Charles Ihrig
For State Representative
Press Releases
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CAMPAIGN FOR THE 45th DISTRICT HEATS UP
Momentum builds as supporters of Charles Ihrig bring the campaign to the people
HENDERSONVILLE - Supporters of Charles Ihrig’s candidacy to represent the 45th House District, which encompasses parts of Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, and Gallatin, took to the streets on Saturday.
Volunteers met with the candidate for a morning shift in Gallatin and an evening shift in Hendersonville to garner support for Dr. Ihrig's candidacy the old-fashioned way - by knocking on doors.
Fox News Channel 17 caught up with Dr. Ihrig making the rounds on Saturday. See the link below:
http://vimeo.com/14018525
Ihrig and his team of 12 volunteers knocked on a total of 643 doors on Saturday. That effort brings the campaign to a grand total of 3,577 doors knocked to date. This is the highest total of grass roots door-knocks to date in any of the Democratic races across the state, according to the Tennessee Democratic Party.
Dr. Ihrig believes that direct voter contact is the key to successfully delivering his message to constituents. “It's hard to get people enthused about politics these days and even harder to convince them to cross party lines with their votes. However, if they know you and they've looked you in the eye, and you've taken the time to listen to their concerns, there's a good chance they will remember you when they go into that voting booth on November 2nd. A hand shake beats a TV commercial any day in my book.” -
Dr. Charles Ihrig's opponent trashes nurses and judges.
While Rep. Maggart has a long record of hiding behind special interests like the NRA, she has also found time to trash the board of nurses and our judicial system. Judges, contrary to her evaluation, are also elected officals. Please watch this 41 second video and see for yourself why our tax dollars dont need to fund her conquest to seek higher elected office.
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Campaign Kickoff
Dr. Charles Ihrig Kicks Off His Campaign for State Representative
My name is Charles Ihrig, and I am running for State Representative in District 45, which encompasses the communities of Gallatin, Hendersonville, and Goodlettsville. I have deep roots in this District and spent much of my life in this area. It is part of who I am. Most of my friends and neighbors are quick to ask why I would want to run for office. It is simple, when you seen an injustice occurring you have a few options: You can complain, You can speak out, or You can do something about it. I already tried the first two and now I am doing something about it.
We need a government that is fiscally conservative and values our hard-earned money as much as we do. When we pay taxes, we should feel we get our money’s worth. Our government should provide us with security and basic services that allow us to conduct business in a profitable manner, provide for our family, ensure their safety, and guarantee a state with the same opportunities previous generations have enjoyed. We should live in a state where hard work matters and that there is a job for everyone who is willing and able to put in a day’s honest work.
Let me be clear, government does not create jobs. However, it creates an environment for business and individuals to become successful. Tennessee is a low tax state and must stay that way. Businesses want skilled workers, and we must have a strong educational system to assure Tennesseans are the most prepared for tomorrows jobs. Our infrastructure must be in place to move goods to market and raw materials to industry. Lastly, we must have a strong healthcare system so that businesses are not crippled by healthcare costs and workers can be productive rather than absent due to illness.
I am the man to lead this effort. I am a Psychologist, businessman, and former educator. I know how to grow business, train workers, and keep them healthy. While everyone is up in arms over what happens in Washington, frightened over their future, and losing their jobs, our current legislators spent time debating 105 gun bills and only 3 job growth bills. Unemployment is still at its worst in over 30 years. I support the 2nd amendment and responsible gun ownership, but where were their priorities?
In this session, our legislators were trying to figure out how to balance a state budget that was nearly 1.5 billion dollars short. Meanwhile, Rep. Debra Maggart, sponsored 173 new bills exceeding 100 million dollars in state expenses and even more to federal and local governments. When asked in committee, about her bill (HB#2957), to explain the 39 million dollar cost to local school systems; she answered, “I don’t know how to answer that”. We need a Representative that will know where your money is being spent, especially when they are writing the check!
I will not allow wasteful spending. I will not put guns in bars. I will protect victims and not just punish the abusers. I will provide real solutions to healthcare costs. I will not play party politics. Lastly, I will never waste time or money on any legislation that does not actually help Tennesseans!
