About the Conservative Champion Awards

 There is one word that describes Senator Dawn White’s legislative record and who she is as a person: fabulous.

Dawn White is a fabulous legislator, a fabulous conservative, and a fabulous human being.

As Vice-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator White has enormous influence on the outcome of legislation and she always uses that leadership to benefit Tennesseans and the conservative cause.

In 2024, White authored legislation that protects children from exploitation and endangerment, keeps children safe in schools, fights against illegal street racing, and more.

She also sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that protect the 2nd Amendment, defend women and children against the scourge of child and human trafficking, defend Parents’ Rights, defend election integrity, defend against the Biden Administration’s open borders policy, defends conservatives against discrimination by woke corporations, and defend Taxpayers’ Rights.

Senator White’s legislative record of accomplishment is both conservative and stellar.

Dawn White is truly a Conservative Champion. 

In just his first term, a true conservative stalwart, Representative Jake McCalmon has quickly become one of the most skilled legislators in the General Assembly.

Simply put, Jake McCalmon authors conservative legislation that very frequently becomes law. A supremely unselfish legislator, he is also someone who will not hesitate to work on a good bill, regardless of whether or not his name is publicly associated with it.

McCalmon gets things done for his district and Tennesseans in general.

Jake McCalmon is a thoughtful, accessible, and conservative leader who puts his constituents first.

In 2024, he took on the Biden Administration’s open borders stance, fighting for Tennesseans and the Constitution.

Representative McCalmon authored and passed numerous bills and resolutions. McCalmon took on the evil child and human trafficking industry, passing a law that gives victims 15 extra years to seek restitution. He also authored a bill that gives stiffer penalties to child abusers.

He additionally co-sponsored several bills that seek to destroy child and human trafficking in the state of Tennessee. McCalmon is also the author of HJR0798, a resolution that kickstarts the process that will result in Tennessee banding together with neighboring states in the fight against the scourge of child and human trafficking. He has co-sponsored several Pro-2nd Amendment, anti-woke corporate, Pro-Life, Pro-Parents’ Rights, and Pro-Taxpayers’ Rights bills.

Jake McCalmon is truly a Conservative Champion. We are grateful for his conservative leadership and look forward to working with him for years to come.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs

is the most conservative and best mayor in the state of Tennessee! Additionally, he is the most thoughtful and accessible leader in our state.

When many were locking down their cities and counties, Mayor Jacobs fought government overreach and refused to bow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a champion for business owners, fighting tooth and nail against the lockdowns and mandates.

As Mayor of Knox County, he has demonstrated strong, conservative leadership and focused on telling the rest of the world what Knox County citizens already know: Knox County is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

He is a Champion Defender of Freedom! 

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson represents District 27, which consists of Williamson County. He was first elected to the State Senate in 2006 and is also a small business owner.

Leader Johnson also has the challenging task of leading the Senate Majority Caucus.

Since his first day in office he has proudly represented Tennessean’s conservative values. Jack knows that conservative values are Tennessee values, which is why he always fights for lower taxes, defends constitutional rights, protects our most vulnerable – our children and the unborn - and ensures parents’ always have a voice in their children’s education.

For 2023, Leader Johnson is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition for his sponsorship of SB1, which protects children from being mutilated with certain medical procedures and treatments, SB3 – which protects children from being exposed to adult cabaret performances, SB0011 – which makes permanent certain protections against COVID-19 government overreach, and his defense of the Constitution, which includes our 2nd Amendment rights.

 A dedicated conservative public servant, House Majority Leader Wiliam Lamberth represents District 44, which consists of Part of Sumner County. He was first elected to the legislature in 2012.

An attorney who is known for being tough but fair on crime, Leader Lamberth also has the difficult job of steering the House Majority Caucus.

The list of Lamberth’s legislative achievements and leadership are too lengthy to be detailed here but he certainly deserves our thanks and recognition.

Leader Lamberth is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition for his long tenure defending the unborn, the 2nd Amendment, our shared conservative values, and specifically in 2023, for good government legislation that will save the taxpayer money, for his leadership on faith based initiatives – and – for his sponsorship of HB1, which protects children from being mutilated with certain medical procedures and treatments.

State Representative Jason Zachary has spent his entire tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly fighting for conservative principles and defending our freedoms in the Tennessee General Assembly.

From defending Tennesseans against COVID-19 government overreach, the unborn, over-taxation, threats to our 2nd Amendment Rights, and the encroachment of Marxism, Representative Zachary is truly a Defender of Freedom.
 

Jason Zachary’s conservative credentials are unquestionable and undeniable. His legislative accomplishments are many.

