Joda Thongnopnua
Joda Thongnopnua, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee’s 30th State House District, reported on Monday that he had raised more than $35,000 since announcing his candidacy for the open seat in late January.
Mr.
Thongnopnua, in his first bid for public office, is running for the seat being vacated by Rep. Marc Gravitt.
His two reports filed, from the period when he began exploring a bid for the seat through March 31, show him having taken in $34,554 in receipts and an additional $1,380 in in-kind contributions.
“I am so proud that this campaign is supported by a grassroots collection of residents and community leaders who believe that electing someone who will fight for working families in District 30 is worth investing in,” Mr. Thongnopnua said. “Our results so far send a clear message that our vision for Tennessee and District 30 is resonating and we are more than a match for established politicians who simply want to preserve the status-quo.”
Mr. Thongnopnua’s first end-of-year supplemental report showed $8,300 in receipts and his quarterly filing reported an additional $26,254. He said, "This puts us within striking distance of the Republican opposition and sets records for Democratic fundraising figures in the district, out-raising the last two nominees’ fundraising totals combined several times over."
While Mr. Thongnopnua is unopposed in the Democratic primary, he said he is actively campaigning through the primary "to talk to working families across Tennessee’s 30th State House District to hear and understand their concerns." In the weeks ahead, he said he will announce a series of round-table discussions on economic opportunity and will roll out several legislative priorities that he said will strengthen pathways into the middle class.
Tennessee’s 30th State House District includes the East Lake, Missionary Ridge, East Ridge, Brainerd, East Brainerd, Concord, Apison, and Collegedale communities.