Kelly Keisling

Representative Kelly Keisling (R) has served in the Tennessee State House since 2011. Representative Keisling has a vote score of 62%, placing him #62-63 (tie) in a body of 99. He is #50-51 (tie) in leadership merits, giving him a grade of D.

Leadership grades are based on sponsorships, co-sponsorships, amendments, both meritorious (+) and deleterious (-), and other bold and courageous acts (+) or furtive, unprincipled acts (-). Keisling’s low leadership grade indicates a reluctance to co-sponsor bills which he later supports with his votes. Those co-sponsorships would significantly raise his grade.

TLRC scores and grades reflect the entire process, not just end results. We count every vote on every selected bill. Bills are selected for their value to ordinary Tennesseans, or their insult to those values. We encourage all General Assembly members to support the former and oppose the latter. When they don’t, they lose points.

Representative Keisling supported the following TLRC endorsed bills:

• HB1137/SB1197 – No restrictions on church activities in declared emergency. (passed)
• HB1749/SB2285 – Court decisions de novo, not based on a state agency’s interpretation. (passed)
• HB1867/SB1823 – Vaccine exemptions protected. (passed)
• HB1871/SB1982 – Recognition that natural immunity is equal or superior to vaccine. (passed)
• HB1960/SB1884 – Prohibits government vaccine mandates. (passed)
• HB2128/SB2245 – Election integrity measures. (weak) (passed)
• HB2222/SB2264 – Holds officials accountable for resettled refugees. (failed)
• HB2316/SB2153 – Prohibits biological males participating in girls’ sports. (passed)
• HB2331/SB2558 – Auditable paper trail voting machines. (passed) (This is not a fix; machines are controlled by software) 
• HB2454/SB2292 – Redefines “obscene” in K-12 educational material, making it criminally unlawful. (passed)
• HB2666/SB2247 – Requires Textbook Commission to provide a list of approved material to GA members. (passed)
• HB2742/SB2728 – Requires public high schools to teach the virtues of capitalism and the constitution. (failed)
• HB2746/SB2188 – Makes Ivermectin available over-the-counter. (passed)

Here are two TLRC-opposed bills that Representative Keisling also opposed:

• HB0204/SB0136 The Crown Act- protecting ethnic hairstyles in the work place. Unconstitutionally discriminatory to employers. Employees have a choice of for whom they work. (passed)
• HB2309/SB2464 – Allows professional licenses for illegal immigrants in Tennessee. (passed) (Keisling voted for this in committee but then voted against it on the floor).  https://tennesseestar.com/2022/04/13/tennessee-general-assembly-may-enable-illegal-immigrants-to-acquire-commercial-and-professional-licenses/

A TLRC-supported bill that Representative Keisling opposed:

• HB2067/SB2189 – Would reduce number of votes necessary to keep a minor party on ballot. https://tennesseestar.com/2021/03/16/state-house-subcommittee-rejects-bill-lowering-signature-requirement-to-recognize-minor-political-parties-in-tennessee/ 

 TLRC-opposed bills that Representative Keisling supported:

• HB1201/SB1005 Changes in campaign finance giving advantage to incumbents; limiting freedom of speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK5Ov35oRxI  (passed)
• HB2309/SB2464 – Allows professional licenses for illegal immigrants in Tennessee. (passed) (Keisling voted for this in committee but then voted against it on the floor).   https://tennesseestar.com/2022/04/13/tennessee-general-assembly-may-enable-illegal-immigrants-to-acquire-commercial-and-professional-licenses/

• HB2609/SB2890 – Cincinnati Reds 80% tax-break for Chattanooga farm team. (passed)
• HB2886/SB2901 – Provides $500M for Titans to build new stadium. (passed)
• HB8002/SB8002 – Provides $678,218,300 of taxpayer money for Ford to build an electric vehicle plant in W. TN  (passed)

All forms of corporate welfare should be opposed. Our state government should not be giving economic advantages to any public or private for-profit entities. Let the free market pick the winners and losers.

Jobs would come to Tennessee without these incentives if we were to reform meaningfully our education system and to educate our young instead of indoctrinating them. A well-educated workforce would be unique in America and every business would want to be in our right-to-work, no income tax state of Tennessee. Members should rethink these handouts.

Representative Keisling should always fight against bigger government and for constitutional principles. We need principled members to battle against government expansion, to protect our tenth amendment rights, and to make good policy decisions for ordinary Tennessean, not the monied elites. We are in crisis. We can and must do better.

By listing these bills, we hope that tells you what you need to know about your General Assembly members. We encourage you to reach out and let them know how you feel about the various issues and VOTE accordingly. To contact members, go to: https://www.capitol.tn.gov