PROBLEM STATEMENT:

The Governor of the State of Tennessee should be accessible to the people and not be controlled by billionaires, lobbyists, or corporations. As the People's Governor, I will be committed to placing people back into politics.

ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE: Atwater pledges to have a 24-hour Governor’s Citizen Hotline to address the legitimate concerns of the people. I will be an accessible Governor. My political agenda will always be: #TennesseeBelongsToThePeople. State of the State Quarterly Citizen’s Address – “Connect Tennessee to the People”

Atwater will be committed to citizen-focused, transparent, and responsive government for all Tennesseans.  She and her staff would welcome your comments and appreciate the opportunity to assist when issues arise with state government departments and agencies.  We will have a 24-Hour (800) NEW-TENN) Governor’s Citizen Hotline.

I firmly believe that a governor should be accessible to the people, as they are elected by the entire voting public to serve as the chief executive of the state, regardless of their political persuasion. No matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Socialist, Independent, Green Party, or any other political party, I will be the "People's Governor".

Accessibility is a crucial part of democratic accountability, though it must be balanced with the practical demands of governing, such as managing state agencies, responding to crises, and developing policies. I am committed to visiting all 95 counties annually to assess the needs of the people, especially rural counties that have been economically neglected for decades.

Atwater's Key points regarding a governor's accessibility include:

• Methods of Access: Governors commonly make themselves accessible through town meetings, radio call-in shows, and staff-managed constituent services (letters, emails, phone calls). These methods allow them to explain programs, receive feedback, and build a "communication bridge" with constituents. I will bring to the people's table a new engagement opportunity, giving members of the community across the State of Tennessee an opportunity to be at the table of real hands-on engagement.

• The "People's Governor": A governor's ability to be accessible and speak at public gatherings is a key part of their role, acting as a community connector to raise public awareness and engage citizens on critical issues.

• Balancing Act: While accessibility is important, it is impractical for every citizen to have in-person access. Governors often rely on staff to handle day-to-day constituent concerns so they can manage the state's business, which often involves dealing with large populations, but I want to be a different kind of governor when time permits, placing people back into politics.

• Accountability: Accessible leaders tend to be more accountable. Research shows that state policy is most representative when governors and state officials stay engaged with public opinion between elections.

• Public Trust: In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or public health issues, a governor's direct engagement with the public is essential for demonstrating leadership and providing assurance, acting as a "consoler to those who are suffering". Ironically, as a community advocate, I have been on the ground in numerous disasters in the State of Tennessee, such as the flood in Waverly, Tennessee, the tornado in Clarksville, Tennessee, and the devastating storm in Union City, Tennessee. I will continue to be accessible.

As the next potential governor, I truly feel I should be accessible to foster transparency and trust, but this is usually managed through structured communication channels, official outreach events, and specialized staff. I will strive to be a hands-on Governor with boots on the ground.

I have a proven record of standing with the people for over 40 years, and being the next potential Governor would further that commitment to Tennesseans.