Last, but certainly not least, you should know I am a Democrat. When I was growing up, everyone I knew was a Democrat. My grandparents who lived on Old Shackle Island, my mother who grew up in this community, and everyone I met. The Democratic Party was founded in this state on an anti debt fiscal responsibility platform. It was the party of the workers and small businessmen, and it still is! That is who I will be standing with through this campaign.
The state capital could use a good shrink, because it is getting as bad as Washington down there!
I hope you will support my candidacy.
I will be kicking off the summer campaign efforts on June 5 @ 6:00 pm. My wife Jennifer and I will be hosting a shrimp boil and fundraising event at our home. Please call 320-1155 or email me at cihrig@comcast.net to RSVP.
You can also discover more about the campaign at www.charlesihrig.com
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The Tennessean May 14, 2010: Maggart Makes Deal With NRA
May 14, 2010
Recently, National Rifle Association lobbyist Heidi Keesling made an unprecedented appearance in a closed meeting of the House Republican Caucus May 5 and told members the NRA opposed the “restaurants-only” amendment and considered it a “weighted” issue that would factor into the endorsements that the NRA gives out during election years.
Fearing she would lose the endorsement of her biggest donor, Rep. Debra Maggart promptly flipped her vote and gave into the organization responsible for funding her campaign.
The NRA promoted and sponsored the “On Target to Win in 2010” fundraiser involving a skeet shoot that netted Maggart almost $40,000. Maggart joined eight other legislators who voted in committee in favor of an amendment to ban guns in bars.
Less than three hours later, after the NRA threatened to remove their endorsement and money from her campaign, she voted to kill the same amendment on the House floor.
Clearly, Ms. Maggart does not represent the 90 percent of her constituents who disapprove of guns in bars and only represents her growing campaign war chest.Eric Hall, HENDERSONVILLE 37075
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TPA endorses Charles Ihrig
Dr. Charles Ihrig is proud to announce the Tennessee Psychological Association has endorsed his campaign for State Representative in the 45th district. Dr. Ihrig received a unanimous vote from the TPA board last Friday. The endorsement of his peers is of great importance, and as a future legislator, he will continue to advocate for those who suffer from mental illness and fight the stigma associated with it.
Dr. Ihrig has been a member of their board since 2007 and he has previously served on the Nashville Psychological Association’s board as President. -
The Tennessean: Vast Majority Oppose "Guns in Bars"
4-15-10
Nashville restaurateur Randy Rayburn has launched a Facebook page urging people to call Rep. Charles Sargent about the guns-in-bars bill.
Although the title of the page singles out Sargent, Rayburn has a wall post that also mentions Rep. Beth Harwell.
“Call Green Hills businessman Rep. Charles Sargent today at 741-6808 and ask him to vote (Tuesday) against the guns-in-bars bill,” Rayburn’s post reads. “The bill is tied 15-15 and we need him to abstain or vote against (the bill).”
Rayburn explained his decision to target Sargent: “I wanted him to hear from his business customers, friends and constituents, their opinions on this radical proposal that only one other state concurs.”
Rayburn was actually a little off on his counting. Three amendments proposed by House Democrats put the finance, ways and means committee at about a 16-13 split. Sargent voted against all three amendments and has already voted in favor of the bill once in subcommittee.
Rayburn might be banking on Sargent and Harwell representing constituencies that oppose guns in bars. Two polls conducted last year showed a vast majority oppose the bill.
The Tennessean.com
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State lawmakers to face challengers in August primaries
The Tennessean:
In House District 45, State Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville, will be challenged by Democrat Charles Ihrig, of Hendersonville, a psychologist who runs a group practice in Nashville.
Jay Kalbes, a real estate broker for Exit Real Estate in Goodlettsville, says he’ll run against Maggart as an independent Tea Party candidate in November.
Kalbes ran once before as a Republican candidate for the House 45 district in the 1998 primary against Diane Black. Black defeated Kalbes with 84 percent of the vote in a Republican primary.
Read entire article: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100326/HENDERSONVILLE01/100326057/2139/State+lawmakers+to+face+challengers+in+August+primaries
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Dr. Charles Ihrig
- Taxes – Dr. Ihrig is a fiscal conservative and will fight against an income tax or payroll tax.
