Roane County Sheriff Jack Stockton wants to take his decades of law enforcement experience to Nashville as a candidate for 32nd District State Representative in the August Republican primary election.
The 32nd District represents Roane and parts of Loudon Counties including Lenoir City. Stockton is running for the seat being vacated by Republican Gubernatorial candidate Monty Fritts.
Stockton has served in law enforcement for 42 years including five consecutive terms as Roane County Sheriff beginning in 2006.
Stockton said he believes his experience with law enforcement issues facing the region can be helpful in the process of making laws that will benefit those in his district.
“I think my background and 27 years work experience as a leader in law enforcement has really prepared me for this,” he said.
Stockton said upholding the Constitution of the State of Tennessee and the United States Constitution is his top priority. He said second amendment issues are very important to him.
Infrastructure development is another big concern, he said. The district is experiencing tremendous growth, especially in the area of nuclear power research.
“I’ve toured these plants. They are expected to create big job opportunities for years to come,” he said.
He said he also wants to help government work with local educational institutions to train more workers for the emerging jobs in the nuclear sector.
The state has already allocated about $100 million for infrastructure improvements. He said he will work to bring additional funding for power and transportation needs related to the new industry.
Stockton said he very concerned about the increased traffic, accidents and shut downs that seem to plague the interstate on an almost daily basis. He said the state needs to put more money toward highways in East Tennessee.
“It seems like West Tennessee was getting more,” he said.
Possible improvements could include longer exit and entrance ramps, a truck lane on hills or even adding an extra lane all the way to the Interstate 40/75 junction.
Social issues including drug addiction and mental health, need to be addressed at the local level.
“The state needs to fund local law enforcement and more prosecutors, it’s the only deterrence drug dealers understand,” he said.
Mental health patients are crowding the jails and not receiving the kind of medical treatment they need. He said he hopes that state will help local communities provide more rural mental health care.
Stockton said one of his highest priorities includes protecting children. He said he has been very involved with the Child Advocacy Center of Loudon County, which serves all of the 9th Judicial District.
“Jack Stockton has been supporting our organization for as long as I can remember,” said Christine Longmire, Executive Director of the CAC. “He’s a huge supporter of children and families and an incredible servant.”
