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Practices

Biography

Elected to the Legislature in 2004, Debra quickly rose to prominence as one of the most influential leaders in Tennessee. Debra served in the 104th through 107th Tennessee General Assemblies and became one of the Republican Party’s leading voices on education reform and economic development. As Republican Whip and Caucus Chair, Debra oversaw the winning Republican legislative campaigns that took the historic House Majority.

When asked why Debra works in Government Relations, her response was, “every time I am in the halls of the Tennessee General Assembly, I am drawn to the late 19th-century portraits of my great-great-grandfather, Richard Hancock, and great-grandfather, Jacob Young, who served the people of Tennessee. What would they and their Democratic colleagues have thought about one of their granddaughters becoming Republican caucus chair? It’s an honor to continue to serve, now helping clients make sense of it all.”

Debra’s pride and joy are her daughter, Brittainy, and her 12-year old granddaughter and 9-year old grandson.

View Debra’s full CivicPoint bio on the CivicPoint website.

Debra 's Relevant Experience

Legislative Work

Collaborative Conferencing Act: Gave teachers in the State of Tennessee a voice at the negotiating table, ending the teachers’ union’s stranglehold on local education control

Voter Photo ID Requirement: Ensured that only persons legally able to vote are permitted to cast a vote in Tennessee by passing constitutionally sound legislation

Sex Offender and Child Abuse Crackdown: Her legislation brought Tennessee into compliance with the Adam Walsh Act and allowed video-taped evidence of a child testifying against his or her alleged offender to be admissible in a courtroom

Tort Reform: Enabling businesses to operate on a level playing field throughout the State

Tax Reform: Eliminated gift and estate taxes in Tennessee to attract jobs and investment

Social Justice: Passed the resolution amending the Tennessee Constitution to restore the legislature’s power to regulate abortion in Tennessee and consistently championed pro-Second Amendment policies

Other Info About Debra

Education

Graduate School

Lipscomb University, Nashville, M.A.

Undergraduate School

Western Kentucky University, B.A., Advertising

Professional Affiliations

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

2012, 2004  Republican National Convention, Delegate

Tennessee Republican Party, Member, Executive Committee, 2002-2012

Sumner County Republican Women, Vice-Chair, 2017-2019

Tennessee Lobbyist Association, Secretary, 2019-2020

Tennessee Lobbyist Association, Treasurer, 2021-2022

Civic Activities

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Vestry Member, St. Joseph Episcopal Church

Phi Mu Fraternity for Women, Member, House Corporation Treasurer

Western Kentucky University’s Alumni Association, Board Member

Sumner County Republican Women’s Club, Member

Chamber of Commerce

Hendersonville Evening Rotary Club, President, 2019-2020

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