- Healthcare – Dr. Ihrig is a provider of healthcare services and believes that government nor insurance companies should be making decisions for Dr’s or their patients. We will need to adapt to any federal changes as a state, and Dr. Ihrig’s experience in the healthcare industry makes him the best qualified to help Tennesseans effectively implement whatever comes out of Washington.
- Education – Tennessee should not be last in anything especially the education of our children. We should reward good teachers, encourage all students, and train a skilled workforce so that our businesses can prosper.
- Environment – Tennessee is the most beautiful and bio-diverse state in the union! Let’s keep it that way. Our air quality is one of the worst in the US. We can make Tennessee cleaner by focusing on green, enviro-friendly jobs.
- Jobs – Tennessee is suffering from its highest unemployment rates in 25 years. Government does not create jobs, but can provide a low tax structure, an educated employment base, and infrastructure that helps businesses succeed.
- Abortion – Since 1991 there have been 15 to 17k annual abortions. My opponent has blocked educational services and cut adoption services while claiming to be Pro-Life. Results are what counts not divisive slogans. Dr. Ihrig will fight to make a difference with bringing wanted healthy children into families lives.
- Guns – Dr. Ihrig supports responsible gun ownership, but believes that guns don’t belong in bars. A responsible gun owner does not take their gun to a bar, why would we need a law to allow it?
- Votes that Count – Dr. Ihrig supports the immediate compliance with The Voter Confidence Bill and unlike his opponent, Dr. Ihrig feels that we should be able to vote across party lines and not be required to do otherwise.
- Taxes – Dr. Ihrig is a fiscal conservative and will fight against an income tax or payroll tax.
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SCDP Meeting with Sen. Jim Kyle and Dr. Charles Ihrig
PRESS RELEASE
Gubernatorial Candidate, Jim Kyle, and State Representative Candidate, Dr. Charles Ihrig, will be the guests at tonight’s Sumner County Democratic Party meeting.
Time: Thursday, February 18, 2010, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church
650 East Main St. Hendersonville, TN 37075 -
Public Announcement
Ihrig for State Representative
Glenbrook Way, Suite 480-113
Hendersonville, TN 37075
(615) 320-1155
July 28, 2009
PRESS RELEASEDr. Charles Ihrig will be making a public announcement marking the official start of his campaign for Tennessee State Representative for the 45th District.
(Including: Hendersonville and portions of Gallatin and Goodlettsville)Time: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 6pm.
Location: Triple Creek Park, Pavilion #2, off Hwy 31E, Gallatin, TNYellow Dog Dinner Details:
The Yellow Dog Dinner is a fundraising event to support the Sumner County Democratic Party
$10.00/ticket, $15.00 for 2, $50.00/table. Price goes to $15.00 at the gate, so get your ticket today!!
Call SCDP Chair Maria Brewer at 826.2505 or email Maria.Brewer@SumnerDems.org for your tickets or questions.
Purchase tickets online at: http://www.actblue.com/page/yellowdogdinnerAbout Charles Ihrig:
Dr. Charles Ihrig is a proud native Tennessean, and he and his wife Jennifer live in Hendersonville. Dr. Ihrig graduated from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, obtained his masters degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, and was awarded his doctorate in counseling psychology by Tennessee State University. He went on to complete his internship/residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center's Department of Psychiatry and has been a Licensed Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor working in the field for the last 17 years. He is currently the co-owner and founder of Athena Consulting and Psychological Services, LLC. Dr. Ihrig’s professional accomplishments include: service on the board for the Nashville Area Psychological Association of which he is a recent Past President; an active board member of the Tennessee Psychological Association, member of the American Psychological Association; and a former full-time graduate level Adjunct Professor at Tennessee State University. Dr. Ihrig is a dedicated practitioner, businessman, educator, and leader who looks forward to the opportunity of dedicating his energy to bettering the lives of Tennesseans and the members of his district by bringing his background of helping, listening, and understanding to state government. He believes his conservative small business ideals and Christian ethic will reflect the values of his district.
