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Rueben Dockery
Rueben Dockery (independent) ran for election to the Tennessee House of Representatives to represent District 53. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Dockery completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Dockery holds an associate degree in divinity studies from National College in Chicago, a bachelor's degree in history from Fisk University and a master's degree in education (leadership/supervision) from Trevecca Nazarene University. He was also a Ph.D. candidate for K-12 education at Walden University in Minneapolis, Minn. His professional experience includes serving as a pastor at Beythel Family Church and Mount Sinai Cumberland Presbyterian Church, founding the nonprofit organization Building Families & Communities (BFC) Missions Incorporated and working as a special education teacher in Nashville.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 53
Incumbent Jason Powell defeated Yog Nepal and Rueben Dockery in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 53 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jason Powell (D) | 62.5 | 14,004 |
 | Yog Nepal (R)  | 33.4 | 7,494 | |
 | Rueben Dockery (Independent) | 4.1 | 921 | |
| Total votes: 22,419 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 53
Incumbent Jason Powell advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 53 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jason Powell | 100.0 | 2,847 |
| Total votes: 2,847 | |||
| = 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 53
Yog Nepal advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 53 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Yog Nepal | 100.0 | 1,161 |
| Total votes: 1,161 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dockery in this election.
2022
See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Tennessee State Senate District 21
Incumbent Jeff Yarbro defeated Rueben Dockery in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 21 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jeff Yarbro (D) | 76.7 | 33,061 |
| Rueben Dockery (Independent) | 23.3 | 10,038 | |
| Total votes: 43,099 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 21
Incumbent Jeff Yarbro advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 21 on August 4, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeff Yarbro | 100.0 | 11,496 |
| Total votes: 11,496 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2019
See also: City elections in Nashville, Tennessee (2019)
General runoff election
General runoff election for Nashville Metro Council At large (5 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general runoff election for Nashville Metro Council At large on September 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sharon Hurt (Nonpartisan) | 15.3 | 40,332 |
| ✔ |  | Burkley Allen (Nonpartisan) | 13.2 | 34,754 |
| ✔ |  | Steve Glover (Nonpartisan) | 13.1 | 34,408 |
| ✔ |  | Zulfat Suara (Nonpartisan) | 13.0 | 34,271 |
 | Sheri Weiner (Nonpartisan) | 12.6 | 33,108 | |
 | Howard Jones (Nonpartisan) | 11.5 | 30,201 | |
 | Fabian Bedne (Nonpartisan) | 11.3 | 29,840 | |
| Gary Moore (Nonpartisan) | 9.6 | 25,264 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 1,414 | ||
| Total votes: 263,592 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
General election
General election for Nashville Metro Council At large (5 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Nashville Metro Council At large on August 1, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Bob Mendes (Nonpartisan) | 10.9 | 37,476 |
| ✔ | | Zulfat Suara (Nonpartisan) | 9.3 | 31,953 |
| ✔ | | Sharon Hurt (Nonpartisan) | 9.2 | 31,731 |
| ✔ | | Sheri Weiner (Nonpartisan) | 9.2 | 31,672 |
| ✔ | | Burkley Allen (Nonpartisan) | 8.9 | 30,722 |
| ✔ | | Fabian Bedne (Nonpartisan) | 7.3 | 25,001 |
| ✔ | | Howard Jones (Nonpartisan) | 7.2 | 24,828 |
| ✔ | | Steve Glover (Nonpartisan) | 7.0 | 23,929 |
| ✔ | Gary Moore (Nonpartisan) | 6.1 | 20,843 | |
| Gicola Lane (Nonpartisan) | 5.9 | 20,243 | ||
 | Adam Dread (Nonpartisan) | 5.7 | 19,741 | |
| Michael Craddock (Nonpartisan) | 4.7 | 16,130 | ||
| James Dillard (Nonpartisan) | 4.1 | 14,085 | ||
| Matthew DelRossi (Nonpartisan) | 2.4 | 8,116 | ||
| Rueben Dockery (Nonpartisan) | 1.6 | 5,425 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.5 | 1,618 | ||
| Total votes: 343,513 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Note: Incumbent Bob Mendes was elected outright in the general election on August 1, 2019, and did not advance to the general runoff election. Mendes' eight runners-up advanced to a general runoff election on September 12, 2019.[2]
2018
See also: Tennessee State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Tennessee State Senate District 19
Brenda Gilmore defeated Christina Callaway and Rueben Dockery in the general election for Tennessee State Senate District 19 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brenda Gilmore (D) | 85.8 | 49,586 |
