Campaign News

Had a Great Time the Past Few Days

I've been busy the past few days meeting with friends around our district!

Had a meeting in Dyersburg last night but had to get a pizza at Alvino’s. It is the best pizza in Dyer County.

Met with the Cade’s Landing Port Authority today. Looks like things are moving forward now that the Tiger Grant has been secured.

Hailey Box asked me to Talk to the Dyer County Jr. High 4H class today. They got a lesson in Civics. Do you know how many people are in the Tennessee House of Representatives… ? They do.

Will be speaking at the Dyer County Veteran’s day program this Thursday morning.

Play trumpet at the Rutherford School Veteran’s program Thursday afternoon.

I hope to see you soon!

My Real Thoughts on Pre-K and Head Start

Dear Friends,

Today I received a very negative piece of mail from Judy Barker and the state Democrat party. This piece of mail implied that I oppose “Pre-K education” for all.  Several months ago I answered a questionnaire that asked, “Would you vote to make it mandatory for all 4-year olds to attend Pre-K?” My answer was “No,” as I feel this should be the parents’ choice.

This is the basis of my opponent’s claim.

Currently, kindergarten, Pre-K and Head Start are not mandatory in Tennessee. I oppose additional government mandates and I feel we need less government in education, not more.

My wife is a school teacher. My mother is on the Obion County Board of Education, and I am serving my 4th term on the Kenton Special School District. In 2001, I negotiated with Pam Castleman and Northwest Tennessee Head Start to bring the program to the Kenton School, and after 9 years, they are still located there. I have and will continue to be an advocate for Head Start and Pre-K programs.

I am surprised by Barker’s claim and I really do not understand how she or the State Democrat Party could draw this incorrect conclusion from my answer to the questionnaire.

My opponent has refused to take a stand on the issue by failing to answer the questionnaire.  Apparently she is more concerned by what might be said about her answers than with advocating for education improvements in our state.  Just a few months ago, she voted against establishing new charter school programs and also voted against the state recognizing the diplomas of home school and church school students. This attack on me was an attempt by my opponent to hide from her own record by lying about mine, and I hope you can see through the deception and inflammatory statements and realize that my opponent is the one standing between your children and a good education.

Thank You,

Bill Sanderson

Musician Eddie Garcia shows support for English only bill and Bill Sanderson

Listen to this special message from my friend and musician Eddie Garcia...in support of English being the official language in Tennessee.

Barker Goes Negative With "Push Polling" Tactics

Barker Goes Negative With "Push Polling" Tactics

Several of my supporters have informed me they received a very negative “push-poll” call from the Judy Barker campaign.  A “push-poll” is usually disguised as a survey with the underhanded intention of smearing one candidate while building up the candidate paying for the poll.

Upon hearing about Judy Barker’s negative “push-poll”, the state party announced, to their best knowledge, Barker was the first Tennessee House candidate to commence a negative campaign.

I want to assure my supporters that the Sanderson campaign hoped to avoid the negative tactics in this election resorted to by my opponent. I take full responsibility for my actions and the various media used in my campaign.

Most importantly, I have the final say in all polling and media used in the Sanderson House campaign.

I feel confident Judy Barker is involved in all decisions, media and polls concerning her campaign. I do hope this early negative poll is no preview of the upcoming summer and fall campaign.

If you received this negative Barker “push-poll” please let me know. My campaign advisors are trying to develop a pattern of who was called and how many calls were made.

I really do need your help.

Lastly, I am sorry to see and hear Judy Barker has resorted to these tactics. Today I make a challenge to Representative Barker.

Instead of personally attacking me and my family, I challenge her to debate me head to head across rural north-west Tennessee.

It is my hope this open forum will allow each of us to voice our ideas and show contrast and not hide behind a negative smear campaign.

Thanks for your support,

~ Bill

Letter from Eddie V. Garcia...Concerned Citizen and Friend

May 27, 2010

Dear Fellow Tennessean,

As you know, our country is in dire straits and the values that make our country the greatest country in the world are under attack, from domestic and foreign forces. The attack is not just from terrorist groups, but from politicians and interest groups that have somehow forgotten the greatness of our country and the reasons why so many people want to choose the United States of America their new country. But what’s happened is that politicians from the federal to local level have “sold-out” our country and no longer listen to you-the constituent. As a musician, I travel our great country performing. At every stop, I hear that Americans want English to be the official language to conduct official government business.

My parents and I came to this country via legal means in the early 70’s. They knew that two things needed to quickly happen. The first was that they needed to find meaningful work, as they were not going to accept any handouts. The second was that we all needed to learn English in addition to Spanish and Italian. Knowing English was going to give us the most important tool to achieving any level of success and truly grasp and taste the American dream.

As a Tennessean, I have had the honor and privilege of talking extensively with Bill Sanderson, candidate for House district 77 to ensure that certain things will be his priority as a state Representative. Among them is legislation that he will support to make English the sole language when a permanent resident wanted to obtain a Tennessee driver’s license.

Common sense tells us that being able to understand English written road signs will ensure there is optimal road safety that all motorists can effectively communicate with other motorists and law enforcement, that taxpayer dollars won’t be spent on funding multiple languages on the exam and to encourage all immigrants to learn English and quickly assimilate.

However, there were several dozen Tennessee lawmakers, including other Republicans, who told me that they would rather be friendlier and more accommodating to immigrants than ensure safety on our roads.

When I spoke with state Rep. Judy Barker she told me to my face that she found HB 262 too unfriendly toward immigrants and would not support the bill. I know Bill Sanderson will stand strong and say, “No, our English language will accomplish so much more for our great state of Tennessee than to give into the immigrant groups and chambers of commerce that spent hours and lots of money to defeat this good piece of legislation.” I am proud and humbled to support Bill Sanderson for House district 77.

In the current times of our faltering economy, we need lawmakers who will be brave, courageous and exude the level of tenacity to stand up to the opposition and to those who continue to suppress our English language.

Please reach out to Bill Sanderson and tell him you support him and elect him to the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Thank you for your time,

Eddie V Garcia

Proud American, father, musician



Singing For Hope

Bill & Valerie Sanderson will be performing at the "Singing for Hope" concert, on May 1st,  sponsored by the Good Year Retirees Club. This is a variety music show featuring local talent, with popular genres such as: gospel, blue grass, 50 & 60's music, country and much more! Tickets are $10.00 and are available at: Lanzers, 5 Seasons Men's Shop, Buddy's Wrecker Service and HealthQuest. All proceeds go to cancer stricken families sponsored by Goodyear. So don't forget, mark your calender for May 1st.  We look forward to enjoying a great night of music with you!