In 2024, Representative Jason Zachary spearheaded HB2100, a first in the nation soon-to-be law which protects conservatives and all Tennesseans by being “debanked” or having their bank accounts targeted and taken away by woke banks and corporations.
 

Additionally, Zachary shepherded the passage of HB2611, a bill that creates a vital tool for law enforcement that will result in many more child and human traffickers suffering the penalty for their crimes and many more children, women, and even men being set free from the modern day slavery that is child and human trafficking.
 

We greatly appreciate Representative Jason Zachary’s exemplary record. He has our gratitude, thanks, and admiration.

State Representative Chris Todd is one of Tennessee’s strongest conservative legislators and without question, defends the freedom of the citizens of our great state on a daily basis.
 

Chris Todd possesses a litany of achievements for freedom and the conservative cause over the course of his career in the legislature, one of which being that he was architect of the passage of Tennessee’s Right to Work Constitutional Amendment. Chris Todd took it to liberal unions and won.

Chris Todd is unquestionably Pro-Life, Pro-Religious Liberty, Pro-2ndAmendment, Pro-Parents’ Rights, and defends both the Tennessee and U.S. constitutions without fail. Additionally, Todd fights to protect Tennesseans from the dangers of illegal immigration.
 

In 2024, Todd sponsored and passed HB2882, important legislation that aids in students being properly educated on firearm safety.
 

He also co-sponsored legislation that protects the religious liberty of individuals that perform marriage ceremonies, protects children from Leftist indoctrination, and defends women and children from the evil that is child and human trafficking.
 

Todd is also a strong defender of Israel. He was the House sponsor of SJR0870, which demonstrates that the people of Tennessee stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel and utterly condemns the evil terrorist organization, Hamas.

Chris Todd is truly a Defender of Freedom.

Throughout his tenure in the Tennessee General Assembly, State Representative Johnny Garrett has fought for the conservative cause, the Constitution, and above all: the freedoms, liberties, and well-being of Tennesseans.
 

Down to earth, always willing to talk, and with his constituents’ interests and the conservative cause on his mind and heart, Johnny Garrett is the kind of conservative leader that Tennessee needs.
 

As House Majority Whip, Garrett exercises enormous influence and leadership in the Majority Caucus. He uses that leadership to constantly defend the freedoms and rights of Tennesseans.
 

In 2024, among many other important topics, Garrett has helped pass legislation that defends conservatives from being targeted by woke corporations, defends Parents’ Rights, lowers taxes, and keeps Tennesseans safe.
 

Garrett has also helped block legislation that would destroy 2ndAmendment Rights in Tennessee.

Representative Garrett is a strong defender of the 2nd Amendment, the Unborn, religious liberty, and so many other things that conservatives hold dear.

Johnny Garrett is a Defender of Freedom. We are grateful for his leadership.

A man of strong faith, State Senator Shane Reeves has a record marked by his defense of Religious Liberty and the Constitution.
 

Shane Reeves is a warrior for the Unborn, and a fighter against child and human traffickers.
 

He also has a strong record of fighting for the prosperity of small businesses in Tennessee.
 

A thoughtful leader, Reeves’ office is open to all and he is tremendously responsive to the needs of his constituents.
 

In 2024, Senator Reeves has helped pass tax cuts, cut red tape, laws that protect our Constitutional rights and freedoms, and strengthened the families of Tennessee.
 

Senator Shane Reeves is truly a Defender of Freedom.

Senator Adam Lowe is a great conservative leader, a man of strong faith, and provides skillful leadership in the Senate.
 

In his first term, he displays an understanding of the legislative process that is light years beyond the amount of time he has spent in office. Lowe is known amongst his colleagues as a strong conservative legislator who gets things done.
 

In the Senate, Lowe is a constant voice for conservative economic policies, tax cuts, Parents’ Rights, conservative values, and constantly defends the freedoms and Constitutional rights of Tennesseans.
 

In 2024, among other important bills, he’s passed legislation that protects the integrity of our elections and protects children from cyber-bullying. He’s one of the authors of the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act.
 

Adam Lowe is truly a Defender of Freedom. We are grateful for his leadership and are exciting to work with him for many years to come.

State Senator Brent Taylor is a strong conservative who fights for the prosperity, health, and safety of the citizens of his district and all Tennesseans.
 

In his first term, he has already established himself as a highly capable conservative leader who gets positive outcomes for Tennesseans.
 

Surrounded by soft on crime local leaders, including a Soros-funded district attorney, Senator Taylor has been a one-man army fighting to fix the problems in Memphis. He has been targeted by the Left and attacked for those efforts.
 

