JB Smiley in 2022 TN Governor's race
On Abortion:
Women have right to choose what's best for their own bodies
Smiley mentioned Tennessee having some major issues he wants to focus on including violent crime rates, access to healthcare, women's rights and many other issues. Smiley also mentions that under his leadership,
Tennesseans will have access to health care no matter where they live and women will have the right to choose what is best for their own bodies.
Source: Citizen Tribune on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Nov 24, 2021
On Principles & Values:
Organized community prayer service over youth gun violence
Pastors gathered to preach about unity and forgiveness. The city is on track to break the 2020 homicide record of 332. This year there have been 297 homicides. Councilman JB Smiley organized the community prayer service at
New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. Councilman Smiley, who is running for governor of Tennessee, said the key to making change is community involvement.
Source: FOX13Memphis on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Nov 23, 2021
On Gun Control:
One priority is to overturn permitless carry legislation
One of Smiley's priorities if elected will be to overturn the current administration's permitless carry legislation, a move that seemed more for political favor than furthering anyone's rights.A study conducted by
Vanderbilt University last year showed that nearly 60 percent of Tennesseans did not support that legislation. That it was a priority in the midst of so many real problems Tennesseans face reveals out of touch motives and government irrelevance.
Source: The Tennessee Tribune on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 28, 2021
On Civil Rights:
Raise the bar for marginalized communities, not only Blacks
Smiley pointed out that the issues aren't limited to race and are often mirrored in other marginalized communities. "If we figure out how to raise the bar for marginalized communities, we are speaking to not only Black people but also to a lot of rural
Tennesseans," he said. "The issues in Black communities will be the issues in other marginalized communities or rural communities that have been forgotten about."
Source: Tri-State Defender on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 14, 2021
On Crime:
Fought for transparency in the Memphis Police Department
A stark champion for racial equity, Smiley also fought for transparency in the Memphis Police Department, calling for a portal that highlighted complaints against police, including excessive force and the misuse or lack of dash cams.
Subsequently, the city launched "Reimagining Policing in Memphis" Inspections Services Bureau portal, where the public easily can now access the findings.
Source: Tri-State Defender on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 14, 2021
On Health Care:
Pro-vaccination/pro-mask mandate, shouldn't be political
Tennessee is considered one of the states with the highest number of COVID-19 cases and the death rate has recently increased, making the state No. 11 in the nation in deaths caused by the virus. Smiley, who is pro-vaccination and pro-mask mandates,
said the role of government is to do what's best for the general welfare of all Tennesseans, even if some disagree. "These things should not be political," Smiley asserted. "We should listen to the experts and do what's best for the greater good."
Source: Tri-State Defender on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 14, 2021
On Jobs:
On choice of jobs or higher wages, I'm going to choose jobs
Councilman JB Smiley Jr.--who recently announced his campaign to be the Democratic challenger to Gov. Bill Lee--said he was inclined to trust the EDGE and chamber leaders, just like he trusted doctors on whether or not to implement a mask mandate. "All
of the experts tell us, if we do this, we'll lose jobs," Smiley said. "If we have to choose between jobs and higher wages, I'm going to choose jobs."
Source: MLK50 blog on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Oct 7, 2021
On Gun Control:
High standards for gun ownership critical to public safety
Violent crime is not something that is confined to the inner-city. It plagues every corner of Tennessee as we saw with the violence today in Collierville. However, peace of mind does not come with more handguns in the hands of more untrained and
unpermitted people. I stand with the law enforcement community and the overwhelming majority of gun owners who agree that high safety standards for gun ownership and common-sense rules for carrying weapons are critical to keeping our communities safe.
Source: 2022 Tennessee Governor campaign website VoteJBSmiley.com
Sep 23, 2021
On Tax Reform:
Tax increases need will of the people to support it
Smiley, who abstained, agreed that a tax raise is necessary to bolster city services like trash collection but said the public support is currently insufficient. "If you ask people about their thoughts on city services, they're going to tell you
they think it's poor," Smiley said. "But those same people who said city service is poor will also say they don't want a tax increase-- When you have issues so polarizing as a tax increase, you have to have the will of the people to support it."
Source: MLK50 blog on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Jun 15, 2021
On Education:
Opposed defunding schools teaching critical race theory
Memphis City Council members are opposing a state bill that bans critical race theory from being taught in public schools. The bill removes funding from schools that teach critical race theory. JB Smiley tweeted, "Today, @MEM_Council passed a
resolution opposing HB 580/SB623, which removes funding from institutions who teach critical race theory. It is intellectually dishonest to remove discussions that bring awareness about how race impacts individuals and society." -- @jbsmileyjr
Source: FOX13 Memphis News on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Mar 19, 2021
On Energy & Oil:
Opposed pipeline threatening local aquifer, neighborhoods
In a resolution sponsored by Councilmen Dr. Jeff Warren, Edmund Ford, Sr., and JB Smiley, Jr., the Memphis City Council made their sentiments known by publicly opposing the pipeline and unanimously voting in favor of the resolution.
The resolution acknowledges the threat of the pipeline to the aquifer and that its placement in a predominantly African American community further impacts neighborhoods that have been disproportionately impacted by industrial development.
Source: ABC24 News on 2022 Tennessee Gubernatorial race
Mar 17, 2021
On Government Reform:
Initiated sending voter registration with utility bills
When people start a new utility account at Memphis, Light, Gas and Water, they'll be getting a voter registration card. The initiative is the brainchild of Smiley, who wanted to make it easier for people to register to vote. "This past election,
we saw the highest local turnout in recent years. It is my hope that this initiative builds on that momentum and continues this trend for years to come. Additionally, we hope to keep people actively engaged in the political process," Smiley said.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal on 2022 Tennessee Governor race
Feb 5, 2021
On Crime:
Opposed added federal law enforcement presence in Memphis
Some on the Memphis City Council aren't pleased by the increased presence of federal law enforcement in the city. Smiley was among the 20 or so people who gathered in opposition to the operation. "We do not want a federal occupation in the city of
Memphis. Memphis city government should not be walking hand-in-hand with a president who has called white supremacists 'very fine people'. We should not be walking hand-in-hand with a president who has demonized cities like ours," Smiley said.
Source: Memphis Commercial Appeal on 2022 Tennessee Governor race
Aug 14, 2020
Page last updated: Sep 23, 2022