Tennessee House of Representatives District 6 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Tennessee, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 6 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 6

Incumbent Tim Hicks defeated Joel Goodman in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 6 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Hicks (R)	76.5	13,980
		Joel Goodman (Independent)	23.5	4,283

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,263
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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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?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

The Militia Came First. The Militia is all of the people except for a few public officials. The Militia is the body of the people. It can be ignored. It can be disparaged, and it can be left to wither. But, it cannot be eliminated, because to eliminate the Militia would mean eliminating the people. Our Individual Liberty depends upon our ability to protect ourselves. (See the website: https://joelgoodman2022.us )

Illegal Aliens do not belong in the United States and are not entitled to benefits at the expense of American Citizens. If we are to maintain our culture, we cannot accept millions of un-assimilated people into the country. Just because the Federal government refuses to uphold the Constitution, that does not mean that we Tennesseans are obligated to house, cloth, feed, educate and provide basic health care for Illegal Aliens. We are not obligated to issue identification papers to their newborns that can be used to receive citizenship under the current illegal policy of birthright citizenship. (See the website: https://joelgoodman2022.us )

Voting has become a continuing event, rather than the one day event it should be. I have proposed changes to the voting method and to the voting procedure. What we have now is still not concise enough. There is no reason to have a vote that extends more than two days. I have proposed rearranging national holidays so as to create a national voting holiday. (See the website: https://joelgoodman2022.us )

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

My main area of public policy concern will be to guarantee our Liberty by restoring responsibility and individual rights to Tennessee citizens. I believe it is possible to streamline government so that it can function more responsively to the citizens. I will also focus on eliminating 'feel good' programs that are unnecessary and generate unnecessary costs. Government has become both a master and a crutch. If we can eliminate unnecessary costs, there will be ample funding to help those Tennessee citizens that truly need help. Right now government is burdened with bureaucracy and unnecessary regulations and tax burdens. I don't expect that I will single-handedly be able to eliminate corruption in the state government, but I am positive that I can at least expose corruption when I find it. We are burdened with liberty infringing laws, such as a seemingly innocuous law that mandates that a 75 year old person be ID'd when they buy alcohol. It is just as demeaning for the store clerk as it is for the customer. It also establishes a pattern of people being forced to bend to inane laws. As harmless as the law appears, by not allowing the store clerk to make the call on someone's age, it serves as a precursor to totalitarianism by demanding a thoughtless conformity.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

My political mentor is Barry Goldwater, a principled, honest politician. He did what he felt was right, not just convenient or personally profitable.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Conscience of a Conservative, Narcissus and Goldmund, Zen in the Art of Archery, Dance with the Shadow Machine, Life on the Mississippi - I love good film - and among my favorites are The Open City, America America and On the Waterfront - There are many other good books and films, but these made me think, and stayed with me.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Actually having principles is the first step to being principled. Honesty, and a desire to serve and improve the lives of constituents wherever it is in the power of the office to do so..

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Intelligent, forthright and relentless - a strong character

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Attend the legislative sessions, committee meetings and meetings with constituents with a principled approach and a clear mind open to suggestions. All will follow from that.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

That I have tried and done what I thought was the most interesting worthwhile ventures - and was as true to myself as possible.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

I was 18 when Kennedy was killed. And, just as my parents remembered where they were when they heard that Pearl Harbor was bombed, I remember the day when Kennedy was killed and the country died. It was difficult for me to believe the story that came out from the government after Jack Ruby killed Oswald. I have worked on and shot the Carcano rifle, and am convinced that the shots that supposedly killed Kennedy could not have come from from the book depository. My country has been taken over since the coup de-etat.that occurred in 1963

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

My first job was when I was in grade school. I worked for part of a summer at a pet store as a general helper. The mere fact that I was working in a business gave me a sense of accomplishment. I enjoyed the work and being around the fish, birds and small critters, something unfamiliar to me growing up in a city/

What is your favorite book? Why?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Catch 22 - It is written by a literary genius who sees the absurdity of what we are often asked to do in life - Doesn't hurt that I met Joseph Heller on a Television set - and told him that his High School teacher remembered him - and he was humbly surprised and abashed.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Captain Marvel - Always loved the lightning bolt on his costume - Well, ya' gotta have style.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Beach Boys - Fun, fun, fun - "...Fun fun fun 'til her daddy takes the T-Bird away" Kind of whathas been happening to the USA lately - "The game may be over."

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Focusing on what would be the most convenient and or profitable versus what is the most intellectually satisfying.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

The governor with input form the legislature should stake out policy, and a general direction the state should follow. There should be serious discussions between the legislature and the governor in order to create efficient and sound policy - and always looking to eliminate unneeded legislation

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

The governor should protect Tennesseans from the ever encroaching Federal Government, and allying the state with other Liberty minded states.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Regionalism is important, but can lead to a lack of focus on the needs of the state. Having two houses allows for the needs of both the smaller and larger regional areas to be met.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Elected officials should arise from the populace, and bring their ideas to the legislature. Previous political experience is not a perquisite for good ideas. In fact previous political service can be a detriment to creative and responsive government. If government is so complicated that previous experience is required to serve, then the government is doing too many things and is too complicated.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Yes and no. There will always be other people with whom one bonds intellectually or emotionally. Legislation should depend upon the content and quality of the legislation, not the popularity of the legislator promoting the legislation.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

The most geographically cohesive map that population will allow.

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Finance, Ways and Means - Civil Justice - Government Operations - Calendar and Rules - Insurance - State Government

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Patrick Henry, Elbridge Gerry, Barry Goldwater, Dwight Eisenhower

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

Joel Goodman (Independent)

At the moment - defending Tennessean's Liberty is enough to contemplate.

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?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Not a single story, but the very positive reaction I have gotten from people when I explain to them that I am running as an independent, and have had it with both parties lack of true concern for us citizens.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Can't - it's too long - but, if we meet, I'll be glad to

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

Yes -

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Joel Goodman (Independent)

It depends on what the policy is, and what compromises are on the table.

See also

More about these elections:

• Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2022

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