In 2024, he has passed a number of important measures that will make the citizens of his district safer and aid their path to prosperity.
 

He's passed legislation that will bring the rot that is Soros-funding and Soros-alliances to light.
 

The safety and prosperity of the citizens of his district and Tennessee as a whole, is evidenced by his record and the work that Senator Taylor does.
 

He's also passed legislation that will aid in curbing illegal immigration and protect election integrity.
 

Senator Taylor is the architect of the DA Second Opinion Act, a bill that gives law enforcement an important tool to aid in the prosecution of heinous criminals AND the vital ability to attack and destroy organized child and human trafficking in the state of Tennessee.
 

That legislation started off this General Assembly session in a different form, with little-to-no chance of passage. Senator Taylor rewrote, rescued this bill, and got it done.
 

His leadership for his district and the victims of child and human trafficking in Tennessee is not only commendable, but sorely needed.
 

Brent Taylor is truly a Defender of Freedom.

Tennessee is truly blessed to have Jonathan Skrmetti as Attorney General.

Jonathan Skrmetti was sworn in as the Attorney General and Reporter for the state of Tennessee September 1, 2022. He was appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve an eight-year term.

Prior to his current role, General Skrmetti served as Chief Counsel to Governor Bill Lee. Previously, General Skrmetti served as Chief Deputy Attorney General to Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III.

Prior to his work on behalf of the State of Tennessee, General Skrmetti was a partner at Butler Snow LLP in Memphis. Before joining Butler Snow, he served as a federal prosecutor for almost a decade, first at the Civil Rights Division and then as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis. In addition, General Skrmetti taught cyberlaw as an adjunct professor at the University of Memphis.

General Skrmetti earned honors degrees from George Washington University, the University of Oxford, and Harvard Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. Following law school, Jonathan clerked for Judge Steven Colloton on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife and four children.

 Attorney General Skrmetti is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition as a Defender of Freedom for his constant work to defend and uphold the Tennessee and U.S. constitutions, as well as the rule of law. We are immensely grateful for and proud of the work that General Skrmetti does for the citizens of Tennessee on a daily basis.

 Knox County Mayor Jacobs is a shining example of what a conservative leader is in the great state of Tennessee. 

He was first elected in 2018 and was overwhelmingly reelected last year. When many were locking down their cities and counties, Mayor Jacobs fought government overreach and refused to bow. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a champion for business owners, fighting tooth and nail against the lockdowns and mandates.

As Mayor of Knox County, he has demonstrated strong, conservative leadership and focused on telling the rest of the world what Knox County citizens already know: Knox County is a great place to live, work and raise a family.

Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition recognizes Mayor Jacobs as a Defender of Freedom for his leadership in Knox County his, many contributions to the conservative movement as a whole, and his strong dedication to standing up for liberty.

  Senator White represents District 13, which consists of part of Rutherford County. 

She was first elected to the Tennessee Senate in 2018. Prior to that, Senator White had a distinguished career in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

White is a small business owner and former teacher and is a known leader passionate about education and many other causes near and dear to conservatives.

A dedicated and capable conservative leader, Senator White is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition for her fight to keep our children safe, her conservative leadership on education, her Pro-Life and Pro-Religious Liberty stances, and her defense of the U.S. Constitution.

Senator Stevens represents District 24, which consists of Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart and Weakley Counties.

An attorney, he has served in the Tennessee State Senate since 2012.

A dedicated conservative leader, Stevens is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition for his expertise in and defense of the Constitution, his leadership on the Senate Finance, Ethics, and Judiciary Committees, and common sense conservative work to keep government interference in our daily lives to a minimum.

Rep. Grills represents District 77, which consists of Dyer, Lake and part of Obion Counties, a position he has served in since 2020.

A farmer, Rep. Grills is known for his agricultural issues expertise, and he serves as Chair, Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee.

A passionate conservative, Rep. Grills is recognized by the Tennessee Faith & Freedom Coalition for passionately defending the rights of the unborn, home school families, the Constitution, and our children in his fight against human and child trafficking. 

Over a year ago, Governor Lee and the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition agreed to work together in the fight to make Tennessee a better place for children. We agreed it was time to do even more work to try and destroy the modern day slavery that is child and human trafficking.

Throughout his time in office, Governor Lee has taken the fight to child & human traffickers. When we first met with Governor Lee, he promised to link arms with us in this fight and work to pass even more legislation that helps save children.   

GOVERNOR LEE KEPT HIS PROMISE.  

