State Legislator to Share ‘Special Story’ with Student Government Officers

By Dr. Bill Kraus

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

SMYRNA, Tenn. -- The officers and members of Student Government on the Motlow Smyrna campus will have a special luncheon and meeting with newly elected Tennessee State Rep. Sam Whitson on Oct. 30 (Monday) to "have a conversation" about how and why he decided to become involved in the political process.

Whitson has a most interesting story to share with Motlow’s college "legislators.” He is expected to encourage most, if not all, to become involved in the political process as they individually progress into the future. The lunch/talk will occur at Famous Dave's in Smyrna starting at 12:30 p.m

 

 

Whitson retired from the U.S. Army with the rank of colonel after serving for 26 years in the service. In early 2016, he and other citizens learned that their incumbent state representative was accused of sexually harassing young women who either worked at the Tennessee State Capitol or served as interns.

 Whitson became increasingly concerned as the news media carried more and more negative news stories about his representative. The Williamson County resident decided to "not get mad... just make it well." Facing great odds, Whitson decided to run against the incumbent legislator in the same political party. He went house-to-house, introducing himself and campaigning on the premise that "we in Williamson County can do much, much better in our political representation."

Charges against Whitson’s representative grew in the ensuing months, prompting the Tennessee State Legislature to censure him and the state attorney general to open an investigation. A few weeks later, the incumbent legislator decided not to run for re-election, opening the door for Whitson to win his party's nomination. He won an election victory last November with 72 percent of the vote, the largest plurality of any candidate throughout the State of Tennessee.

         "This is a remarkable example of not just complaining about what may be happening within the political world,” said Dr. Bill Kraus, who serves as a Student Government adviser with professors Nicole Speelman and Stacy Dowd. “It demonstrates a wonderful way to get involved to successfully solve a problem. Rep. Whitson is a fantastic example for our school's student leadership."