Tennessee House District 78 includes Cheatham County and part of Dickson County in Middle Tennessee.¶
President Donald Trump won both counties with more than 70 percent of the vote two years ago, and one of his education priorities has become a major issue dividing candidates in next month’s House District 78 GOP primary. The 2024 GOP platform that Trump ran on included support for allowing families to use tax dollars for private school expenses, and as a continuation of that, he publicly supported Tennessee’s Education Freedom Scholarship program.¶
Republicans Perry Keenan and John Louallen qualified for next month’s House District 78 GOP primary for the open seat, but only Keenan supports the Education Freedom Scholarship program.¶
Supporting the Union Position
During the campaign, Louallen has made comments opposing the Education Freedom Scholarship, and this week one of its biggest opponents, the Tennessee Education Association, sent out mailers that specifically cited his position on the program for an endorsement.¶
As part of an ongoing series, the Tennessee Firefly reached out to both candidates in the GOP primary, with questions about key education issues the General Assembly will grapple with next year, including whether to expand the Education Freedom Scholarship program.¶
Louallen told the Firefly that he has concerns about oversight, while Keenan expressed support for expansion.¶
“I do not support expanding the Education Freedom Scholarship Program as it currently exists,” Louallen said. “My concerns center on fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. The program is directing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to private education while providing taxpayers with significantly less public oversight than is required of traditional public schools. Before considering any expansion, Tennesseans deserve clear reporting on how public funds are being spent and whether the program is achieving the outcomes that were promised. I believe strengthening Tennessee's public schools should remain a top priority.”¶
“As a state representative, part of our job is making sure we are being good stewards of the money we have been blessed with. Tennessee is currently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the number one most financially sound state in the Union. That didn't happen by accident. We are smart with our money. We don't overspend, and we make sure our general fund and rainy-day fund are well-equipped for potential economic downturns,” Keenan said. “As with any program, whether it's Education Freedom Scholarships, infrastructure needs through TDOT, or funding education, we have a duty to make sure we are staying well within our means. I'm thankful we get to make these decisions on an annual basis to make sure we are positioning Tennessee to be financially successful in the future. I'm not opposed to expanding the project so long as we are remaining financially responsible and not putting a financial burden on Tennessee taxpayers in the future.”¶
Other Key Education Issues
Polls routinely show education is among the top priorities for Tennessee voters, and Firefly staff additionally asked each candidate how they would improve student outcomes.¶
Keenan stressed the importance of high expectations and funding, while Louallen discussed his support for career pathway programs.¶
“Education should remain one of Tennessee's top priorities because it directly impacts our workforce, economy, and communities. I believe we need to continue supporting our teachers, reducing unnecessary bureaucracy, expanding career and technical education opportunities, and ensuring every student has access to a high-quality public education,” Louallen said. “As a former Chairman of the Cheatham County School Board, I worked to improve school safety, expand school choice through district-wide open enrollment, strengthen career pathways, and develop a long-term strategic plan for our schools. I also believe we should focus on early literacy, provide additional support for students who are struggling before they fall behind, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in classrooms where they have the greatest impact.”¶
“It is critically important. Not just as a general rule, but in order to make sure our education system is consistently producing results that give all of our students a chance to be our best and brightest,” Keenan said. “There is a multi-pronged approach that needs to be considered in order to be successful. Funding is key. And conversations I've had with several educators let me know just how important it is for us to stop teaching to the test. We need to take the guardrails off and let teachers do what they do best - teach! When we do that, enthusiasm and excitement will permeate through the classroom, kids will become more engaged, and that helps produce our best and brightest!”¶
Expanding Public Charter Schools
House District 78 does not have a public charter school, though the state continues to see more charter applications in suburban communities each year. Charters are free public schools run by a non-profit under a “charter” with a school district or the state.¶
Keenan expressed support for charter schools to the Tennessee Firefly while Louallen appeared to offer reservations about the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission. That board steps in when local school districts fail to comply with state law in charter approvals.¶
“I support allowing local communities to determine whether charter schools are appropriate for their area,” Louallen said. “Decisions about charter schools should involve local school boards, parents, and community stakeholders rather than being dictated from Nashville. Every community has different educational needs, and local leaders are in the best position to determine what works for their students.”¶
“I'm definitely open to looking at any educational opportunities that are tailored to individual student success,” Keenan said. “Far too often kids get thrown into a one-size-fits-all education system. We need to move away from that mindset and be more open to whatever it takes that will get kids more engaged, improve their testing ability, and better equip them for the real world after high school.”¶
Reducing Barriers to Open Enrollment
This year, lawmakers came close to passing legislation that would make it easier for families to enroll their children in school districts outside of the one they’re zoned for, sometimes called open enrollment.¶
This is one issue on which Keenan and Louallen appeared to agree, as both candidates expressed support for open enrollment.¶
“Yes. I support open enrollment,” Louallen said. “During my eight years on the Cheatham County School Board, I helped implement district-wide open enrollment because I believe parents should have greater flexibility to choose the public school that best meets their child's educational needs. Expanding access to public school choice, while ensuring districts have the resources necessary to manage enrollment responsibly, is a policy I support.”¶
“Absolutely! That's been a challenge for Tennessee families and students all over this state,” Keenan said. “It would be great to have some help from the State with regards to legislation that would streamline parental choice. As I mentioned earlier, education is not a one-size-fits-all solution for Tennessee students. Parents need the flexibility to be able to send their kids out of zone when needed and to do it without red tape standing in the way!”¶
Competition in the General Election
The winner of the GOP primary will face one of two Democrats who qualified to be on the August primary ballot. Hillary Capes-Gwinn and Aniya Farmer are running in the House District 78 Democratic primary.¶
Representative Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, has held the House District 78 seat since 2012, but chose not to run for re-election this year.¶
