From left to right are Aaron Gulbranse, director of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, Senator J. Adam Lowe and Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson. Also honoring Senator Lowe was Glenn Jacobs, county mayor from Knox County.
Freshman Senator J. Adam Lowe (R-Calhoun) recently completed his first legislative session as the Tennessee General Assembly concluded the 113th Legislative Assembly last week.
Senator Lowe, a first term Republican from Calhoun, was recognized by the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, a chapter of the national conservative organization, saying he "quickly established a reputation for conservative policy."
He was recognized as a “Defender of Freedom” based on his legislative work challenging federal overreach, addressing drug and human trafficking, cutting taxes, and protecting second amendment rights.
Senator Lowe was the cosponsor of a proposed Tennessee Constitutional amendment to prevent the state from establishing a property tax and the passage of legislation addressing the trafficking of the drug fentanyl. Additionally, he was active in the historic passing of the “Goods in Tennessee” bill to address federal overreach, a legislative initiative that he drafted. The bill was praised by the Tennessee House Republican Caucus as the #1 legislative achievement of the session.
“Senator Lowe has become a valuable part of the senate and has done so quicker than any I can remember” said Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson at a recent gathering for Senator Lowe. “He is studied, conservative, and it no secret that he cares deeply for the families of his district and Tennessee.”
He was involved when the legislature passed a bill during a special session late last month which mandates that the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) release an annual report on the state’s human trafficking crimes and trends. TBI has previously said that human trafficking is the second-fastest growing criminal industry in the Volunteer State, and the law enforcement organization had already received nearly 200 referrals of human trafficking in 2023 by early last month.
Senator Lowe said, "Tennessee’s effort to better track the crime reflects how bad the situation has become amid a surge in illegal border crossings since Biden took office. In 2022, reported human trafficking cases spiked 84 percent nationwide from 2021, and are set to soar higher still this year.
"As human trafficking numbers have increased, Tennessee and other red states have made criminal penalties more severe. But without the ability to address the problem directly at the border, those efforts have been marginally effective at best."
Aaron Gulbransen, the executive director of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition, praised the Tennessee legislature’s effort as a promising sign. He said, “This bill is the first step in a very lengthy war. It’s the kickstart of a swathe of bills that are intended to cut the heart out of human trafficking in the state of Tennessee.”
Senator Lowe carried and passed “Dillard’s Law” and “Ledford’s Law”, two pieces of legislation reforming policies around DUI offenders and named to honor local DUI victims from his district.
When asked about what he anticipates for the 114th General Assembly, Senator Lowe said he hopes to tackle issues related to juvenile mental health, further protecting first responders, and eliminating more taxes.