Jon Henry

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jon Henry

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2020

Military

Years of service

1980 - 2017

Personal

Birthplace

Carthage, Tenn.

Religion

Protestant

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Jon Henry (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Tennessee. He lost in the Republican primary on August 6, 2020.

Henry completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jon Henry was born in Carthage, Tennessee. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1990 to 2017. Henry pursued his undergraduate education at Palomar College and the American Military University and his graduate education at Troy University and the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Elections

2020

See also: United States Senate election in Tennessee, 2020

United States Senate election in Tennessee, 2020 (August 6 Democratic primary)

United States Senate election in Tennessee, 2020 (August 6 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Tennessee

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Tennessee on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Hagerty (R)	62.2	1,840,926
		Marquita Bradshaw (D)	35.2	1,040,691
		Elizabeth McLeod (Independent)	0.6	16,652
		Yomi Faparusi (Independent)	0.4	10,727
	Submit photo	Steven Hooper (Independent)	0.3	9,609
		Kacey Morgan (Independent) (Unofficially withdrew)	0.3	9,598
		Ronnie Henley (Independent)	0.3	8,478
		Aaron James (Independent)	0.2	7,203
		Eric William Stansberry (Independent)	0.2	6,781
		Dean Hill (Independent)	0.2	4,872
		Jeffrey Grunau (Independent)	0.1	4,160
		John Gentry (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	64

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,959,761
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Tom Kovach (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Tennessee

Marquita Bradshaw defeated Robin Kimbrough Hayes, James Mackler, Gary Davis, and Mark Pickrell in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Tennessee on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marquita Bradshaw	35.5	117,962
		Robin Kimbrough Hayes	26.6	88,492
		James Mackler	23.8	78,966
		Gary Davis	9.3	30,758
		Mark Pickrell	4.8	16,045

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 332,223
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Diana Onyejiaka (D)
• Tharon Chandler (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Tennessee

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Tennessee on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Hagerty	50.8	331,267
		Manny Sethi	39.4	257,223
		George Flinn Jr.	3.4	22,454
		Jon Henry	1.2	8,104
		Natisha Brooks	1.2	8,072
		Byron Bush	0.8	5,420
	Submit photo	Clifford Adkins	0.8	5,316
		Terry Dicus	0.3	2,279
		Tom Emerson Jr.	0.3	2,252
		David Schuster	0.3	2,045
	Submit photo	John Osborne	0.3	1,877
		Roy Cope	0.3	1,791
		Kent Morrell	0.3	1,769
		Aaron Pettigrew	0.2	1,622
	Submit photo	Glen Neal	0.2	1,233

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 652,724
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Garrett Nichols (R)
• Johnny Presley (R)
• Larry Crim (R)
• Jim Elkins (R)
• Josh Gapp (R)
• Clyde Benson (R)
• Geoffrey Stokes Nielson (R)

Campaign themes

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released March 29, 2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jon Henry completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Henry's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Jon Henry and I am a strong conservative running for US Senate for the state of Tennessee. I was raised in the small farming community of Riddleton, Tennessee. We learned hard work on the farm. I am proud of my upbringing and it was to my advantage when I joined the Marine Corps at 19 years old. I served in the Marine Corps for 27 years. During my years as an enlisted Marine, I was an adult learner taking college classes at night and on weekends. I earned an Associates, Bachelors, and two Graduate degrees.

I am running for Senate because I believe I bring a wealth of knowledge to the US Senate based on my common sense upbringing, military experience, worldwide service and tireless work ethic. I feel I represent a true Tennessean who loves and has served his country and will bring honor if I am able to represent Tennessee as a US Senator. I look forward to the chance to meet you and hear your concerns and serve you with spirituality, courage and integrity.

Tennessee needs a veteran in the US Senate.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• My top priority is the safety and security of the American people. A US Senator must always be vigilant ensuring policies support that safety. Americans must be protected at all costs from enemies both foreign and domestic.