 | Christina Callaway (Independent) | 10.8 | 6,271 | |
| Rueben Dockery (Independent) | 3.3 | 1,926 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 57,802 | |||
| = 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 State Senate District 19
Brenda Gilmore defeated Howard Jones, Sandra Moore, and George Thomas in the Democratic primary for Tennessee State Senate District 19 on August 2, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brenda Gilmore | 64.7 | 13,885 |
| Howard Jones | 24.5 | 5,262 | |
 | Sandra Moore | 5.5 | 1,181 | |
 | George Thomas | 5.3 | 1,132 | |
| Total votes: 21,460 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2015
The city of Nashville, Tennessee, held nonpartisan elections for mayor and metro council on August 6, 2015. A runoff election took place on September 10, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates who wished to run in this election was May 21, 2015. All 41 metro council seats—including the office of vice mayor—were up for election. In District 1, candidates included Sylvester Armor, Ruby Baker, Rueben Dockery, Loniel Greene, Jr., Nick Leonardo, Lethia Mann, John H. Montgomery, Jonathan Richardson and Roosevelt Williamson. Leonardo and Green advanced to the runoff election.[3] Greene defeated Leonardo in the runoff election.[4] Incumbent Lonnell Matthews, Jr. was term-limited. He ran for election to an at-large seat.[5]
| Nashville City Council District 1 Runoff Election, 2015 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
 Loniel Greene, Jr. |
50.4% | 2,064 | |
| Nick Leonardo | 49.5% | 2,027 | |
| Write-in | 0.2% | 8 | |
| Total Votes | 4,099 | ||
| Source: City of Nashville Election Commission, "Official runoff election results," accessed October 2, 2015 | |||
| Nashville City Council District 1 General Election, 2015 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nick Leonardo |
32.8% | 1,363 | |
| Loniel Greene, Jr. |
31.4% | 1,307 | |
| Ruby Baker | 13% | 541 | |
| Sylvester Armor | 7.6% | 317 | |
| Roosevelt Williamson | 6.3% | 264 | |
| Rueben Dockery | 4.1% | 170 | |
| John H. Montgomery | 2.4% | 101 | |
| Jonathan Richardson | 2.2% | 91 | |
| Write-in | 0.1% | 5 | |
| Total Votes | 3,792 | ||
| Source: City of Nashville Election Commission, "Official general election results," accessed September 15, 2015 | |||
Campaign themes
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released October 2, 2022 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rueben Dockery completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dockery's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Reverend Rueben Y. Dockery, Sr., is a thirty-five-year resident of Nashville-Davidson County, Tennessee. He has been happily married for twenty-seven years. Together he and his wife have two adult children, a daughter, and a son. Their children are shining products of the Metropolitan Nashville Public School System as well as the private school community of Nashville.
Education • Ph.D.- K-12 Educational Leadership (Walden University) • Master of Education, Leadership/Supervision (Trevecca Nazarene University) • Bachelor of Arts - History (Fisk University) • Associates of Divinity Studies (National College)
Occupational Background
For the last twenty–six years Rueben Dockery has been a pastor (Beythel Family Church and previously at Mount Sinai Cumberland Presbyterian Church). He is the founder of BUILDING FAMILIES & COMMUNITIES (BFC) MISSIONS INCORPORATED, a 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. DOCKERY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, private Christian school and THE DOCKERY AGENCY, LLC, an independent insurance agency.- Rueben Dockery seeks to open greater communication with the Nashville Mayor’s office, Metropolitan Council, and the State Legislature.
- There is a tremendous need for senate level leadership to sponsor legislation and broker the necessary resources that will empower all constituent parents to become proactive partners in the education process.
- Tragically, far too many small businesses were wiped out in the aftermath of Covid19. As your senator, Rueben Dockery will work to restore the small business community and expand entrepreneurial opportunities in Nashville-Davidson County. His vision is to develop over the next four years, an Economic Empowerment Initiative in Tennessee District 53 which permeates Nashville-Davidson County. This initiative is proposed to reduce unemployment and generate economic growth through identifying federal, state and local resources earmarked for constituents. Specific focus is on the following:
• Strategic Visions for Change • Community-Based Partnerships • Economic Independence Opportunities
• Sustainable Community Development
The family unit as the foundation of a strong community
Constituent engagement in the legislative process
Responsive leadership, working on behalf of all the people
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.
