Aftyn Behn Explained

Aftyn Behn
State House:Tennessee
District:51st
Term Start:October 4, 2023
Predecessor:Anthony Davis
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:24 November 1989
Birth Place:Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Education:University of Texas at Austin

Aftyn Alyssa Behn (born November 24, 1989) is an American politician and a Democratic representative for District 51 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Behn was born on November 24, 1989, in Knoxville, Tennessee.[1] She graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville in 2008.[2] Behn earned liberal arts and psychology degrees, with honors, from University of Texas at Austin graduating in 2012.[3]

Career

Community organizing

In 2017, Behn began working as the healthcare community organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center.[4] She's currently the Campaign Director for RuralOrganizing.org, where she oversees the organization's electoral strategy.[5]

Political activism

In 2018, Behn was the lead organizer for Enough is Enough TN, a campaign advocating for the expulsion of State Representative David Byrd after being accused of sexually assaulting underage women.[6] She was removed from the Tennessee House of Representatives visitor's gallery in 2019 after interrupting a legislative session to protest the speakership of Glen Casada.[7] Behn opposed the 2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions and organized protests outside the State Capitol.[8]

Tennessee House of Representatives

In 2023, after the death of five-term State Representative Bill Beck, Behn campaigned in a special election for the Tennessee House of Representatives 51st district. She was endorsed by Representative Gloria Johnson, Tennessee College Democrats, and Tennessee AFL-CIO.[9] [10] The Nashville Metro Council appointed former councilmember Anthony Davis to serve as interim representative until the special election in September.[11] Behn defeated Davis in the August 3rd primary with 53.46% of the vote.[12] She won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.[13]

On November 20, Behn announced her legislative proposal to repeal the Tennessee sales tax on groceries.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Aftyn Behn . Nashville.gov . Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County . October 26, 2023.
  2. News: Text me briefs: Apr. 15 . September 10, 2023 . . . April 15, 2008.
  3. News: Aftyn Behn . September 10, 2023 . The Forge.
  4. News: A Call to Arms on Health Care . Memphis Flyer . July 13, 2017 .
  5. Web site: We Are Rural Organizing . ruralorganizing.com . December 13, 2023.
  6. News: Haggard . Amanda . Faces of Local Activism . Nashville Scene . May 9, 2023 .
  7. News: Horan . Kyle . Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker . August 6, 2023 . . May 2, 2019.
  8. News: Owens . Mye . April 6, 2023 . Thousands expected to march at State Capitol in favor of the 'Tennessee Three' and gun reform . WKRN .
  9. Web site: Primary School 8/3. August 3, 2023. September 14, 2023.
  10. News: Hansen . Alyssa . August 17, 2023 . TN AFL-CIO Endorses Aftyn Behn in Upcoming House District 51 Special Election .
  11. News: Rau . Nate . Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House . September 14, 2023 . . . June 21, 2023.
  12. News: Brown . Melissa . Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary . August 4, 2023 . . . August 3, 2023.
  13. News: Posey . Sebastian . Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023 . September 14, 2023 . . September 14, 2023.
  14. News: Jones . Vivian . November 20, 2023 . Tennessee Democrats seek elimination of 4% grocery sales tax . The Tennessean .

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