His work with the TN Faith and Freedom Coalition has yielded Administration bills that give law enforcement even more needed tools to fight this scourge.  

Governor Lee has signed bills recently that are aimed at gutting the child & human trafficking trade. They include the Child Rape Death Penalty Option, the DA Second Opinion Act, the Tennessee Protect Minors Act, and many many more laws.  

We presented Governor Lee with this Champion Defender of Children Award to honor and thank him for his broader body of work fighting for children and to thank him for keeping his promise to us and to the children of Tennessee.  

God Bless Governor Lee! 

 Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson is an amazing conservative leader for the state of Tennessee and is relentless in his fight to protect the children of our great state. His legislative record is unmatched and his conservative accomplishments are too numerous to list here or properly give credit for.
 

Due in large part to his leadership, the Senate is known as a body that constantly works to defend and protect the children of Tennessee.
 

His legislative record famously includes defending children from mutilation, indoctrination, exploitation, and abuse. His Pro-Life record is also unimpeachable.
 

Over the last year and beyond, Leader Johnson has led the Senate in declaring war on the scourge that is child and human trafficking. That is the kind of leadership our state sorely needs.
 

Leader Johnson previously said it best, “If you’re engaging in child and human sex trafficking in Tennessee, we’re coming after you. We’re going to war with you.”
 

Just over the last nine months, Johnson has been the Senate author of several bills that makes child rapists eligible for the death penalty, gives victims of human trafficking additional options for restitution, protects children from abuse and exploitation, and gives law enforcement important tools in the quest to destroy the evil child and human trafficking trade.
 

Additionally, he has thrown the full weight of his leadership behind great legislation authored by others.
 

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson is a lion in the fight against child and human trafficking.
 

Jack Johnson is truly a Champion Defender of Children.

 

A skilled, strong, conservative and Pro-Life leader, House Majority Leader William Lamberth’s record of protecting children is truly admirable and without peer in the State House.
 

Lamberth’s tenure in the House is filled with legislation that protects children from exploitation, mutilation, abuse, and indoctrination.
 

In 2024, Leader Lamberth is the House author and architect of the Child Rape Death Penalty Option bill, legislation that makes child rapists eligible for the death penalty. That legislation additionally shines a massive signal to those child traffickers that would facilitate the rape of a child: YOU ARE NOT WECOME IN TENNESSEE!
 

He's authored legislation that protects children on social media, protects children from abuse and neglect, and gives law enforcement needed tools to fight child and human trafficking.
 

Additionally, he deserves a major share of the credit in the passage of Pro-Children, Pro-Families, and Anti-Trafficking legislation authored by others. One does not pass a bill in the Tennessee House without the assistance of Leader William Lamberth. He uses that influence to make Tennessee a better place for children and all Tennesseans.
 

William Lamberth is truly a Champion Defender of Children.

 

State Representative Patsy Hazlewood has defended the health and safety of Tennessee’s children throughout her tenure. The children of our state are far better off and are safer due to her stalwart leadership.
 

Her Children First leadership in the General Assembly is unquestionable and is worthy of tremendous commendation.
 

In 2024, Representative Hazlewood picked up the ball to further defend children by authoring the Protect Tennessee Minors Act, legislation which protects children from the psychological damage, brain rot, and gateway into child trafficking that is online pornography.
 

Hazlewood is taking the war to those that would exploit children and expose them to depravity.
 

This is exactly the kind of leadership in Tennessee that will protect children for years to come and we are grateful for it.
 

Patsy Hazlewood is truly a Defender of Children. 

State Representative Mark Cochran is a strong conservative leader who constantly fights for the well-being of the children of the state of Tennessee. We are fortunate to have him in the General Assembly.
 

Cochran’s tenure is marked by a devotion to conservatism and Tennessee values. He is a highly effective legislator.
 

Destroying the scourge that is child trafficking in Tennessee is something that is very important to him.
 

Representative Cochran shepherded a very important law through the State House, one that he worked on very closely with the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition.
 

Cochran presented and helped ensure the passage of the anti-trafficking yearly TBI reporting requirement, a law that tracks child and human trafficking statistics in Tennessee. It also holds law enforcement accountable and vigilant, provides law enforcement with a tool to aid in funding requests for in order to seek more resources to better save children from modern day slavery, and helps measure the progress made in the fight to eliminate that evil scourge in Tennessee.
 

Representative Cochran demonstrates true leadership in the fight to save children from trafficking.
 

Mark Cochran is truly a defender of children.

State Representative Elaine Davis is known as a strong conservative legislator who is a vital leader in the fight against child and human trafficking in Tennessee.
 