2022
Rueben Dockery did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rueben Dockery completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dockery's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
My priority for council representation is eclectic in nature. Accordingly my main three areas of legislative focus include, but may not be limited to, crafting public policy that empowers parent constituents with children attending Nashville’s public school system by establishing:
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers across Davidson County
- Forging family centered educational support systems in needed neighborhoods
- Creating funding streams for academic enrichment beyond the school walls
- A Davidson County Economic Empowerment Zone
- Sources of funding for entrepreneurial training
- Methods to decrease the city-wide unemployment rate and fostering job readiness support
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
If there is one area of public policy I am passionate about, it would be constituent awareness and engagement.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My late father, Bishop Robert Lee Dockery has been my hero and mentor all of my life!
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Perhaps the writing of the historical figure Frederick Agustus Douglas (Five Volumes of Frederick Douglas) would be my recommended reading. He is the father of Negro Suffrage Rights in America.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
It is my position that any elected official must remain open and transparent with the constituents that put them in office via their vote (s).
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I have over twenty-five years of community based service to the Nashville-Davidson County community, in addition to my academic credentials (https://www.constituentadvocacy.com/meet-rueben-dockery). But most importantly, by following the city's Charter I can be assured to best represent the interest of all constituents.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Elected officials should possess the following characteristics: Honesty, Reliability and Transparency.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like to leave a legacy of service and proactive change in Nashville-Davidson County.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
As an twenty year old in 1989, I remember witnessing the news of the falling of the Berlin Wall.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was working at Burger King in Chicago, Illinois . I worked there for about a year and a half.
What happened on your most awkward date?
My date was unhappy with the food quality at the restaurant I chose for us to eat.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I don't have a particular holiday of preference.
What is your favorite book? Why?
My favorite book is Miss Education of the Negro, by Carter Goodwin Woodson. It was the book that encouraged me to understand the significance of Education as a productive member of humanity.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Perhaps, if I were "The Invisible Man" I could improve the quality of life for people without them knowing!
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My office is the place I can do my best work!
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
James Brown "Pay The Cost To Be The Boss"
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
I have struggle to accept the fact that not everyone in society wants or need my assistance.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
Perhaps the most unknown power of the At-Large Council Member is that they have the potential to function as a many-mayor in the city.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
The important skills for the At-Large council member are: policy making, communication and negotiation.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
The office of At-Large Council Member allows the holder to represent all 650,000 constituents of Nashville-Davidson County by way of proactive policy making.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
While it is beneficial for the holder of the at-Large council seat to have experience in government, it is not absolutely necessary because the Metro Charter guides every city official elected and appointed.
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.
2015
Dockery's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[6]
Education
- Excerpt: "There is a tremendous need for city council level leadership to sponsor legislation and broker the necessary resources that will empower all constituent parents to become proactive partners in the educational process."
Neighborhood safety
- Excerpt: "The recipe for long term stagnation faced by some residents is comprised of challenged families, dire poverty, academic-underachievement and poor physical and social-emotional health. All of the previously mentioned issues combined relates to unsafe neighborhoods for residents and all involved. We need council leadership that will utilize their role in the city council in a manner that guarantees their constituents gain maximum benefit of federal, state and local resources to build and sustain viable neighborhoods."
Protecting property values
- Excerpt: "Since the 2010 flood that hit Council District 1 along with Davidson County at-large, many residents have voiced concerns about the flood zone plan for our district. When constituents are informed and empowered to directly contact and converse with council representation their concerns can best be resolved. An open door policy that ensures constituent involvement in planning, information sharing and conflict resolution related to council concerns offers civic warranty of constituent protection."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Dockery has a wife and two children.[1]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rueben Dockery for Metro Council, "Meet Reuben Dockery," accessed July 27, 2015
- ↑ The Tennessean, "Bob Mendes wins at-large Nashville Metro Council seat; 8 others head to runoff," August 2, 2019
- ↑ City of Nashville Election Commission, "Official general election results," accessed September 15, 2015
- ↑ City of Nashville Election Commission, "Official runoff election results," accessed October 2, 2015
- ↑ City of Nashville, "Davidson County Election Commission," accessed December 4, 2014
- ↑ Rueben Dockery for Metro Council, "Why Now," accessed July 27, 2015
