Jan. 21, 2025
Johnson City Board of Education
Passes a resolution opposing vouchers, with every member present voting yes. A board member urges parents to call Rep. Tim Hicks.
9 days later Hicks votes YES to create vouchers.
He sent our tax dollars to private schools.
Twice.
54–44
Created statewide school vouchers. Voted YES.
Jan. 30, 2025 · HB6004 · $409 million in year one
52–43
Expanded them to 35,000 students. Voted YES.
Apr. 13, 2026 · HB2532 · 50 votes needed
What's a voucher? The state takes about $7,000 in tax money per student and pays it toward private school tuition. That's money stolen from our public schools and siphoned off into private pockets.
Our school boards said no.
He voted yes anyway.
Apr. 2, 2026
Washington County Board of Education
Votes unanimously against expanding vouchers, to a standing ovation. "That's 150 more million dollars that could and should be used for public education."
11 days later Hicks votes YES to expand them.
Washington County's other state representative, Republican Rebecca Alexander, voted NO both times. So did neighboring Republicans David Hawk of Greene County and Renea Jones of Unicoi. Tim Hicks sided with his party over his own people.
On women and families, he voted no
Voted against protecting IVF and birth control
It passed anyway. Every one of the 37 no votes was a Republican. He was one of them.
HB533 · Apr. 2025 · 54–37Voted NO
Blocked a hearing on abortion exceptions for rape and incest
He voted not to even discuss allowing an abortion in cases of rape, incest, or a medical emergency.
HB179 · Mar. 2025 · 23–65Voted NO
Voted against paid leave for new foster parents
Six weeks off for state workers who take in a foster child. It needed 50 votes and got 44. He voted no.
HB1554 · Apr. 2024 · 44–42Voted NO
His business. His bills.
He writes the laws for his own industry
Tim Hicks is a homebuilder who writes the rules for homebuilders. His bills save builders like him money today, and hand the bill to taxpayers tomorrow.
Make taxpayers pay developers over zoning
Developers could demand payment from our city and county when new zoning rules lower a property's value, plus their attorney fees. The Home Builders Association testified for it. He pulled it after the backlash.
HB1837 · 2026 · withdrawnHis bill
Cheaper to build now. Ours to maintain later.
Subdivisions around Johnson City can now be built to looser county rules. Developers save and make bank. Taxpayers will foot the bill tomorrow.
HB1720 · 2026 · now lawHis bill
Let lenders charge you 36% interest
He voted to raise the cap on what installment lenders can charge on personal loans, from 30% to 36% a year. Those loans go to people who can't get a regular bank loan. Even eight Republicans voted no.
HB775 · 2025 · 61–26Voted YES
Could result in a significant increase in expenditures to state and local government.
The state's own fiscal note on his HB1837
Can you still afford to live here?
Homes cost more.
Paychecks didn't keep up.
Since Tim Hicks took office:
+56%typical home price here
$285,925 → $447,000
$285,925 → $447,000
+24%typical household income here
$52,088 → $64,816
$52,088 → $64,816
Young families and people who grew up here are being priced out of Washington County. The state had $60 million to help first-time buyers. He voted for the budget that cut it, and spent his time writing laws that save builders money.
Speaker Sexton's vote.
Every time.
Tim Hicks votes the way House Speaker Cameron Sexton wants and how the party tells him to. That's not representation and doesn't serve the people of Washington County.
99.5%
of the time he voted with Speaker Cameron Sexton
8,984 of 9,031 shared votes, 2021–2026
$1.4 billion
in tax refunds for corporations. Voted YES.
2024 · HB1893 · paid to 58,487 businesses
Meanwhile, Tennessee still taxes your groceries. Every bill to end that tax has died in committee. Corporations got their money back. You still pay tax on milk and bread.
There's a better choice
Tim Hicks works for Nashville.
Brad Batt works for us.
Brad Batt is a dad and a small business owner who built his business and raised his family right here. He's never taken a dime of corporate money, and he'll answer to his neighbors, not Nashville. Most of all, he's tired of watching the Republicans who run this state look after everyone except the people who live here.
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Tim HicksSent our tax dollars to private schools. Twice.
Brad BattWill end vouchers for good and put every dollar into the public schools building Northeast Tennessee's future.
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Tim HicksVoted against protecting IVF and birth control.
Brad BattWill protect IVF, birth control, and women's reproductive rights.
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Tim HicksVoted against paid leave for new foster parents.
Brad BattWill fight for paid family leave for everyone, not just state employees.
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Tim HicksVoted for the budget that cut $60 million for first-time homebuyers.
Brad BattWill expand down payment help so first-time buyers here can buy a home and build a future for their family.
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Tim HicksVoted for $1.4 billion in corporate tax refunds. Your groceries are still taxed.
Brad BattWill abolish the grocery tax. No one should pay a tax to feed their family.
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Tim HicksVotes with Speaker Sexton 99.5% of the time.
Brad BattWill put Washington County and working families first, not Nashville and not corporate donors.
Washington County deserves someone who works for us.
Oct 5Last day to register
Oct 14–29Early voting
Nov 3Election Day