Civic Conversations

Tennessee Forward Party Chair Nick Nugent on Third Parties, Ballot Access and Breaking the Two-Party Grip

August 8, 20262845

What is the Tennessee Forward Party? In this Season 4 Civic Conversation, Brandon Burley talks with Nick Nugent, chair of the Tennessee Forward Party, about what the Forward Party is, why it wants to challenge the two-party system, how third parties try to gain ballot access, and why the party believes Tennessee voters may be hungry for another option. The conversation covers open primaries, ranked-choice and approval voting, gerrymandering, local races, candidate endorsements, Lauren Pinkston, and the Forward Party’s long-term goal of building from the ground up. This is not a campaign ad. It is a civic conversation about how political parties form, how voters get choices and what it would take for a third party to become viable in Tennessee. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today . My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing , The Arizona Capitol Times , South Florida Sun Sentinel , Police1 , among other state and regional outlets. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

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Civic Conversations

Alliance Women’s Clinic: Breanna Houston on Faith, Pregnancy Support and a New Lenoir City Mission

For Breanna Houston, the debate over abortion is not theoretical. At 18 years old, away at college and frightened about what an unexpected pregnancy might mean for her future, she had an abortion. Years later, after becoming a Christian and walking through a post-abortion Bible study, she began confronting the grief, shame and questions she had carried with her. That experience now shapes the work she believes she has been called to do. In this Season 4 Civic Conversation, Brandon Burley speaks with Houston about the planned Alliance Women’s Clinic in downtown Lenoir City—a nonprofit, Christian pregnancy center intended to provide free services and support to women and families facing pregnancy-related decisions. Houston explains how her personal story, faith and previous nonprofit work led her to Alliance Family Services, a growing national network of pregnancy centers. She describes the planned clinic, its fundraising and construction needs, the services organizers hope to provide and the role volunteers, churches, medical professionals and community partners may play. The conversation also enters difficult territory. Brandon and Breanna discuss abortion, post-abortion healing, the responsibilities of churches, support for young mothers, fathers and families, foster care, addiction recovery and the tension between speaking from deeply held convictions and treating people with compassion. Houston is direct about her beliefs. She identifies as unapologetically pro-life and argues that Christian opposition to abortion must involve more than political statements. It must include material support, mentorship, healthcare connections, recovery resources and a willingness to walk beside women and families for the long term. The episode does not avoid controversy or pretend that everyone will agree. Instead, it asks a more practical question: If a community says that every life has value, what responsibilities follow from that belief? Alliance Women’s Clinic is planned for 118 North A Street in Lenoir City. The organization is currently raising funds, preparing the building and developing its network of staff, volunteers and community partners. I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today . My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing , The Arizona Capitol Times , South Florida Sun Sentinel , Police1 , among other state and regional outlets. Get full access to The Redemption Project Newsroom at newsroom.theredemptionproject.news/subscribe

S16 E4

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Civic Conversations

A Poll Is Not a Prediction: Mark Cunningham on Reading the Numbers Without Being Misled

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S15 E4

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Sheriff campaigns . . .

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S4 E4

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