• Our freedoms should not be compromised; right to defend oneself, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion are but a few rights the government should always protect.

• The government is not a revenue producing entity and therefore every tax dollar taken from Americans' pay in order to operate the US government must be managed in a responsible, thoughtful manner by mature leaders who make policy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a retired Marine Sergeant Major proper foreign policy and the use of our military are forefront in what I believe are characteristics of a strong, responsible democracy. Relatively speaking, we live in a very young country compared to many in the world and our freedom must always be taken seriously. As we have seen repeatedly throughout the course of American history we have had to defend our freedom and protect those too weak to defend their own. It takes men and women who are willing to protect that freedom to stand up and serve. With that, we must take care of our veterans. They have served our country and deserve to be taken care of as they get older. The Veterans Administration needs to be staffed with some of our best and brightest professionals.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jesus Christ, for obvious reasons, and my Dad. My Dad raised my siblings and I going to church and I always remember him being a hard worker. Even today, I look back and admire him for raising us the best way he knew. He has always said, "it's not the money you make, but the money you spend that makes a rich man". He taught me to be responsible with money. Also, I must say I look up to my stepmother because after my Mom left she and father married some years later and she was put in a position that was tough. Seven children and yet she found a way to get a college education which I credit my adult learning from her example.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The bible for timeless philosophical lessons on life. Sun Tzu "Art Of War" (specifically Leadership), Simon Sinek "Leaders Eat Last"

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Unselfishness, humility, courage and inititive. Also, lead by example. Don't ask folks to do something you haven't done yourself.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Self-Discipline, moral courage, honesty, integrity, hard work ethic

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

It is a responsibility to know and stay in touch with those you serve. I have heard so many times folks believe politicians have forgotten who they serve.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That my children are proud of me like I'm proud of my Father.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Vietnam War, I was in grade school the first I remember it being reported on the news.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I worked on the family farm but as a tax-paying citizen, I first worked for the local stockyard for 4 years before joining the Marines.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Mindfullness by Ellen Langer, "Raising Awesome Kids in Troubled Times" Sam and Jeri Laing

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

The Conversation by Hank Williams Jr and Waylon Jennings

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Making the most of the time I have.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The technologies of the future will require US citizens to adapt to ways we must be ready to succeed. Cyber technologies will continue to progress in sophistication and our institutions of higher learning will need to lead.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

In my opinion, the Senate is the firewall between the House of Representatives and the President. After a bill passes in the House, it is imperative Members of the Senate exercise sound judgement, proper research skills and possesses a certain understanding of how history applies to a certain bill.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

The more experience one has in life is the most beneficial quality one can bring to the role of Senator. Being a fellow citizen and understanding constituents priorities and how to solve problems are attributes as important as previous government or political experience. Years of experience, based on a number of examples in history, can create an infallible mindset in some leaders that the common man may see as out of touch with constituents.

What do you think of the filibuster?

Only use as a last resort and then only when one knows the delay will change the final vote count. Not simply because the minority does not have a supermajority.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

Validated experience in the area to which one is appointed. When appointed by the President that person should be the best in that area of expertise.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other senators?

Yes, of course. The human dynamic is complex and we all come from different cultures but that should not stop civil discourse. Things are not always personal when we disagree, as a Senator its professional when we disagree. That is part of building mature, professional relationships.

If you are not a current senator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, Armed Services Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Tennessee's second Senator, Andrew Jackson and more recently Senator Bill Frisk.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2020 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

Coronavirus Weekly Updates Documenting America's Path to Recovery The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Tennessee's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Marsha Blackburn (R)

Bill Hagerty (R)

Representatives

District 1

Diana Harshbarger (R)

District 2

Tim Burchett (R)

District 3

Charles Fleischmann (R)

District 4

Scott DesJarlais (R)

District 5

Andy Ogles (R)

District 6

John Rose (R)

District 7

Vacant

District 8

David Kustoff (R)

District 9

Steve Cohen (D)

Republican Party (9)

Democratic Party (1)

Vacancies (1)