Your neighbors are telling you the truth on their front porches, and it does not sound like a glossy mailer. We sit down with Jessica Means, a candidate for Tennessee House District 1, to get a real-time update on a heated Northeast Tennessee race and what she is hearing while knocking on thousands of doors across Bloomingdale, Bristol, Bluff City, and beyond.

We talk cost of living and affordability first, because that is what families bring up immediately, then we zoom in on a complicated local fight: data mining centers. Jessica explains why Sullivan County passed a data mining center moratorium through January 2027 and why she believes Tennessee needs stronger guardrails before major projects strain water, power, roads, and private property rights. We also explore what “economic development” should actually mean for rural communities when permanent jobs may be far fewer than promised.

From there, the conversation moves into building a resilient local economy: supporting small businesses, protecting farmland, reducing red tape that crushes small farmers, and why “know your farmer, know your food” connects health, freedom, and community. We also raise a growing concern for parents: AI and the need for serious protections for kids in a world where online harm is accelerating.

Early voting runs July 17 through August 1, and election day is August 6. After you listen, share this with a neighbor, subscribe for more Northeast Tennessee conversations, and leave a quick review. What issue should District 1 leaders tackle first?

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.