Lee senior running for state representative

Published in the Lee Clarion.

Lee University senior James Gann Jr. announced his bid to become state representative of the 8th District of Tennessee to a small gathering of friends at the Curtsinger Music Building on January 30.
The 8th District includes the town of Gatlinburg and Gann’s hometown (Walland) and is divided between Blount and Sevier counties.

“I’m a bit young, but at the same time it’s good to have some youth, some vigor,” Gann said. “I believe that I can relate to younger voters as well as the baby boomer generation.”

In order to officially join the race, Gann must receive 25 signatures of support on a petition for office that will not be available until the first day of 2010.

Gann, a 21-year-old vocal music education major, said he would be 23 by the time of the election in November 2010.

He said that many might criticize his age and lack of experience.

“Your age doesn’t necessarily matter,” Gann said. “I know a lot of 40 year olds who act like 16 year olds and I know some 16 year olds that act like 40 year olds.”

Gann said he planned to run as a Republican to replace incumbent representative Joe McCord.

Long-term plans

A Facebook group promoting Gann’s campaign has 25 members, but his plans don’t end in Tennessee. A second group titled “Jamie Gann for President” has 43 members.

A description of the group reads as follows:

…I officially announce that I will be running for President of the United States in the election of 2024. At one time, this group was a bit of an inside joke among my close friends, however it has turned serious. I do intend to run for President with the full intention of winning the election….

Gann called the group a political joke but said that he does want to make a bid for the presidency one day, though it may not be in 2024.

“It is my dream to be able to make a difference in the nation,” Gann said.

Gann said that he feels social media is a viable way reach voters, especially the younger generations.

“I’ve seen so many other politicians on Facebook as well,” he said. “Zach Wamp has already created a page for his gubernatorial bid so I was kind of following that lead.”

Support from friends

Before announcing his bid, Gann spoke with Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry Tom Doolittle about the possibility of seeking office.

“He was really a big source of encouragement,” Gann said. “When I actually told him that I had decided to run he was really excited about it.”

Doolittle said he prayed with Gann for God’s guidance and assistance.

“I related to him that our country needs committed Christians in political offices,” Doolittle said. “I supported him in his quest, because I realized that James has the proper motives and the willingness to work hard for the benefit of others.”

Gann said a lot of his friends had been supportive of his decision.

“Some of them seemed to be surprised that I was going at it at such a young age,” he said, “but some of them were like ‘Yeah, I knew you’d do it all along, I was just waiting for it.’”

Not everyone’s as excited, however.

“I have a few friends who are Democrats that are a little uneasy about the fact that I’m running as a Republican,” he said.

Political involvement

Gann first became involved in politics at the age of 12 while working with Senator Bill Frist on petitions, gathering hundreds of names to fight partial birth abortion.

“The issue of abortion is really close to my heart.” he said. “When I saw how horrific it actually was…that became one of my key [concerns]. How can someone support such an inhumane act?”

Gann said his stand against abortion and his deeply rooted religious beliefs led him to the Republican party.

Lee University College Republicans Chairperson Cameron Pruette said that Gann wasn’t involved in the campus organization.

“He has no connection; I don’t think he’s ever been to a meeting,” he said.

Pruette said that the College Republicans would consider supporting Gann in the future, depending on his policies, but that the group had been unable to contact him.

“We actually tried to talk about him last week,” Pruette said. “We weren’t even sure he was a Republican. We really don’t know anything about him, we just know he’s running.”

Gann is actively involved in opera theater at Lee. He said singing in front of an audience has helped him overcome a fear of addressing crowds.

“When you’re on a stage doing a recital or in an opera, you’re not just singing a bunch of notes. You’re actually having to convince [the audience] that you believe what you’re singing about,” he said. “When you’re talking to people you have to convince them that you really believe what you’re telling them and that you’re qualified to be talking about certain issues that are controversial.”

Despite his venture into politics, Gann said music will always be a retreat.

“I’ll be able to use music to calm down,” he said. “I know a lot of times if I’ve had a stressful day I’ll find myself going to the piano and just playing something relaxing.”

And if his bid for office doesn’t succeed, Gann said he could envision teaching music in a university setting.

Getting the vote

Gann said he’s unaware of any competition in the race at this early point, but he feels like he’s ready for the job.

“Even though it will be a challenge, it’s one that I’m willing to step up to,” he said.

The real work will begin next summer, after graduation, Gann said.

“I’ll not only be going door to door, but stopping by little corner stores, the local diner, the community center where people are playing bingo or table tennis and just talk to them,” he said.

The next step right now is to begin raising campaign finances, Gann said, noting he was hoping to raise around $400,000. He said he’s considered asking former state senator and “very close friend” Raymond Fenny to serve as his campaign manager.

Shaun Maness, a sophomore theater major, is serving as Gann’s public relations adviser for the campaign.
The two first met in fall 2007 when they became roommates after Gann didn’t “see eye to eye” with his original roommate.
“I was one of the first people he told about his plans to run,” Maness said. “He just wanted to share with me his goals and his dreams of representing the state of Tennessee, the 8th District.”

Maness said that since Gann’s announcement the two have discussed plans and strategies for the months to come.
“My immediate reaction was pretty optimistic,” Maness said. “I was thrilled for Jamie. I think it was the best move he could have made in his life right now.”
Gann said his chance for success may depend on who McCord is supporting in the race.
“I would definitely love to have his support, but even if he chooses to support another candidate I still feel that the task is not impossible,” Gann said.

Even if he should lose, Gann said he’ll be thankful for the challenge and experience that he gained.

“Losing is not the end,” he said. “Even Abraham Lincoln made several bids for a senate seat in Illinois and lost, but then he went on to become one of our greatest presidents, even if he was shot in the back of the head, which, I hope that doesn’t happen. That is a very sad thing. But that’s happened a lot through history, it might be a little bit discouraging, but it’s not the end, so whatever comes, I welcome it.”

In the end, Gann said that he was excited about the fun times to come on the campaign trail.

“I hope that there will be a lot of prayer involved in this,” he said. “Of course, in that area we can never have enough help and support and prayer…It is difficult, but it’s not an impossible challenge.”