Candidate Profile: Diane BRADLEY-HARDIN

My name is Diane Bradley-Hardin and I am running for the position of Vice Chair of the Washington County Democraic Party (WCDP). I currently serve on the Washington County Democratic Party Executive Committee (WCDPEC) and have since 2017. I currently serve on the Volunteer and Membership Committee.

I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a management concentration and a master’s degree in public administration with a city management concentration both earned at East Tennessee State University (ETSU).  I also retired after working for the City of Johnson City for 30 years where my position was Community Development Program Manager.  In that role, I wrote grants to bring funds to fund nonprofits who assisted low income citizens and the homeless in various ways such as housing, healthcare, and social services, projects high on the Democratic party agenda.

While working at the City of Johnson City, I was involved in obtaining funding for the opening of the Johnson City Downtown Clinic sponsored by the ETSU College of Nursing.  In addition, I was involved in obtaining funding and establishing the city’s first domestic violence shelter for women and children and Mickii Carter was the mayor at that time.

I own a small business called Write For You where I do grant writing, grant research, and consulting for nonprofits, businesses and  organizations. I am the founder and president of Women of Color, a member of 100+TriCities Women Who Care, a member of the McKinney Center’s Diversity and Equity Committee, a member of Moms Demand Action, and Incredible Business Networking, as well as having been featured in the May, 2022 edition of the TriCities Business Journal.

I am running for this position because I still believe in our democracy even though there are those on all levels of government who are currently trying to destroy it.  I also believe our party can do much at a local level to make this happen.  Our constitution was created for a purpose and I choose to take it literally and believe the citizens of our country should do so.

I also believe in the principles of the Democratic party.  I believe all of us should live in decent and affordable housing, have free or low cost healthcare, and food to eat. I also believe in us retaining our individual rights, despite the Supreme Court’s recent decision.  I believe in a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body.

In addition, I’m running for Vice Chair to get more minorities of all kinds involved in our local party. I know many who vote democratic but for some reason choose not to participate in party events and activities.  It is my hope that my presence on the Executive Committee as Vice Chair, if I am elected, will lead to more minority involvement. Also, I know many people in our county of all colors and nationalities and I would love to get them more involved in the WCDP.

I would appreciate your vote for Vice Chair of the WCDP. I would be honored to serve in this capacity and represent the citizens of Washington County and our Democratic Party.

Diane Bradley-Hardin