so ignores its Providential foundation.
Stewart Parks: Each of our founding documents represent the resolve of the men who knew that the American experiment was worth staking their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Unfortunately, the radical left wants to remake these documents into something they were never intended to be, and to remove the boundaries our Founders set in order to create and maintain our American system of government. The greatest impact of these documents is easily their longevity – they’ve stood the test of time and proven the Founders right.
Tres Wittum: The Declaration of Independence impacts me most because it reminds us that our rights come from God, not government. That truth is the bedrock of freedom.
The U.S. Constitution impacts me because it limits government and empowers “We the People.” It’s not just a document—it’s the rulebook that keeps Washington in check and protects liberty for every American.
The Federalist Papers impact me because they explain the “why” behind the Constitution. They show the wisdom of our Founders, who debated and warned us about the dangers of too much power in too few hands.
Each of these documents calls us to be vigilant, to guard freedom, and to hold leaders accountable. For me, they are not history—they are a daily reminder that it’s our job to preserve liberty for our kids and grandkids.
What are your thoughts on Federalism- are the states or federal government supreme?
Jody Barrett: The Founders designed a system where the federal government is limited, and the states retain sovereignty over most issues. The Tenth Amendment is crystal clear: powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people. Washington bureaucrats and activist judges have tried to flip that balance, but they are wrong. Until President Trump came along, no one fought back. The states and citizens are supreme. The Lord gave us our values and rights, we offer some of them for regulation by the state. And that foundational premise will guide how I legislate.
Gino Bulso: The Constitution is clear: the federal government is one of limited, enumerated powers, while sovereignty rests with the states and the people. Yet Washington acts as if it were supreme, imposing its will upon families, schools, and businesses. That is not liberty—it is tyranny by bureaucracy. True federalism recognizes that local self-government best preserves freedom. Tennessee should govern Tennessee, not unelected officials in Washington. In Congress, I will work tirelessly to restore that balance, ensuring the federal government serves its proper role and no more, while protecting the God-given rights reserved to the states and to the people.
Stewart Parks: I am a firm believer in states’ rights, and I’m glad the Founders agreed. Tennessee has asserted its authority by protecting life, giving parents choice in the education of their children, and blocking dangerous woke experiments to give puberty-blocking drugs to children.
Tres Wittum: The Constitution is clear — states created the federal government, not the other way around. Federalism means Washington should have limited powers, and the states should be the true voice of the people. That’s why I’ve called to repeal the 17th Amendment—because our states have lost their seat at the table. When states are strong, families, farmers, and communities thrive. When Washington grabs power, freedom shrinks. I’ll fight to restore the balance our Founders intended—where the federal government serves the states, not rules over them.
Read the third installment HERE where the candidates offer their top priorities should they be sent to Washington D.C. and give their preferences for committee assignments they’d like once there.
Read the second installment HERE where the candidates address election integrity and their faith lives.
Read the first installment HERE where the candidates questions on tackling Illegal Immigration & Fighting For Tennessee In D.C.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
3 Responses
Thanx! Go Jody!
Once again, Gino Bulso proves with these ‘concise and direct’ answers to these “Constitutional” question that he is, indeed, head and shoulders above any other elected politician in the State of Tennessee. All these four men would be solid representatives of the people of the 7th Congressional District. They’d all serve with distinction, and, all of them will likely beat the best Democrat in the general! But, if one is looking for the man with an “edge”….remember this, when they get up to DC, they are going to need so much more than a strong voice representing the GOP ideals of Less Government, Less Regulation and Less Taxes. The winner is going to need a keen KNOWLEDGE of the U.S. Constitution. And, Gino Bulso is that man. He has taken on Williamson County Schools, an 800 pound gorilla, and won BIG in the top court of Tennessee! Who else can claim such a victory? Gino Bulso has taken on WCS, who heretofore has bludgeoned it’s way around common sense and SELDOM been held accountable, he won that battle and he’ll likely win a huge second victory, very shorty. He has no fear and will represent us in Washington, DC with distinction and honor. Vote BULSO for congress, if you’d like a fearless, congressman who’ll fight another 800 pound gorilla……..that is Washington, DC.
Gino may be a good litigator. This job (U.S. Representative) requires a different skill set. The ability for one to hold on to their conservative/small government values when the rubber meets the road. Gino caved on the most important vote this last year, and showed he will take a wrong position if the heat is too high. School Choice. The governor and legislative leaders pushed through a Koch (i.e. RINO) bill that if offered to all parents who want school choice, would bankrupt the state. Gino went along voting to give every teacher in the state a $5000 bonus this year (gee, can you say “bribe”) with our tax dollars, AND, more importantly, voted to pay both the public school when the student chooses to leave AS WELL AS the new (usually private) school the student moves to. That is why the bill limited the number of children who could use the choice. So, unlike Jody Barrett, who has been mercilessly lied about for “opposing” school choice, Gino went with the sell-out status quo to avoid the pounding he might otherwise have received. Tennessee voters, once they understand that school choice here (unlike FL) PAYS FOR EVERY CHOOSING STUDENT TWICE (PAYMENTS CONTINUE TO THE PUBLC SCHOOL AND ALSO TO THE NEW PRIVATE SCHOOL THE STUDENT MOVES TO). That is why Jody Barrett got the only 100% conservative rating in TN State history: he put the taxpayers and financial health of the state ahead of the misleading school choice/voucher bill. I believe this distinction between Jody and Gino shows who has stood in the fire, rather than cave when expedient. Jody is a true fiscal conservative, Gino is not. Track records speak louder than campaign promises.