Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Robert Sorrell
Star Correspondent
Renea Jones, a Unicoi County Republican, has thrown her hat into the race to become the Tennessee state representative for the 4th District.
On Thursday evening, Jones announced her candidacy during an event at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce. Jones hopes to win the seat currently held by State Rep. John Holsclaw, who is a candidate for the Carter County assessor of property.
“It’s been a dream of mine to do something like this and step out and make this run,” said Jones, a co-owner of Jones & Church Farms in Unicoi.
Jones’ father started the farming business and she has worked on the farm for decades.
“He taught me so much,” Jones said. “He taught me that if it’s important to you, use your voice.”
Jones said she will take her conservative values to Nashville to serve the district.
“My conservative principles are grounded in faith, family and freedom,” Jones said. “I believe in limited government, the sanctity of life and the fundamental right to bear arms.”
Jones supports farmers, who she said “feed our nation.”
“I’m a champion for agriculture,” she said. “I have advocated for agriculture ever since the early ’90s.”
Jones has also been a supporter of local education and served on the school board in Unicoi County for 12 years, including eight years as chairman.
When it comes to education, Jones said, “It’s not a one size fits all. Education is so different depending on where you’re at in the state.”
Jones told supporters she will support policies that educate students for the “jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow.”
The candidate also supports the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
“So blessed to have TCAT in this area,” said Jones, who added that she also has a goal of bringing a TCAT facility to Unicoi County. TCAT currently has a facility in Elizabethton.
The 4th District, which covers all of Unicoi County and a large portion of Carter County, features many natural wonders. Jones said there is beauty from the “Nolichucky River to Watauga Lake to Roan Mountain.”
“We are blessed to have such beautiful natural resources,” said Jones, who added that the state must be “good stewards of our land.”
On the economy, Jones said the state must work on economic growth and the “revitalization of our economy.” She said she supports local businesses and will look for new businesses to “enhance what we already have.”