Posted here is the introductory letter to the candidates followed by the questionnaire. Each question has background information to ensure all candidates have the same relevant information from which to provide an informed response.

TENNESSEE PRIMARY STATE CANDIDATES ELECTIONS 2026 – “VETERANS PROMISE”

Congratulations on being a candidate for state office, and thank you for wanting to serve Tennessee citizens. As a candidate, Tennessee Veterans (TNVET) asks, “What is your promise to our veterans?” We have questions, asked on behalf of our veterans, for you to respond to on page 2. Your answers will be displayed on TNVET channels such as Facebook, website, email, public news sources, and communication networks within the state veterans organizations.

Perhaps you are not familiar with us. TNVET (https://tnvet.org/) is a 501(c)(19) veterans organization comprising 12 statewide veteran organizations with a membership of over 50,000. Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled Veterans of America (DAV), Military Officers of America Association (MOAA), American Veterans (AMVETS), Women Veterans of America (WVA), and Buffalo Soldiers Association are among them. TNVET’s efforts are to unite, under one state legislative umbrella, the leadership and membership of Tennessee’s individual veteran organizations to work on behalf of all state veterans (and active duty members stationed in Tennessee) in advancing services and/or benefits for all members; and, to provide a forum in which to present, discuss, debate and propose procedural and/or legislative solutions to inequities and issues affecting the veteran community and its active duty counterparts within the state of Tennessee. This work is performed in a nonpartisan manner.

TNVET Legislative Success – visit our website to see our effectiveness in working with the state legislature on veterans’ issues: https://tnvet.org/legislative-success/past-legislative-success/

To aid you in understanding what veterans mean to Tennessee, let us present a basic concept and data:  We Are An Economic and Voting Force.  These are some facts:

  1. The over 440,000 veterans living in Tennessee are a great economic force. The total economic impact of veterans on the state is estimated at $32.97 billion annually, per the Tennessee Department of Veterans’ Services (TDVS). Tennessee’s gross state product (GSP), total economic production of the state economy, for 2025 was approximately $443.8 billion, with significant contributions from veterans and veteran-owned businesses.

  2. Tennessee veterans numbered over 500,000 ten years ago. U.S. Veterans Affairs projects that the national veteran population will decline at a rate of 1.6%/year through FY2053. States around Tennessee are increasing their focus/support on veteran issues/needs…property taxes, health care, education, jobs…to attract this shrinking pool of veterans. Tennessee talks about the importance of attracting and keeping veterans but does little to compete or invest in them.

  3. Past and current state legislators state they support veterans and want to make Tennessee the best place for veterans to settle, live, work, and start businesses. Yet the state continually ranks in or near the bottom 20% of all states in its legislative support for or prioritization of initiatives related to veteran issues and programs.

Having provided you with some basic information about who TNVET is and the veteran impact on the state, we have gathered questions that veterans want to know your opinion on and how you will use your position as a legislator to ensure that opinion is put into action. Please review page 2 for those questions.

Respectfully,

Joseph Leurs

TNVET Chairman

USAR (Ret) 2011-2020

USMC 1997-2010

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2026 TNVET/Veterans Candidate Questionnaire

These questions focus on key issues affecting the 440,000 Tennessee veterans who contribute significantly to our state’s communities and economy. Some issues have been debated/worked previously with no satisfactory legislative resolution. Other issues are in the initial stages of debate/action. We respectfully ask that you review the questions/background and provide your responses by June 30, 2026. When completed, please email it to info@tnvet.org. Any questions may be submitted to the same email address. Thank you.

 

Issue/Background/Question 1. There are currently three Senators and a handful of Representatives that are military veterans. The numbers shrink with each election. Often these “veteran” legislators are called upon to advise and work on veteran issues. Their past military experience is invaluable in explaining issues and concerns about veteran needs/problems to their fellow lawmakers.

Are you a military veteran? If so, which service and military specialty/specialties did you serve in?


Issue/Background/Question 2. Property Tax Reimbursement for 100% disabled veterans/surviving spouses. Current Tennessee law (TCA 67-5-704 (a)(2)) provides for $175,000 reimbursement on property tax for qualified 100% permanent and total disabled veterans. This reimbursement is based on “Market Value” instead of the county accessed property value. This is an issue as it penalizes/deducts from these recipients the relief they are entitled to. As “Market Value” increases over assessed value, the amount of reimbursement is reduced proportionally. This costs recipients hundreds to thousands of dollars. For three years TNVET has worked for passage of HB0436/SB0651 which removes the use of “Market Value” and would use only the county assessed value, which is updated in accordance with state law. Tennessee is the only state that does this while 24 US states pay 100% of a disabled veterans/surviving spouse property tax. The project cost is $6 million per the state Comptroller. While there is wide legislative support, neither the legislature or Governor has provided funding sources.

If elected, will you support the proposed change to the reimbursement law and work to provide the budgetary/funding changes to fund it?

 

Issue/Background/Question 3. Veteran Lottery. The intent is to establish an instant-ticket lottery game to benefit the “Tennessee Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (TNFVA);” a state dedicated method or program that raises money dedicated to Tennessee Veteran needs/programs. TNVET is working legislation (SJR 0614) to amend the Tennessee Constitution to create a fund for Veterans’ Assistance, similar to the Tennessee Education Lottery. Establish funding grants and opportunities to include, but are not limited to, Veteran Service Organizations, Veteran County Service Officers, Mental Health, emergency assistance, outreach and training functions, and other needs/programs that will complement but not replicate existing Tennessee Veterans Benefits. States with such a lottery, such as Texas and Illinois, have raised millions of dollars for veteran programs/support without burdening tax revenues. The legislation will have to be approved by two separate legislative session and be placed on the 2030 ballot for final approval.

If elected, will you support the proposed change to the state constitution to support a veteran lottery?

 

Issue/Background/Question 4. Medical Cannabis. 40 states provide laws that allow for the use and operational control of medical cannabis. Tennessee is NOT one of them, although our citizens and veterans strongly support the use of medical cannabis. Attempts by both Tennessee political parties to allow for a full medical cannabis program fail to get through even the first legislative committee. A proposed Tennessee law for such usage, while defeated in committee, was copied by the State of Alabama, altered slightly, and approved by their legislature several years ago. At the federal level, policy is evolving. In April 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration moved to place certain marijuana products—particularly those approved by the FDA or regulated under state medical programs—into Schedule III, while initiating further review of broader rescheduling. This shift reflects increasing recognition of medical use and supports expanded research and state-regulated programs. In May 2026, the Congressional House just approved an amendment (attached to the FY 2027 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act) that would allow veterans to receive medical Cannabis recommendations directly from their Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors.  Yet, with the national and Congressional attitude being more support of medical cannabis efforts, the Tennessee legislature ended its current session by putting more “red tape” into any approval with the passage of HB1972/SB1603.

If elected, (note: this question ONLY applies to medical use of cannabis) will you support immediately establishing a comprehensive, state-regulated medical cannabis program in Tennessee during the 2027 legislative session?