Harwell ran for office for the first time while she was teaching at Belmont University, running for the 56th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986. While she lost that race, she ran again in 1988 and won. She has been representing her district ever since.[6]
Harwell explored a run for the 2006 U.S. Senate race; however she decided against seeking that seat. In May 2007 Harwell said that she was considering running in the 2010 state gubernatorial election.[7]
In the 2008 presidential election, Harwell was the state co-chair for John McCain's presidential campaign.[8][9] McCain won 56.9% of Tennessee's popular vote against Democrat Barack Obama.[10] During the elections, the Republican Party gained control of both the Tennessee Senate and House for the first time since Reconstruction. In January 2009, Harwell was named chairwoman of the Commerce Committee.[11] Following the 2010 elections, Harwell was elected in 2011 by her colleagues in the Tennessee House to serve as Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, the first woman to be elected to that office.[6]
Harwell's legislative record includes passing legislation "clarifying and toughening the penalties against stalkers". She has also secured the passage of laws increasing the jail time for rapists, and "strengthening" laws for child rape.[12]
Children's issues
Harwell sponsored the "Children's Act for Clean Indoor Air", protecting kids from the effects of second-hand smoking.[12]
Welfare reform
Harwell was the sponsor of the "Families First" legislation which reformed Tennessee's welfare program into what it is today.[12]
Anti-corruption
In the wake of the FBI's Operation Tennessee Waltz investigation, Harwell introduced legislation increasing the punishment for bribing public servants or for public servants who accept bribes.[13]
Campaign finance reform
During the 104th General Assembly (2005-2006), Harwell introduced legislation in the Tennessee House to impose limits to how much candidates for governor and the General Assembly could spend. In the 105th General Assembly (2007-2008), Harwell introduced legislation to ban donations to and campaigning for candidates for General Assembly from the Secretary of State, Comptroller of the Treasury, and State Treasurer, as the General Assembly elects those offices.[14]
Education
In 2009, Harwell led the push for landmark charter school legislation, allowing more Tennessee students to enroll in charter schools. Additionally, she secured the passage of legislation that directed more funds to improve the training of day care workers.[12]
Crime
Harwell sponsored legislation requiring someone subject to an order to protection to give up any firearms that person owns and establishing a punishment for those subject to an order of protection found to be in possession of a firearm.[15]
Harwell has served as Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives since the 107th General Assembly (2011-2012).[16]
Honors
During her time in the State House, Harwell has been given many awards, including the following:[16]
Tennessee Chamber of Commerce 'Champion of Commerce' Award
Harwell speaking at a gubernatorial forum in Chattanooga, June 2018
In July 2017, Harwell announced that she was running for Governor of Tennessee in the 2018 election.[17] On August 2, 2018, she lost the Republican primary.
Harwell's platform for the election was as follows:
Support for President Trump
Harwell was the first major state legislator to give public support to then-candidate Donald Trump during his bid for the presidency. Following the Tennessee primaries, Harwell said she would support Trump should he become the GOP nominee.[18] She said that she would continue her support for the Trump Administration as governor.
Opioid crisis
Harwell supports tougher sentencing for dealers, more restrictions on prescriptions, and prioritizing rehab over prison sentences.[19] As Speaker, Harwell created a task force in 2017 to hear from experts and those affected by the crisis.[20] Among the task force's recommendations are adding more TBI agents, starting a pilot program of a recovery center in each grand division of the state, and modernizing pain-management curriculum for healthcare professionals.[21]
Medical marijuana
Harwell supports legalizing medical cannabis in Tennessee. During the 2018 session of the Tennessee General Assembly, Speaker Harwell cast the tie-breaking vote in the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee to advance legislation legalizing medical cannabis.[22] During a GOP candidate debate, Harwell stated that she believed it would be "cruel to withhold that from someone who needs that help". Each of the other candidates said they opposed such legislation, making Harwell the only GOP candidate to support legalizing medical cannabis.[23] On July 20, Harwell held a press conference in the State Capitol Building reinforcing her support of medical cannabis and debuting a new ad touting her support for it. In the press conference, Harwell stated that to her, the issue is a "dignity of life" issue.[24]
Immigration
Harwell is a strong opponent of sanctuary cities in Tennessee, helping to pass a law in 2017 which banned sanctuary cities in the state.[25] The law was passed during a debate in Middle Tennessee over a proposed ordinance in the Nashville Metro City Council which would have made the city a sanctuary city.[citation needed]
Education
Harwell was the only educator in the race for governor, and education was one of her top priorities. As speaker, Harwell supported the efforts to end Common Core in Tennessee and to allow for charter schools, and was a leader in the fight for more investment in education. Tennessee is now one of the fastest-improving states in education.[19] Harwell has advocated for a renewed focus on literacy in lower grades and more emphasis on how valuable technical school can be compared to college.
TN Ready testing
Following 2018 TN Ready testing period, Speaker Harwell led the push to ensure that the state's teachers were not hurt by the botched testing[26] and to investigate what went wrong. Harwell directed the House Government Operations Committee to hold additional hearings on the issue,[27] and asked the State Comptroller of the Treasury to review the testing vendor, Questar.[28]
The Tennessee Education Association has endorsed Harwell in the Republican primary, citing her experience as an educator, her knowledge on education issues facing the state, and her efforts to raise teachers' salaries in the state.[29]
Budget
Harwell ensured that Tennessee's budget was balanced every year she served as speaker.[30]
Harwell opposes the right to abortion and has for the last 10 years received a 100% score from the Tennessee Right to Life, an anti-abortion organization.[19]
Second Amendment
Harwell has supported and advocated for the rights of gun owners for years as the Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives. Multiple laws protecting 2nd Amendment rights were passed under her leadership.[19]
Congressional campaign
On February 5, 2022, Harwell announced her intent to run for the state's 5th congressional district, after the state legislature approved a controversial redistricting plan dividing Nashville into three congressional districts in an effort to pick up an additional Republican to Tennessee's congressional delegation.[32]
