Patsy Hazlewood

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Patsy Hazlewood
Rep. Hazlewood in 2018
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives
from the 27th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
2014
Preceded byRichard Floyd
Personal details
Born (1949-11-19) November 19, 1949 (age 74)
Fayetteville, Tennessee
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Children1: Ben
Alma materMiddle Tennessee State University
[1][2][3]

Patsy Hazlewood (born November 19, 1949[4][5]) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing District 27 from January 8, 2014 to 2024.

In 2023, Hazlewood supported a resolution to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the legislature for violating decorum rules. The expulsion was widely characterized as unprecedented.[6]

Background

Hazlewood had an extensive background in business prior to politics, retiring from AT&T, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, and as Director of CapitalMark Bank & Trust.[5]

Education

Hazlewood received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973 from Middle Tennessee State University in Physics and Secondary Education.[4][5]

Electoral history

2014 election

Hazlewood filed to run for the Tennessee House District 27 in 2014. She prevailed over fellow Republicans Tommy Wrangle and Charlie White in the primaries, and went on to easily defeat Democrat Eric McRoy in the general election.

2016 election

Facing no challenger in the primary, Hazlewood ran against Democrat Steve Gordon and defeated him with 72.1% of the vote.

2018 election

The following are the results for the 2018 District 27 Election:[7]

2018 District 27 Election Results
Candidates Votes %
Patsy Hazelwood (R) 18,360 65
Brent Morris (D) 9,887 35
Total 28,247 100

2020 election

Hazlewood faced no challengers and won her seat unopposed.

2022 election

Hazlewood faced Independent Michael Potter and won with 70% of the vote.

2024 election

In 2024, Hazlewood was challenged by political newcomer Michele Reneau. Reneau had previously attempted a bid for District 27's House seat in 2022, but she was disqualified. [8] Reneau ran a grassroots and offensive campaign, questioning Hazlewood's voting record and if she was a "true conservative." Hazlewood also went on the offensive, indirectly accusing Reneau of spreading misinformation (though Hazlewood herself refused to answer questions on her voting record). [9] Hazlewood was endorsed by other Tennessee and Hamilton County politicians, such as District Attorney Coty Wamp, State Senator Bo Watson, Governor Bill Lee, Speaker of the Tennessee House Cameron Sexton, and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn. Reneau was endorsed by the Tennessee Right to Life and the Tennessee Gun Owners' Association, as well as the Tennessee Conservative News.

Hazlewood lost the Republican primary to Reneau, despite having heavily outspent her in campaign funds. Had she won the primary, she would have faced off against Democratic nominee and former school board member Kathy Lennon in the general election.[10] Hazlewood conceded after the race, and Hamilton County Republican Officials such as State Senator Todd Gardenhire and District Attorney Coty Wamp agreed to support Reneau for the good of the Republican party.

Political Positions

Abortion

Hazlewood advertised herself as "pro-life" to her constituents. However, she voted "not present" on the 2019 Human Life Protection Act, and voted "present" on the Abortion Pill Reversal Bill in 2021 [11] Hazlewood refused to vote on HB2263, which banned abortions when a fetal heartbeat is detected. [12]

Immigration

In 2019, Hazlewood voted against HB2315, a bill made to prohibit state and local governments from adoption sanctuary policies. Hazlewood also voted against HB1239, which would ban government entities from contracting with a person who does not provide evidence of work authorization status. In 2022, Hazlewood voted for HB2309 to give illegal immigrants professional licenses.

Gun Rights

Hazelwood claims to support the rights of lawful gun owners on her website.[13] However, in 2022 she voted against lowering the conceal-carry age to 18 in Tennessee. [14] In 2024, Hazlewood voted against bill HB2882 that would require age-appropriate firearm safety courses for TN Public school students.

Current legislative committees

Hazlewood currently serves as the Chair of the Financial Ways and Means Committee and is a member of the Banking and Investments Subcommittee, the Commerce committee and the Joint Committee on Pensions and Insurance.[15][16]

Current caucus/non-legislative committees

Hazlewood is a current member of the Tennessee State House of Representatives Business and Utilities Subcommittee, House Ethics Committee and House Finance Committee.[17]

Civic memberships

Hazlewood has participated in the following civic memberships:[16]

Title Organization
Member and Past President Chattanooga Rotary Club
Immediate Past President Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga
Member Bible in the Schools Board
Member Friends of the Festival Board
Member Stadium Corporation Board
Past Board Chair Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce

Honors and awards

Hazlewood has received the TN Woman of Distinction Award for 2012, the Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year for 1999, the Chattanooga Philanthropist of the Year and the Junior League Community Service Award.[16][18]

Religion

Hazlewood is a Presbyterian and has served as an elder and trustee of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.[4]

References

  1. ^ "WIP: Patsy Hazlewood is the Incumbent in TN District 27". CWLI: Chattanooga Women's Leadership Institute. 2016-07-21. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  2. ^ "Cooper: Give Patsy Hazlewood third term". timesfreepress.com. 2018-10-18. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  3. ^ "Yet another Tennessee Republican House member calls on Glen Casada to resign". timesfreepress.com. 2019-05-13. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  4. ^ a b c "United States Senate". projects.timesfreepress.com. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  5. ^ a b c "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  6. ^ Andone, Dakin; Young, Ryan; Simonson, Amy; Almasy, Steve. "Tennessee's Republican-led House expels 2 Democratic lawmakers over gun reform protest, fails in bid to oust a third". CNN. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
  7. ^ "November 2018 General Totals" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Michele Reneau".
  9. ^ "Rep. Patsy Hazlewood Blocks Constituent Comments, Conservative Challenger Michele Reneau's Signs Stolen & Vandalized". 12 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Michele Reneau Pulls Major Election Upset; McVeagh, Hakeem, Gardenhire Cruise To Victory". Chattanoogan. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Patsy Hazlewood Running for Reelection: A Look at Her Voting Record". 3 May 2024.
  12. ^ "Patsy Hazlewood Running for Reelection: A Look at Her Voting Record". 3 May 2024.
  13. ^ https://www.patsyfortn.com/ [bare URL]
  14. ^ "Patsy Hazlewood Running for Reelection: A Look at Her Voting Record". 3 May 2024.
  15. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  16. ^ a b c "Representatives - TN General Assembly". www.capitol.tn.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  17. ^ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
  18. ^ "Chattanooga Area Manager of the Year". www.camoy.org. Retrieved 2019-07-11.
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