Each cell paraphrases what the candidate says they will do, from their own campaign materials, questionnaires, or interviews. Rows are shared issue categories; only categories at least one candidate addressed are shown.
Issue
David B. Hawk Republican
Catherine Bacon Democratic
Economy & jobs
Keep and recruit jobs for the next generation, linking training at Walters State and the new technical college to local jobs; sponsored a 2025 law encouraging state construction contractors to hire apprentices from registered programs.[1][2]
No stated position
Education
Voted against the 2025 statewide school voucher plan, saying he followed the wishes of most of Greene County; sponsored a 2025 law updating entry-resistant window standards for new and remodeled school buildings.[3][4]
Sponsored a 2026 law allowing the state health department to run a voluntary home-visiting program supporting the mental health and development of children from birth to age five.[6]
Secured $20 million in 2026 to continue the state's short-line railroad grant program and sponsored a 2025 law sending all sales tax on tires to the highway fund.[7][8]
No stated position
Environment & land
Keep the post-Hurricane Helene rebuilding of David Crockett Birthplace State Park on track.[1]
State representative for District 5 since 2003 (first elected in 2002), serving in the 103rd through 114th General Assemblies; Majority Assistant Leader in the 110th General Assembly.[9][10][11]
Chair of the House Transportation Subcommittee and a member of the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.[9]
Vice president of clothing sales at his family's Tailor Shop Men's Clothing in Greeneville, where he has worked since 1985.[10][11]
Bachelor's degree in marketing from East Tennessee State University (1990); attended Tusculum College and Harvard Kennedy School's Senior Executive Program for State and Local Government (2006).[9][10]
Ran for U.S. House in Tennessee's 1st District in 2020 and lost the Republican primary.[10]
Why they're running
He says he is running to continue work already under way, including the redevelopment of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center and the rebuilding of David Crockett Birthplace State Park after Hurricane Helene flooding. He says his top priorities are working with local governments to handle Greene County's rapid population growth and continuing economic development to keep and recruit jobs.[1]
Platform
Economy & jobs
Keep and recruit jobs for the next generation, linking training at Walters State and the new technical college to local jobs; sponsored a 2025 law encouraging state construction contractors to hire apprentices from registered programs.[1][2]
Education
Voted against the 2025 statewide school voucher plan, saying he followed the wishes of most of Greene County; sponsored a 2025 law updating entry-resistant window standards for new and remodeled school buildings.[3][4]
Health care
Sponsored a 2026 law allowing the state health department to run a voluntary home-visiting program supporting the mental health and development of children from birth to age five.[6]
Infrastructure & energy
Secured $20 million in 2026 to continue the state's short-line railroad grant program and sponsored a 2025 law sending all sales tax on tires to the highway fund.[7][8]
Environment & land
Keep the post-Hurricane Helene rebuilding of David Crockett Birthplace State Park on track.[1]
Arguments
Arguments for
With more than 20 years as a local businessman and 24 years in the legislature, he is one of the most senior members of the House and has helped bring higher-education and job-training improvements to Greene County.[1][9]
He has sponsored legislation to dissolve the board of any hospital system operating under the state's monopoly agreement and have the governor appoint a new one, and has publicly called for the regional system's chief executive to resign.[12][13]
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Catherine BaconDemocratic
Greeneville
Facts
Retired U.S. Air Force colonel who served 30 years as an officer, in roles from aircraft maintenance to squadron commander, including service at the Pentagon.[5][11]
Taught Air Force JROTC for 13 years; earlier earned a master's degree in English and taught in Japan while serving as a missionary.[5]
Serves on the Greeneville Airport Authority and works on her family's farm.[5]
Why they're running
She says that wherever she has lived or worked she has tried to serve and make improvements, and that she is committed to serving the people of District 5 and making lives better in East Tennessee.[5]
Thirty years as a military officer and years as a teacher have given her the leadership experience and temperament to listen to constituents and work with colleagues to find solutions.[5]
Arguments against
No published arguments found (checked October 13, 2026).
Sources (13)
Listed in numeric order. Numbers match the markers in the text above.