Kimi Abernathy

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

Kimi Abernathy

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

August 6, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Religion

Episcopalian

Contact

Campaign website

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Kimi Abernathy (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Tennessee State Senate to represent District 20. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 6, 2020.

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

Biography

Kimi Abernathy was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She obtained an undergraduate degree after attending Northwestern University and Middle Tennessee State University. She obtained certification in college counseling from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her professional experience includes working in education. She is affiliated with the Southern Association for College Admissions Counseling.

Elections

2020

See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Tennessee State Senate District 20

Heidi Campbell defeated incumbent Steven Dickerson in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 20 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Heidi Campbell (D)	51.8	58,746
		Steven Dickerson (R)	48.2	54,755

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 113,501
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 20

Heidi Campbell defeated Kimi Abernathy in the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 20 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Heidi Campbell	51.4	13,441
		Kimi Abernathy	48.6	12,723

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,164 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 20

Incumbent Steven Dickerson advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee State Senate District 20 on August 6, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Dickerson	100.0	14,345

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,345
= 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.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Kimi Abernathy has spent her life working for children: her children, her students, other parents, young people in foster care, children with drug issues, students with special needs, young people who have experienced trauma. She is a mother, a wife, an Army spouse, an educator, an active member of her community and committed to Tennessee families. Kimi Abernathy is the Democratic candidate for Tennessee Senate in District 20. Learn more here: https://www.kimi4tnsenate.com/about

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?

• Medicaid Expansion: Like the overwhelming majority of Tennesseans from both parties, I support Medicaid expansion. I have lived in rural, suburban and urban areas and have seen first hand what the lack of medical services does to a family, to entire communities and to our economy. I have experienced the toll the opioid crisis is taking on people we love. Watching my Godson die of an overdose was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Watching his parents and siblings live with the after effects has been excruciating. Medicaid expansion is part and parcel with addressing this crisis.
• Public Schools: I have worked in public and independent schools. I am the product of public schools, and my children have attended both. Again, like the overwhelming majority of Tennesseans of both parties, I support our public schools and believe strongly in equitable funding.
• Clean air and water: Tennessee's natural resources and beauty are among the most spectacular in the nation. Beyond our enjoyment, however, I want to make sure we have clean water flowing from our taps, clean air to breathe and towns that allow healthy living.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The Tennessee Senate is currently governed by a super majority of Republicans. They do not have to, and indeed have not, allowed a voice to the minority. Consequently, no effort is made to be moderate. When I was growing up, Tennessee was a place with well-balanced governance. We are a moderate state. We need that balance again. I intend to be part of the solution that brings Tennessee back to a place of moderation and sensible government. As Democrats, we are all part of the effort to flip our legislature whether you are in District 20 or not.

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

Ethical, hardworking, accessible, resourceful

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

Integrity, Committed to Families and Children, Tenacity, Empathy

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave Tennessee a better place for children to grow and thrive.

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

All tied together are the events of the early 1960's. I remember my mother crying when JFK was assassinated, the Civil Rights March in D.C. and Martin Luther King's I Have a Dream speech, the growing anti-Vietnam sentiment, my school's integration, the Apollo moon landing, the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, My Lai Massacre, returning veterans, Watergate. These are the events that shaped my childhood and my political passions. It was a volatile time but a time of great hope, growth and change in America. One I pray we are seeing today.

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

I taught Red Cross swimming at the public pool in Murfreesboro, TN for the city recreation department. I taught every summer for many years. My students were 4 -8. This is when I learned I wanted to work with and help children.

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

Often, no. In fact, it can lead to cynicism and a self-serving agenda.

What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?

Healthcare for all Tennesseans, equitably funding education and job creation with jobs that provide a living wage.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. It is important to return to a legislative body that is willing to listen, learn and work with one another.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Independent, non-partisan committee

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

Education, Health and Welfare, Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Safety

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Having lost my Godson in the same way, I am touched by the families who talk to me about losing a son or daughter to the opioid epidemic. Without expanding Medicaid , we will not stem the tide of overdose deaths.

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

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Footnotes

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Current members of the Tennessee State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Randy McNally

Minority Leader:Raumesh Akbari

Senators

District 1

J. Lowe (R)

District 2

Tom Hatcher (R)

District 3

Rusty Crowe (R)

District 4

Bobby Harshbarger (R)

District 5

Randy McNally (R)

District 6

Becky Massey (R)

District 7

Richard Briggs (R)

District 8

Jessie Seal (R)

District 9

Steve Southerland (R)

District 10

Todd Gardenhire (R)

District 11

Bo Watson (R)

District 12

Ken Yager (R)

District 13

Dawn White (R)

District 14

Shane Reeves (R)

District 15

Paul Bailey (R)

District 16

Janice Bowling (R)

District 17

Mark Pody (R)

District 18

Ferrell Haile (R)

District 19

Charlane Oliver (D)

District 20

Heidi Campbell (D)

District 21

Jeff Yarbro (D)

District 22

Bill Powers (R)

District 23

Kerry Roberts (R)

District 24

John Stevens (R)

District 25

Ed Jackson (R)

District 26

Page Walley (R)

District 27

Jack Johnson (R)

District 28

Joey Hensley (R)

District 29

Raumesh Akbari (D)

District 30

Sara Kyle (D)

District 31

Brent Taylor (R)

District 32

Paul Rose (R)

District 33

London Lamar (D)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (6)