Aftyn Behn | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office October 4, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1989 Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin |
Aftyn Alyssa Behn (born November 24, 1989) is an American politician and a Democratic representative for District 51 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Early life and education
Behn was born on November 24, 1989, in Knoxville, Tennessee.[1] She graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville in 2008.[2] Behn earned Liberal Arts Honors and Psychology Honors degrees from University of Texas at Austin graduating in 2012.[3]
Career
Community organizing
In 2017, Behn began working as the healthcare community organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center.[4] She's currently the Campaign Director for RuralOrganizing.org, overseeing the organization's electoral strategy.[5]
Political activism
In 2018, Behn was the lead organizer for Enough is Enough TN, a campaign advocating for the expulsion of State Represnetative David Byrd after being accused of sexually assaulting underage women.[6] She was removed from the Tennessee House of Representatives visitor's gallery in 2019 after interrupting a legislative session to protest the speakership of Glen Casada.[7] Behn opposed the 2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions and organized protests outside the State Capitol.[8]
Tennessee House of Representatives
In 2023, after the death of five-term State Representative Bill Beck, Behn campaigned in a special election for the Tennessee House of Representatives 51st district. She was endorsed by Representative Gloria Johnson, Tennessee College Democrats, and Tennessee AFL-CIO.[9][10] The Nashville Metro Council appointed former councilmember Anthony Davis to serve as interim representative until the special election in September.[11] Behn defeated Davis in the August 3 primary with 53.46% of the vote.[12] She won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.[13]
On November 20, Behn announced her legislative proposal to repeal the Tennessee sales tax on groceries.[14]
References
- ^ "Aftyn Behn". Nashville.gov. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
- ^ "Text me briefs: Apr. 15". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett. April 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "Aftyn Behn". The Forge. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "A Call to Arms on Health Care". Memphis Flyer. July 13, 2017.
- ^ "We Are Rural Organizing". ruralorganizing.com. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
- ^ Haggard, Amanda (May 9, 2023). "Faces of Local Activism". Nashville Scene.
- ^ Horan, Kyle (May 2, 2019). "Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker". WTVF. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
- ^ Owens, Mye (April 6, 2023). "Thousands expected to march at State Capitol in favor of the 'Tennessee Three' and gun reform". WKRN.
- ^ "Primary School 8/3". August 3, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ Hansen, Alyssa (August 17, 2023). "TN AFL-CIO Endorses Aftyn Behn in Upcoming House District 51 Special Election".
- ^ Rau, Nate (June 21, 2023). "Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House". Axios. Cox Enterprises. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ Brown, Melissa (August 3, 2023). "Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary". The Tennessean. Gannett. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
- ^ Posey, Sebastian (September 14, 2023). "Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023". WKRN. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Vivian (November 20, 2023). "Tennessee Democrats seek elimination of 4% grocery sales tax". The Tennessean.
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This page was last edited on 25 April 2024, at 16:43