U.S. Senate candidate James Mackler, a Nashville attorney and Iraq War veteran, will be in Smithville for a potluck dinner hosted by the DeKalb County Democratic Party on Thursday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the high school.
Mackler is the first Tennessee Democrat to announce plans to run in 2018 for the state’s U.S. Senate seat held by Republican Senator Bob Corker.
He will speak at the event along with former Nashville Mayor and Gubernatorial candidate Karl Dean and Holly McCall, the Recruitment Coordinator for Emerge Tennessee. Music for the evening will be provided by Jake Hoot.
Mackler says he’s “running to restore respect, honesty, and most importantly, integrity in Washington.”
“Our country has become so divided that our leaders refuse to work together to solve our most important problems. I know first-hand the strength of team work and the benefits of diversity to accomplish even the most difficult mission,” said Mackler.
Mackler, 44, recently practiced law at Frost Brown Todd LLC and Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC, both in Nashville. He’s worked in criminal law and more recently has specialized in legal issues involving unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, by providing businesses legal advice on their use.
Before those stints, Mackler spent three years as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, according to a news release from his campaign, after he had put aside his legal work for the Army in 2001 following the attacks on 9/11. His military service included a deployment to Iraq.
Mackler, who continues serving in the Tennessee Air National Guard, earned his Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge and an Air Medal for “bold and audacious piloting.” After his service in Iraq, Mackler transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps, where he was a military prosecutor.
“As a military veteran and Tennessee National Guardsman I know that true leadership comes from a sense of duty-an obligation to protect and work for the benefit of others. The best results are accomplished when we recognize the value in one another and the unique contribution of each person. True leaders hold themselves and others accountable. These are values I learned serving my country and will continue to carry as your next U.S. Senator,” said Mackler.
“I will be a servant leader. I will be a Senator who truly represents all Tennessee families and is dedicated to the best of our American ideals in both word and deed,” Mackler concluded.
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