I’m running for State Senate in the 12th District to voice conservative Tennessee values, exercise independent judgment and put our district’s needs first. We need more jobs, lower taxes, better educational opportunities and to protect our family farms. As your Senator, I pledge to defend the most vulnerable in society – especially the elderly and unborn.

I won’t just talk about principles of hard work, determination and courage, you’ll see them in my actions. As Roane County Executive for 24 years, the people placed their faith in me to work for solutions to make life better for themselves and their families. I’m humbled by their support, and promise to continue to work hard in Nashville as your State Senator.

February 11, 2008 - Friends and fellow citizens, thank you for being here. My family and I are honored by your presence and humbled by your support.Today I make it official: I am a candidate for the Republican nomination for the Tennessee State Senate from the 12th Senatorial district! With your help, come next January, I will take the oath of office as your next State Senator.

In less than one year-on November 4, 2008-we have an opportunity to make history. We will elect a Republican state Senator from the 12th District and in so doing secure a Republican majority in the Tennessee State Senate. Having a Republican majority in the State Senate will make a positive difference for our families, farmers and small businesses.

The 12th Senatorial District includes six of the finest counties in East Tennessee: Campbell , Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane and Scott Counties . Because each of these counties is important I plan to visit each one today to personally make my announcement.

Although these six counties are physically different from one another, my visits have shown me that they are nonetheless unified by a common desire of the people for a better life not only for themselves but for their children. My travels throughout the district tell me that the citizens expect their Senator to be his own man, beholden to none, and reflect their common sense values.

I am that man, a Senator who will reflect conservative Tennessee values, exercise independent judgment and put his constituents’ needs first.

Like my constituents:

I believe in the promise of the free enterprise system. In America, any individual, with hard work and determination, can succeed at whatever he or she tries. The state has a responsibility to support our economic system with an example of fiscal responsibility. I’ll work to keep government lean and taxes low. I will not support an income tax.

I believe in the absolute necessity of a faith in God, the importance of the family and the sanctity of life. The State must take seriously its responsibility to protect all people-the unborn, the young, the middle-aged and the elderly. I will stand up for the most vulnerable-the unborn and the elderly.

I believe in the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and will resist any attempt to infringe on 12th District citizen’s Second Amendment rights.

These shared values, for me, were shaped at an early age by my Mother’s example. A child during the Depression, she had to quit school in the sixth grade to support her brothers and sister.

She and my Dad supported me and my three sisters by operating a grocery out of the basement of our four room house. But Dad died when I was four leaving Mom to support the family. She never complained and never failed to demonstrate to her children the importance of keeping her faith. Mom took a second job, teaching me about the dignity of work. And maybe because she never finished school she appreciated the value of education and encouraged me go get the best possible education I could.

As I deal with issues in Nashville , I will be guided by these core principles.

And here are many issues we will face in the next four years:

Job creation, providing quality educational opportunities for our both children and adults, finding affordable health care and partnering with local communities to improve roads and provide basic services.

I offer a demonstrated record of competence, integrity and ability to partner with people to accomplish results. I will take what I learned from 24 years in the Roane County Executive’s office to promote economic development. As a former classroom teacher in the public schools and an instructor at Bryan College and Roane State Community College , I will work to improve educational opportunities for both our children and adults as well. From my years of service on the county Board of Health and local community action agency, I have seen first hand how devastating it is not to have health insurance. I will work with the Speaker to ease this burden on our families.

And I will remember the forgotten one in Tennessee politics, the farmer, because the farm family is the backbone in many of our rural communities throughout the district.

I am asking the voters for the opportunity to serve in the State Senate to find solutions to these and the other challenges we shall face. I am optimistic that we can find these solutions because I believe in the ability of Tennesseans everywhere.

I need your help and am asking for your support. I invite every citizen in this district to join our campaign. In return, I’ll work hard to earn your trust. I will not be outworked in this campaign.

I believe in the American Dream. Where else but in America could a kid from a working class family get a good education, be elected Roane county Executive six consecutive times and stand before you now as the next Senator from the 12th Senatorial District.

As your Senator I won’t just talk about principles of hard work, determination and courage, you’ll see them in my actions.

The race to victory has begun. With your vote and support we will win a victory for the people of this great East Tennessee district.

Thank you and God bless you.

- Ken Yager

HARRIMAN, TN – Tennessee 12^th District State Senate candidate Ken Yager outpolled Democratic challenger Becky Ruppe by over 1,000 votes in Thursday, August 7th’s primary election. Yager who resides in Roane County received 8,394 votes from the six counties in Tennessee’s 12^th Senatorial District according to the Tennessee Division of Elections.

“I am pleased with the support I have received district wide,” Yager said. “These results show that the voters in the 12^th District are responding to my experience as Roane County’s Executive for twenty-four years. I believe they see my candidacy as an opportunity to bring conservative leadership for our East Tennessee values to Nashville.

Both candidates were named on the ballots of their respective party primaries. Neither candidate faced opposition for their party’s nomination.

Friday, Yager marked the start of the fall campaign with stops in Morgan and Scott Counties.  He visited the Morgan County Courthouse and local businesses in Wartburg and met with supporters for dinner in Oneida.