The Leaf-Chronicle

Democrat Juanita Charles, a U.S. Army veteran and Clarksville-based Realtor, has declared her candidacy for the upcoming Tennessee Senate District 22 special election. The seat was vacated by Congressman Mark Green, who officially stepped down earlier this month.

"For the past decade, I've served military and civilian families in this district, representing them in real estate transactions, and helping fellow veterans secure homes and navigate the transition from soldier to civilian. Now I’m running to make sure they have a fair shake in Nashville,” Charles said in a news release.

“Whether you’re a service member, school teacher, or an assembly line worker, people in this community are united around the belief that fellow hardworking families deserve to live a life of dignity and security. My vision for this district reflects our shared values and prioritizes the needs of middle-class families in Stewart, Montgomery, and Houston counties.”

Following six years of service in the U.S Army, both on active duty and in the Tennessee National Guard, Juanita became a licensed Realtor in Tennessee and Kentucky in 2009. She holds the following certifications: Military Relocation Professional, Certified Military Residential Specialist, Real Estate Negotiation Expert, Accredited Buyer Representative, Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource, and At Home with Diversity.

She currently holds a seat on the City of Clarksville’s Human Relations Commission and previously served on the Board of Directors of the Clarksville Association of Realtors.

The official campaign kick-off event is scheduled for Jan. 31 from 5-7 p.m. at Beachaven Winery. You can find more information on the campaign at www.CharlesForSenate.com.

As of Jan. 25, Charles was the only Democrat who has entered the race.

About the election

The District 22 seat is currently held by interim state Sen. Rosalind Kurita. The district covers Montgomery, Stewart and Houston counties.

The primary election will be March 7, with early voting Feb. 15-March 2. The general election will be April 23, with early voting April 3-18.