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Patricia Possel

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Patricia Possel
Image of Patricia Possel
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 3, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Wright State University, 1988

Personal
Religion
Catholic
Profession
Photographer
Contact

Patricia Possel (Republican Party) ran for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 96. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

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

Biography

Possel earned a bachelor's degree in education from Wright State University in 1988. Her career experience includes working as a professional photographer, educator, and tutor. Her organizational affiliations have included the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the Cordova Leadership Council, the Shelby County Republican Party, and Ducks Unlimited.[1][2][3]

Elections

2020

See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96

Incumbent Dwayne Thompson defeated Patricia Possel in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Dwayne Thompson
Dwayne Thompson (D)
 
59.2
 
19,613
Image of Patricia Possel
Patricia Possel (R) Candidate Connection
 
40.8
 
13,491

Total votes: 33,104
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96

Incumbent Dwayne Thompson advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on August 6, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Dwayne Thompson
Dwayne Thompson
 
100.0
 
6,039

Total votes: 6,039
Candidate Connection = 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 House of Representatives District 96

Patricia Possel advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on August 6, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Patricia Possel
Patricia Possel Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
4,093

Total votes: 4,093
Candidate Connection = 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.

2018

See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

Incumbent Dwayne Thompson defeated Scott McCormick in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on November 6, 2018.

General election

General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Dwayne Thompson
Dwayne Thompson (D)
 
57.4
 
14,829
Image of Scott McCormick
Scott McCormick (R)
 
42.6
 
11,007

Total votes: 25,836
Candidate Connection = 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.

Democratic primary election

Incumbent Dwayne Thompson advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on August 2, 2018.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Dwayne Thompson
Dwayne Thompson
 
100.0
 
6,075

Total votes: 6,075
Candidate Connection = 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

Scott McCormick defeated Patricia Possel in the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96 on August 2, 2018.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 96

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott McCormick
Scott McCormick
 
61.6
 
3,973
Image of Patricia Possel
Patricia Possel Candidate Connection
 
38.4
 
2,474

Total votes: 6,447
Candidate Connection = 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

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Hello,

I am Patricia Possel. I am a professional photographer with a passion for performance. I have earned a B.S. in Education from Wright State University. I am married to Bob for more than 38 years. We had 3 chidlren and now we have two grandchildren. I am a community volunteer and have been throughout my life. I believe in our suburban way of life and when I am elected I will fight to retain this way of life, stop urban sprawl and defend citizens' rights.

Go to PatriciaPosselforTN.org to learn more.
  • Protect Suburban Way of Life
  • Support fully funding education
  • Support Votech and Skill Training Courses in high school
The public policy areas that I am most passionate about is two fold. First, a strong educational system is a must for any community. We need to improve the Shelby County Schools. We rank at the bottom in the state of TN. Education is the key to a bright future for all of our young residents. Secondly, I am passionate about property rights. Every American has the right to own land and has the rights to approve their governance. We need to protect property rights.
I look up to my parents. My mother broke the "glass ceiling" being the first female to hold a V.P. position at a savings and loan company. I look to my father for his devotion to our Lord and his volunterism.
My political philosophy is simple. Listen to the people. Understand what the bill is enacting. Make sure that each bill will have a positive impact on the residents of District 96.
The most important aspect of a public servant is to remember you are there to serve the needs of the citizens of your district.
The qualities that will make me a successful officeholder are: 1) I listen; 2) I plan; 3) I have endurance; 4) I am patient; 5) I pay attention to details; 6) I believe Residents First
The core responsibility of this office is to make sure each bill will have a positive impact on the residents of District 96.
I would like a legacy of being known as a public servant who looked out for the common good of the residents of District 96.
Mabley and Crew Department Store.

Floor Sales
Christmas, seasonal

I was 16 years old
I struggled to over come the pain of having a child be a victim of violent crime.
The difference between the TN senate and TN house is the amount of vetting each bill receives. The house has more members and therefore more committees. There are more people with a variety of backgrounds honing each bill.
No. It is better to rotate professional and hard working people in and out of public offices to have different kinds of perspectives.
The greatest challenge facing TN will be over-coming the adverse effects of Covid-19.
There should always be a little friction between branches of government. It is with friction, we move forward.
Yes, it is beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Politics is a team sport.
Drawing nice and neat boxes with utter disregard of who lives there.
No one person is perfect. Our better self is never achieved. We all must work everyday of our lives to be better, kinder, smarter, more giving and sweeter.
I like hearing stories of people's lives. I am impressed with those who have battle disease and have over-come the pain and went on to offer help to other. Often, these kinds of people kept a positive attitudes in the mist of suffering and never gave up trying to do for others.

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.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Patricia Possel participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on July 26, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Patricia Possel's responses follow below.[4]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

1) Property Rights for all citizens
2) Revamping TN Ready
3) Fiscally conservative on budget items[5][6]

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

I believe that all citizens have the right to vote on their governance. This is a fundamental foundation to our republic. While the electorate have been trusting government officials, they have been stripped of some of their rights. It is time to return the balance between the three branches of government and the people.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[6]

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Patricia Possel answered the following:

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

I look up to Representative Mike Carter. The reason is because he is a just man who fights for the people. He has experience in the legislative branch as well as the judicial branch of state government. I believe he is an excellent example of a public servant.[6]
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
If you want to understand my political philosophy, please read the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Tennessee and Chapter 1101, the law on annexation.[6]
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important characteristic of an elected official is honesty and clarity in communication of the facts.[6]
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
I believe I have the qualities to make an excellent public servant because I have been serving the citizens of Cordova for the past six years in that I have been educating myself in the law, in meeting and greeting with current elected officials and I have been leading by example. I have been communicating with the people through Cordova Voice and the citizens appreciate someone who is willing to not just talk, but to actively advocate on their behalf.[6]
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
The core responsibility to this position is to read and be ready to support or defend a position for a quality bill to be passed. The largest part of that responsibility is to read the bill before supporting or denying support of the bill.[6]
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave a legacy of a reputation of someone who worked for the people first and always.[6]
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
The first historical event that I can recall is the launching of Apollo 14 and the first men walking on the moon.[6]
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was to sell apples to my neighbors who lives in a subdivision that was adjacent to our family farm. I was in the first grade and we sold apples every summer until we moved from the farm at the end of summer when I entered fourth grade.[6]
What happened on your most awkward date?
On my most awkward date, I got sick to my stomach when I had a bad reaction to asian food. I did not know I had a food allergy. I very quickly got sick and when we left the restaurant I did not make five steps until I vomited. I was totally embarrassed and it was a first date with that young man.[6]
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
My favorite holiday is Halloween. I love halloween because the children are always happy and it is festive without the stress of some of the other holidays.[6]
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite book is Gone with the Wind because it so descriptive of the South before and after the civil war. The story is romantic and dramatic and fun to read.[6]
If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
If I could be a fictional character I would be Peppermint Patty from the Peanuts. Peppermint Patty was always supportive of Charlie Brown and a true friend.[6]
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite thing in my home is the pictures of my children/family through their lives. The pictures are precious to me because they tell the story of our lives, which brings fond memories and a smile to my heart.[6]
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The last song to get stuck in my head is God Bless America.[6]
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
A struggle in my life is having sensitive skin. I burn easy and my eye lids have issues with clogging oil glands, which leads to eye irritation.[6]
(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
One of the most important difference between the two houses in the state of TN is that senators can sponsor as many bills as they wish and house members can only sponsor 15 bills per session. This difference makes one who seeks a house seat to be mindful of which bills need to be the top 15 priorities.[6]
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
There are pros and cons to being in politics prior to holding a public office. Those that are inexperience in politics may bring strong business and educational experiences, which can help to write, to support and to pass great legislation. The disadvantage is sometimes they can be more pragmatic and less diplomatic. Those with political experience may be diplomatic but not pragmatic.[6]
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
The state's greatest challenge over the decade will be how to handle the rapid growth in middle TN.[6]
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
The ideal relationship between the legislators and the governor is one of mutual respect and cooperation.[6]
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
It is essential to build relationships with other legislators. The key to getting the job accomplish includes working with everyone else in both houses.[6]
What process do you favor for redistricting?
The process for redistricting that I favor is someone who is objective and simply draws boxes that makes the area as square as possible geographically.[6]
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I will be happy serving on any committee assigned.[6]
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I will be new to the legislature.[6]
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I would like to model myself after Rep. Mike Carter.[6]
Are you interested in running for a different political office in the future?
I am focused on serving my community and I am focused on doing a good job in this position.[6]
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?
I have heard many stories from many people. Most of the stories revolve around the egregious annexation by the city of Memphis and the impact it has had on the lives of the Vets and disabled. The reduction in community benefits have adversely impacted these group more than any other group. These stories hurt my heart and give me the drive to make a positive change in the community.[6]

Ballotpedia biographical submission form

The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:

What is your political philosophy?

There should be a balance of power between the three branches of government and the PEOPLE. All legislation should focus one enhancing the community, but always be in balance with the residents.

The position to represent the citizens of the 96th District of TN House of Representatives is very important. When elected, Patricia Possel will fulfill the job to serve the people by making sure the supported legislation will empower, will aid and will build the 96th, so that the lives of the citizens are enhanced.

While serving the citizens, Patricia Possel is committed to upholding both the constitution of the United States and the constitution of TN. Patricia Possel is committed to ensuring that all supported legislation is in balance between the three branches of state government and the PEOPLE. This principal has been neglected in the past and it needs to be reinstated. The example that most will recall is when municipalities over-reached and egregiously annexed areas outside of the elected jurisdiction. This must be corrected and the people must be empowered.

Patricia Possel has chosen to run for office because there is a need to serve the people of the 96th so that their voices can be heard, clearly. The lack of leadership for the past two years has led to negate of the Cordova community, which is more than 80% of the geographic land mass of the 96th district. It is time to elect a person that understands TN Ready, although well intended, the program needs to be over-hauled. Patricia Possel's experience in the classroom can bring a more pragmatic approach to ensuring the students are being educated to their fullest potential. It is time to elect Patricia Possel because she will serve the citizens. It is time to elect Patricia Possel because she is committed to enhancing the community with great policies. It is time to elect Patricia Possel, who by her community activism for the past six years has proven that she is the strongest, she is the most determined and she has the skill set to do the job efficiently and effectively.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I have been a community activist and have led the charge for empowering the people on property rights, since 2012. All people should be equal with elected officials. I am committed to having an open door policy, where the citizens may make office hour appointments, so that they can express their thoughts, concerns and needs.[6]

—Patricia Possel[7]

See also


External links


Footnotes

  1. Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on July 25, 2018
  2. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 14, 2020
  3. Patricia Possel for Tennessee, "About Patti Possel," accessed July 20, 2020
  4. Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  5. Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Patricia Possel's responses," July 26, 2018
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 6.19 6.20 6.21 6.22 6.23 6.24 6.25 6.26 6.27 6.28 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  7. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bio


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