Brandon Woodruff announced that he will declare his candidacy for the open District 28 State House of Representatives seat next Monday at noon.
Mr. Woodruff, born and raised in the Chattanooga, said he "is prepared to handle the challenges that come with leadership."
The graduate of Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences has recently received his undergraduate degree in Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University and on Dec. 16 will receive his master’s degree in Leadership and Public Policy from Lipscomb University.
He is currently co-owner of Scenic City T’s (located in the heart of the Brainerd community) and a Licensed Sales Producer for Allstate Insurance Company.
Mr. Woodruff in 2015 was selected as one of nine students from Middle Tennessee State University to work for the 109th Tennessee General Assembly. His campaign said his "ability to cultivate relationships within the capitol extended his opportunity to work closely with the General Assembly in 2016 and the 110th Tennessee General Assembly in 2017." He worked for three State House members during his time with the General Assembly.
Mr. Woodruff said, “The one thing I’ve continued to hear is 'You are too young.' I always say to that, 'There’s no such thing as being too young.' Several of our national and historic leaders were in their youth when they decided to leave their mark on the world. My fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, continuously reminds me of the legacy my brothers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall began their respective journeys at 25, the same age I will be during my campaign. My entire life I was reminded by my late grandfather, Pastor David Hill, former minister of Faith Unlimited Ministries, that “a child shall lead the way”. The scripture denotes the child's humility and eagerness to learn is what makes him eligible to lead, not his age. So being called at this very moment in history to change Chattanooga, came as no surprise to myself and those in the district who witnessed and poured into me as I've grown into a man.”
He said hiss favorite Bible scripture is Isaiah 6:8. It reads: “And the Lord asked, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ and I said, ‘Here I am Lord. Use me.’” This scripture influenced his decision to run for the open seat in the 28th District, he stated.
Mr. Woodruff said, “My people, my city of Chattanooga, in the words of Fannie Lou Hamer, are 'sick and tired of being sick and tired.' I have listened to my community. The recurring conversation has been that our city is in need of a change. We deserve local and state leaders that genuinely care about supporting a healthy public education system, encouraging businesses to create opportunities for our youth to engage in entrepreneurship, and appropriately distributing tax dollars to ensure all communities are benefiting equally from the tremendous growth our city is experiencing. This generation needs public officials who are honest and more transparent with those in which they serve.
“I’m running for State House to rehabilitate our community’s view of public servants. No more politicians. We deserve public servants. I believe I have shown and will continue to show I am trained and passionate about serving those around me.”