Like Heinz Ketchup, 57 is the lucky number lately! Last week we highlighted our candidate of choice in the race for District 57 the lower house of the California Legislature (State Assembly); today we are highlighting our candidate of choice in District 57 in the lower house of the Tennessee Legislature (House of Representatives)!

Ailina Carona (she/her) is a queer Latina millennial who is a makeup artist in the greater Nashville area. As the mother of a special needs daughter, she has been an advocate for more inclusive education policies and has raised money for school lunches. Ailina has also raised money for women’s shelters and advocates for reproductive freedom for women and stricter gun laws. Ailina lives with her husband and three daughters outside of Nashville.

Where are you based?
In Mt. Juliet, TN. I’ve lived here for a little over eight years with my husband and three daughters, Ember, Kairi, and Tennessee.

What is your position/what position are you running for?
I am running against the incumbent, Susan Lynn [R], for the Tennessee State House District 57.

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I am running to protect public education, women's reproductive rights, and safer gun laws.

What inspired you to run?
My daughters and I have three girls, ages 7, 9, and 10. When Roe V Wade was overturned, it sparked the activist in me. I could not imagine a world where my daughters did not have rights over their bodies. Then, the Covenant Shooting happened. The school is about 20 min from our home. My neighbor works across the street and was giving us updates on the mass shooting before the news had even broken. It was devastating. I wanted to run and grab my girls so that I could hold them. It was then that I was introduced to who our state representative was, Susan Lynn. Many in our community were reaching out to her to discuss what measures would be taken to ensure our schools were safe and what safer gun laws could be enacted to protect our community. Instead of taking this moment to connect and hear her grieving community, she posted a video of a comedian mocking people seeking sensible gun laws. It was then I realized that we did not have a representative. We did not have anyone listening to speak on our behalf. I also found out that for the majority of her time in office ( over 12 years), she’s rarely had an opponent. I thought, why not me?

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
This is such a tricky question for me because there is a running list. If I look just at my district, one of our biggest concerns is our public education. Right now, many harmful laws are being pushed through in Tennessee. In the last session, my opponent spearheaded a law banning books. Many of our schools have not just been stripped of books but also ELA apps that help our children, especially those with learning disabilities, which includes my daughter. Then they passed the arming teachers bill; the Democrats even attempted to amend this bill to include that parents would be notified if their child's teacher was carrying or requiring the teachers to keep guns in safe storage. All the amendments were shot down, and the bill was passed as is.

Then we have the Vouchers, which will again be on the board for this upcoming session. This will impact our public schools negatively, but it will be a money-maker for those who vote for it. Our kids have been sacrificed at the altar of greed and said “conservatism”; meanwhile, all they want is a safer place to learn, access to books, and be able to go to school with a full tummy.

Following that, we have women's Reproductive rights. With the overturning of Roe V Wade, we (women) have realized that nothing is off the table. Tennessee is the guinea pig of Project 2025. Women here have come to the terrifying realization that it’s not just the right to abortions that has been stripped from us. But they will be coming after IVF and Contraception; nothing is safe. Women are not safe. My first priorities will be advocating for protections over IVF and contraception and passing more exceptions to be able to receive an abortion.

And, of course, Safer gun laws. With the recent mass shooting at the Apalachee High School in GA, it is back at the forefront of us all. Especially with all the details that came out. It could have been prevented many times if laws were put into place. Meanwhile, you have our Congressman Andy Ogles sending Christmas Cards out with his family all holding ARs. It’s disgusting and heartless at the very least. We have a lot of work to do here in TN, but I am so hopeful with this upcoming election.

America is extremely divided these days. How would you hope to bridge that divide with your constituents to better unite Americans?
TN is a non-voting state, not a Red State. We are being told it’s divided. But being in my community, it is evident that Republicans and Democrats have more in common than we realize. Now, I am talking about the average Republican, not the extremist that runs our government. Every day, citizens are tired of divisiveness. We all want our children to be safe, able to afford housing, and able to thrive. When we come together on those common grounds, we can begin to hear each other out and come up with plans. Right now, my district needs someone who will listen to them. I am a proud Democrat, but when I take office, I will take off that hat and represent the people as a whole. Everyone needs to be heard, and everyone needs a voice.

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
I am not a career politician. I grew up in poverty as a daughter of an immigrant. I know what it’s like to be on government assistance. I know what it’s like to be homeless, I know what it’s like to lose a pregnancy… and the list goes on. My expertise may not be in politics, but I sure as hell know what it’s like to be a normal citizen that is living under the laws that are made for us. Unlike the rich politicians that are funded by super PACs or corporations, they live above the laws they create. They make laws to protect their cush life and the corporations that are making that life happen for them. The fact that I am not a politician is my biggest asset.

What is your motto in life?
Everyone has beliefs based on their personal lived experiences; I don’t make judgments solely based on my own lived experiences. We can always find common ground if we listen.

Where can we find out more about you?
You can find me at www.caronafortn57.com, Instagram: @caronafortn57 , Tik Tok: @caronafortn57

Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2024 - Ailina Carona, Tennessee House of Representatives District 57