Representative Davis will sponsor, co-sponsor, make phone calls, and vote for any bill aimed at curbing the scourge that is child and human trafficking in Tennessee.
 

There is no questioning Elaine Davis’ unrelenting dedication to protecting the children of our great state.
 

In 2024, she has passed, sponsored, and co-sponsored legislation that protects victims rights, will save children from the scourge of trafficking, and enable law enforcement to attack and destroy organized trafficking rings.
 

Davis is someone that those in the fight against child trafficking can always count on.
 

Elaine Davis is truly a defender of children and we are grateful for her leadership.

State Senator Ken Yager is a great leader in the General Assembly and is a lion in the fight against child trafficking in Tennessee.
 

Ken Yager is always eager to sponsor, co-sponsor, and do everything in his power to pass legislation that will destroy that modern day slavery scourge of trafficking in our state.

Yager previously presented and helped ensure the passage of the anti-trafficking yearly TBI reporting requirement, a law that tracks child and human trafficking statistics in Tennessee. It also holds law enforcement accountable and vigilant, provides law enforcement with a tool to aid in funding requests for in order to seek more resources to better save children from modern day slavery, and helps measure the progress made in the fight to eliminate that evil scourge in Tennessee.
 

Most recently, Senator Yager ensured Senate passage of one of the most important bills that the General Assembly will consider this year, one that will make the death penalty an option for the most heinous of crimes, child rape.
 

By ensuring passage, Yager gave the children of Tennessee a massive victory. He also sent a massive signal to those that would traffic children for rape: YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN TENNESSEE.
 

Senator Yager said it best, “There is nothing more vicious or more heinous of the rape of a child. We are protecting children by allowing the death penalty for this horrible crime.”
 

His leadership in this battle to protect children is untiring and we are grateful for it.
 

Ken Yager is truly a Defender of Children. 

A sincere man with a deep faith in God, there is perhaps a no more good and decent human being in the Tennessee General Assembly than State Senator Ferrell Haile.
 

Senator Haile’s tenure in the General Assembly can best be summed up with the words, Defender of Children.
 

His leadership with the Safe Baby Courts has saved countless lives. There are many children living and prospering because of Ferrell Haile.
 

Additionally, Senator Haile recognized the threat that transgender surgery, hormones, and child mutilation posed to Tennessee’s children before anyone else. Long before Matt Walsh exposed the evils being done to children on at Vanderbilt, Haile sponsored and passed a law saving many of Tennessee’s children from that evil.
 

Simply put, it is unquestionable that Ferrell Haile’s law protected children from child mutilation and started advancing the ball down the field that led to SB1/HB1, which he also co-sponsored.
 

In 2024, Senator Haile authored legislation that toughened penalties for sexual abuse of a child, protected foster care children, protected more children from child abuse, kept children away from sexual abusers, kept children on school buses safe, gave the state an additional tool to protect children from illegal immigration, and protected children from neglect.
 

Haile further co-sponsored and worked to pass several bills designed to destroy the evil scourge that is child and human trafficking.
 

Frankly, Senator Haile’s contributions to the safety and health of Tennessee’s children are too numerous to count.

Ferrell Haile is truly a Defender of Children.

Senator Becky Duncan Massey’s defense of children begins with her 100% pro-life record of protecting preborn children. Throughout her tenure, she has also addressed issues including newborn safety, protecting children from domestic violence, and protecting children from pornography exposure. 

“I am grateful to the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition for keeping children at the forefront of the legislative process,” said Sen. Massey. “I believe defending our children begins with a strong, pro-life foundation, and I am proud to build on that foundation by passing laws that strengthen health and public safety outcomes for our kids.” 

This year, Sen. Massey co-sponsored the Protect Tennessee Minors Act which passed the Senate unanimously. As amended, this bill works to keep children from being exposed to the explicit adult content that is so prevalent on the internet. Media companies would be required to verify that visitors are legal adults before allowing access to content. 

“This legislation further demonstrates that Senator Massey is a leader in the fight to protect children against the brain rot that is pornography and the terrible gateway that it is to exploitation and child trafficking,” said the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Faith and Freedom Coalition in a statement. “Tennesseans should be proud of the legislative body of work that Senator Massey possesses, and this bill is just the latest example of her thoughtful and exemplary leadership.” 

The Protect Tennessee Minors Act is making its way through the House and is expected to receive full support. 

“It bears repeating, pornography is a massive and insidious gateway into the exploitation and enslavement of children,” said TNFFC. “We are eternally grateful to Senator Massey for the work she does every day to protect children.”