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Dr. Ron Kirkland, a Union City native and a widely respected Jackson physician, announced he will file paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission this week to run for the 8th Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring Congressman John Tanner. The campaign will announce its leadership team and Web site in the near future. “After seeking the counsel of many friends across West Tennessee, and after much family prayer, I have decided to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Congress from the 8th Congressional District,” he said. “I have been very encouraged and at the same time humbled by the outpouring of support. He said he has never been as concerned about the future of our country as he is right now. “We need experienced, conservative leadership in Congress. Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi and President Obama represent a radical agenda which threatens to destroy our economy and diminish the quality of health care for our families,” he said. “The devotion I have shown my Jackson Clinic patients for the past 25 years is the same devotion I will bring to this position. Families in West Tennessee can depend on me to faithfully defend our values and promote conservative solutions that will create new jobs, protect our national security and improve access to quality health care. I have the experience to make an immediate difference in Washington.” Kirkland was born and raised in Union City and served as a sergeant in the Army, including a tour in Vietnam as a counterintelligence agent. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, where he re-ceived the Distinguished Service Award. In 2009, he completed an executive master of business administration degree at UT Knox-ville. A practicing physician, Kirkland is the immediate past chairman of the board of the Jackson Clinic, a multi-specialty medical group comprising over 120 physicians in 14 West Tennessee locations. He has been twice selected by his peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America,” and has also been selected as one of “America’s Top Physicians.” He served as chairman of the board of American Medical Group Association based in Alexandria, Va., in 2008. In addition to his medical practice, he has also served as an active community leader. Some of his many roles have been as president of the Jackson Rotary Club and president of the University of Tennessee National Alumni Association. He has also served on the University of Tennessee (Knoxville) Athletic Board and on the boards of the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson Arts Council. One of his favorite volunteer activities was coaching youth soccer and basketball for 10 years. He has been married to the former Carol Ann Glasgow of Union City for 41 years. They have four children and three grandchildren. They are active members of First Baptist Church in Jackson, where he serves as a deacon. Among Republicans, Kirkland joins Tipton County computer consultant Donn Janes and Crockett County farmer and gospel singer Stephen Fincher as candidates for Tanner’s post, while state Sen. Roy Herron is running on the Democratic side. Former state Rep. Phillip Pinion, who has expressed interest in the congressional seat, is expected to announce his intentions this month Published in The Messenger 1.4.10 |
