Democratic candidate for State House District 34 Luke E. Dickerson, has earned the endorsement of the Fund for Children and Public Education. This district is in the Rockvale area where Rick Womick (R) is now in office. There is also confusion in the new 37th district that will be added to Rutherford County after the November 2nd election. 

Luke Dickerson

Dickerson is an English as a second language teacher and Science Coach with a proven record of success at Northfield Elementary in the Murfreesboro City Schools district. Dickerson comes from a long line of teachers and became interested in the field as a Youth Leader at Eagleville Baptist Church. He has his Master's degree in education from Middle Tennessee State Universityalong with his ESL endorsement from David Lipscomb University.

Dickerson decided to enter the State House race when drastic changes to education were being made in the current state legislature. Tennesseeis currently sending millions of dollars of educational funding out of state. Dickerson discovered he would soon spend four months out of the school year devoted to testing students because of the state's new multi-million dollar "Critical Response Assessment," and a beloved hands-on science program would also be cut due to lack of funding.

New 37th District Nears

There seems to be some confusion about new local state house disctircts. Rutherford County is currently represented by four representatives and two senators in the state Legislature, but will see a shift in representation following the November 2nd election, because of redistricting brought about by the 2010 Census. The 62nd District currently served by Republican Pat Marsh of Shelbyville will be redrawn out of the Rutherford county, with a new 37th District will be added.