Image Credit: beckymassey.com
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
In October, Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R-Knoxville-District 6) announced her run for re-election to the Tennessee Senate, but her voting record is not winning her very many points amongst conservatives as she faces opposition by way of conservative candidate Monica Irvine in this upcoming election.
Following Sen. Massey’s re-election announcement, Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) headlined a fundraiser luncheon in support of the Knoxville lawmaker.
“Of course Bill Lee wants more lefty Republicans like himself,” reads a recent Dailyrollcall op-ed.
As a self-proclaimed conservative republican, Sen. Massey has maintained a “troubling” voting record since she was elected to office in 2011.
This includes not voting in favor of parental rights or school choice and instead choosing to support corporate welfare, toll roads, and weaker abortion laws. Sen. Massey has also voted against medical freedom and was part of Gov. Lee’s “inner circle” on gun control legislation.
In 2022 she voted in favor of Sen. Richard Briggs’ (R-Knoxville-District 7) HPV vaccine legislation.
SB0148 was a failed caption bill that would have authorized healthcare providers to not only treat minors for STDS, but also would’ve allowed them to provide “treatment to a minor to prevent STDs, without the knowledge or consent of the parents or legal guardians of the minor.”
Back in 2017, Sen. Massey helped push through former Gov. Haslam’s “IMPROVE Act” as a member of the Senate Transportation & Safety Committee.
This led to a 7-cent tax increase per gallon of gasoline and a 12-cent tax increase per gallon of diesel in Tennessee.
In 2023 as Chair of that same committee, Sen. Massey helped push through Gov. Lee’s “Transportation Modernization Act” which included plans for “choice lanes” or toll roads through public-private partnerships.
Sen. Massey’s political connections were also called into question in this recent op-ed.
“Surely it didn’t make a difference in Duncan Massey’s name recognition that her father [John J. Duncan Sr.] was Knoxville’s mayor for five years,” reads the opinion piece, “followed by a 23-year stint (1965-1988), in the U.S. House of Representatives, and then have that seat inherited and occupied by Massey’s brother [John J. Duncan Jr.] for another ten years.”
Additionally, the author of this piece points out that former Gov. Haslam (R-TN) was also elected in 2011 after being endorsed by Sen. Massey’s father and brother.
At the time, Haslam also named former U.S. Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. or “Jimmy” Duncan, one of his campaign’s Honorary Campaign Co-Chairmen.
Sen. Massey claims to be conservative that reflects family values and the values of her constituents, but her voting record seems to display a lukewarm approach to conservatism at best.
Conservative candidate Monica Irvine will be on the ballot this year, offering an alternative to Sen. Massey for District 6.
Knox County’s Primary Election will take place Thursday, August 1st, 2024. The General Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee.
You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.