Bennett Lapides
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Bennett Lapides (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 1st Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 1, 2024.
Lapides completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Bennett Lapides was born in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Warren Wilson College in 2020. His professional experience includes working in information technology support and repair. Lapides is a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2024
Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Democratic primary)
Tennessee's 1st Congressional District election, 2024 (August 1 Republican primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Tennessee District 1
Incumbent Diana Harshbarger defeated Kevin Jenkins, Richard Baker, Levi Brake, and Wisdom Zerit Teklay in the general election for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Diana Harshbarger (R) | 78.1 | 257,530 | |
Kevin Jenkins (D) | 19.4 | 63,949 | ||
Richard Baker (Independent) | 1.7 | 5,707 | ||
Levi Brake (Independent) | 0.8 | 2,634 | ||
Wisdom Zerit Teklay (Wisdom People Party) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 |
Total votes: 329,820 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Marissa King (Independent)
- Joshua Ray Ashburn (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1
Kevin Jenkins defeated Bennett Lapides in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Kevin Jenkins | 67.8 | 5,179 | |
Bennett Lapides | 32.2 | 2,460 |
Total votes: 7,639 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Zachary Stamper (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1
Incumbent Diana Harshbarger advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Tennessee District 1 on August 1, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Diana Harshbarger | 100.0 | 52,190 |
Total votes: 52,190 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Lapides in this election.
2020
See also: Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12
Incumbent Dale Carr defeated Bennett Lapides in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Dale Carr (R) | 81.3 | 23,858 | |
Bennett Lapides (D) | 18.7 | 5,502 |
Total votes: 29,360 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12
Bennett Lapides advanced from the Democratic primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Bennett Lapides | 100.0 | 930 |
Total votes: 930 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12
Incumbent Dale Carr advanced from the Republican primary for Tennessee House of Representatives District 12 on August 6, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Dale Carr | 100.0 | 6,675 |
Total votes: 6,675 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
Campaign themes
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 13, 2024 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Bennett Lapides completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lapides' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|Growing up near the Great Smoky Mountains, I've always cherished East Tennessee's natural beauty and close-knit communities. For over sixty years, my family has run small businesses here, giving me a firsthand understanding of entrepreneurship's challenges and rewards.
In 2013, I represented my high school at Tennessee American Legion Boys State and attended an International Relations Academy at Georgetown University. I graduated from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School in 2014 and earned my Eagle Scout Award, building a weather sensor station for my elementary school. In 2020, I graduated from Warren Wilson College with a degree in History and Political Science. My time there reinforced my commitment to making a positive impact and equipped me with valuable skills.
I began my political journey in 2017, joining the Sevier County Democratic Party's Executive Committee. From 2017 to 2023, I served as the District Representative for Gatlinburg and was unanimously elected Vice Chair in 2023. In 2020, I was the Democratic Party's Nominee for TN State House District 12.
Currently, I work as the Technology Director for the Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains Sevierville Club. Working with our club kids, and wanting to do everything that I can to ensure they get to continue to grow up in a free country is what made me decide to run for office again this cycle.
- As an Eagle Scout who grew up next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I am deeply committed to combating the climate crisis to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all. I support strong legislation to invest in renewable energy technologies and phase out fossil fuels, emphasizing low-carbon solutions like nuclear power. Additionally, I advocate for an expanded American Climate Corps to create jobs and tackle critical environmental projects. Protecting our planet is not just an option but a necessity for our generation and those to come.
- Investing in education is investing in our future. I support increased funding for public schools to ensure all students have access to quality education, modern technology, and well-paid, dedicated teachers. I oppose voucher programs that divert funds from public schools and advocate for affordable higher education and ongoing student debt reform. Early childhood education is vital, and I will push for policies that expand access to it. By strengthening our education system, we can empower the next generation to thrive and succeed.
- Healthcare is a human right, and I am committed to ensuring everyone has access to affordable, quality care. I support capping the costs of lifesaving medicines and believe the government should negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies to control rising costs. Expanding access to mental healthcare is crucial, as is ensuring transparency in public health initiatives to maintain trust. By advocating for comprehensive healthcare reforms, we can create a system that works for all Americans, not just the wealthy.
I am passionate about several key areas of public policy. Firstly, the environment and the climate crisis are top priorities. Growing up next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has instilled a deep commitment to conservation and renewable energy solutions. Secondly, education is vital. I advocate for increased funding for public schools, affordable higher education, and expanded access to early childhood education. Lastly, healthcare is a fundamental right. I support affordable, quality healthcare for all, including capping drug costs and expanding mental health services. Together, we can build a better future.
Futurama - A Taste of Freedom
Honesty, a willingness to listen, and a willingness to admit when you're wrong.
I remember being in kindergarten when 9/11 happened. None of us knew what was happening but one by one our parents were picking us up from school early and taking us home. Later on they gave us all this cartoon-style book that explained the America had been attacked, and I remember watching the subsequent wars begin to play out on TV.
I worked at the Rhythm Section, a record shop in Gatlinburg, in high-school. I think it was about 2 years?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. 42.
The Climate Crisis is the greatest threat faced not only by the United States, but by the entire world. We must help lead the way to a more sustainable future.
Term limits are a great idea, but something that must be implemented alongside other electoral reforms, such as banning partisan gerrymandering.
Yes, compromise is essential for us to have a functional democracy.
Small Business, Natural Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Lapides’s campaign website stated the following:
“ |
Environment & Energy Protect our Planet Education for a Brighter Future Commitment to Public Schools
Championing Small Business Healthcare: A Right, Not a Privilege Universal Healthcare Access Global Leadership and Alliances
Championing Civil Rights
Modernizing Transportation
Fostering Technological Advancements
|
” |
—Bennett Lapides’s campaign website (2024)[3] |
2020
Bennett Lapides completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Lapides' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|I was born and raised in Sevier County, and have a strong desire to serve my community as a way of giving back to it. Growing up as a Boy Scout next to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park instilled a deep respect for nature, and showed me that we must take the necessary steps to protect the environment for future generations. For the last three years, I've been splitting my time between my hometown of Gatlinburg and Asheville, NC, where I was attending Warren Wilson College. This past May I finished my degree and have been able to return to Sevier County full time. With the things I have learned over the past few years, I hope to help to build a better future for all Tennesseans.
- Protect and Preseve the Environment
- Legalize and tax both Medical and Recreational Cannabis.
- Expand Rural Broadband
I'm passionate about a variety of policy areas, but like many of my generation, the looming Climate Crisis is easily my top priority. The entire tourist economy of my hometown of Gatlinburg is based on our connection to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and I believe we must take action to continue to preserve it in the face of climate change. Aside from the environment, I'm also passionate about helping to end the failed 'War on Drugs', bring better infrastructure like rural broadband to more parts of the state, and the continued improvement upon our educational and healthcare systems.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate U.S. House Tennessee District 1 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 22, 2020
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Bennett Lapides’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed July 18, 2024