Tennessee House of Representatives District 61 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Tennessee, 2022

---

On the ballot:  • U.S. House • Governor • State Senate • State House • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 61 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 61

Gino Bulso defeated Steven Cervantes in the general election for Tennessee House of Representatives District 61 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gino Bulso (R)	65.9	16,733
		Steven Cervantes (D)	34.1	8,644

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 25,377
= 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.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Steven Cervantes (D)

QUALITY HEALTHCARE - Getting older is something we all do. So let's enjoy it along the way! With nearly 60% or more our of retirement assets being spent on healthcare, Steven will sponsor initiatives that support our healthcare professionals while not breaking the bank at home.

AFFORABLE LIVING - As one of the wealthiest counties in the country, college educated families are finding it difficult to maintain their quality of living. Steven will find programs to support families and their loved ones in search of an affordable community.

STRONG SCHOOLS - The wonder of education is that generations after us will know so much more than we will ever know and that's the greatest gift! Steven makes the commitment to focus on the best education programs that strongly support our teachers and students.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Steven Cervantes (D)

Steven is listening. Many politicians get up there and just say what they want without ever considering the needs of the community. Steven has a different belief. Steven feels it is more important is listen first and learn what the community values. After all, it is the interests of the community Steven is representing and Steven will promote those interests for reasonable legislation with meaningful change!

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Steven Cervantes (D)

My father! A career Marine who taught me the value of service-before-self.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Steven Cervantes (D)

Listening to the people and following through with what you say you are going to do.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Steven Cervantes (D)

Always work in the best interest of the people.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Steven Cervantes (D)

The United States landing on the moon. Just a kid!

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Steven Cervantes (D)

Newspaper Delivery Boy over the Summer

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Steven Cervantes (D)

As Representatives of the people, we have the opportunity to work in their best interest at all times. The Governor and State Legislature are most effective when we remember to listen to the needs of the community and work to implement reasonable legislation with meaningful change!

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Steven Cervantes (D)

With so many wonderful things to experience in our State, Tennessee is experiencing rapid growth and development. Reasonable and measured infrastructure development is important to maintain our quality of life and affordable place to call home. We also need to support our education system and bring high tech paying jobs home.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Steven Cervantes (D)

With a unicameral system that tends to be more consensus. But with this consensus, we overlook the advantage of constructive debate. Through this debate, we have the opportunity to listen, learn, and critically think about the impact of legislation we are implementing.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Steven Cervantes (D)

It is important to listen to the people. It is important to have experience as a thoughtful, creative, and cooperative representative who is working in the best interests of the community.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Steven Cervantes (D)

It is important to build relationships so that effective programs can be implemented.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Steven Cervantes (D)

It is important to have representation that is forward thinking and designed to promote the interests of the community.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Steven Cervantes (D)

Commerce, Finance Ways and Means, Education, and Heath Committees

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Steven Cervantes (D)

I am currently interested in representing the people living in District 61, Williamson County.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Steven Cervantes (D)

We live in one of the wealthiest counties in the country, yet college educated residents are finding it harder to find an affordable living. Many highly educated young adults are struggling with enormous debt from school while at the same time working to save money for a down payment for a place to call home. Many young professionals are forced to live with their parents who are also struggling with increased healthcare costs and daily costs of living. I believe we should promote programs that support our young adults so they can balance the expense of education with the security of having a home. And we need to provide programs that support our healthcare professionals without breaking the bank at home.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Steven Cervantes (D)

A compromise is sometimes viewed as a concession. Steven has a different view. Steven believes that communication, collaboration, and cooperation are key aspects of success for the community. This is where all participants gain something of benefit.

See also

More about these elections:

• Tennessee House of Representatives elections, 2022

Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:

District 1District 2District 3District 4District 5District 6District 7District 8District 9District 10District 11District 12District 13District 14District 15District 16District 17District 18District 19District 20District 21District 22District 23District 24District 25District 26District 27District 28District 29District 30District 31District 32District 33District 34District 35District 36District 37District 38District 39District 40District 41District 42District 43District 44District 45District 46District 47District 48District 49District 50District 51District 52District 53District 54District 55District 56District 57District 58District 59District 60District 61District 62District 63District 64District 65District 66District 67District 68District 69District 70District 71District 72District 73District 74District 75District 76District 77District 78District 79District 80District 81District 82District 83District 84District 85District 86District 87District 88District 89District 90District 91District 92District 93District 94District 95District 96District 97District 98District 99Submit