Jeff "Cog" Coggin

Independent | Tennessee

FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Candidate Profile

State House, Dist. 20 Tennessee General | November 3, 2026

Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, MS, PhD, Human Capital Development, 2015-2020

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, MA, Leadership, 2006-2008

Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, MBA, Business Administration, 1992-1994

University of Southern Mississippi, Long Beach, MS, BS, Business Administration, 1990-1992

WORK & MILITARY

United States Air Force, Lieutenant Colonel, 1987-2011

AFFILIATIONS

Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), Vice President, Air-Space-Cyber Networking Events, 2019-2026

American Legion, Member, 2024-2026

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Faculty Sponsor, 2020-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

None

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

U.S. Senator - Alabama (Independent - Write-in Candidate), 2017-2017

ENDORSEMENTS

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)

Not Seeking Endorsements or PAC Funding

OTHER INFORMATION

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Strongly Agree

I support ensuring taxpayer funds are used for essential health care services and not to directly fund abortion procedures.

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

Elective abortion should generally not be allowed, except when necessary to protect the life or serious health of the mother, or in cases of rape or incest.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. Human life should be valued and protected by law from conception through natural death.

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. Human embryos deserve protection and should not be intentionally created for the purpose of destruction or deliberately destroyed.

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. The Comstock Act should be enforced to prevent the interstate distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in accordance with federal law.


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I oppose a federally mandated minimum wage. Wage levels should largely be determined by employers and employees through the free market, with states and local governments free to set their own policies.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. Free enterprise and strong protections for private property are essential to economic growth, individual freedom, and prosperity.

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

1. Conduct regular audits and eliminate wasteful, duplicative, and ineffective federal programs. 2. Reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and administrative overhead across government agencies. 3. End taxpayer funding for programs that do not serve a clear public purpose or produce measurable results. 4. Strengthen oversight of government contracts, grants, and procurement to prevent fraud and abuse. 5. Require greater transparency and accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent.


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

To me, separation of church and state means government should not establish or control a religion, while fully protecting the freedom of individuals and religious institutions to practice and express their faith without government interference.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Disagree

I disagree. Individuals and businesses should not be forced by the government to violate sincerely held moral or religious beliefs, while reasonable protections should remain in place to prevent unlawful discrimination.


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree. The government should not maintain databases tracking individuals’ medical conditions for economic purposes. Patient privacy and the confidentiality of medical information should be protected.


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. The Chinese Communist Party poses serious threats to U.S. national security, cybersecurity, intellectual property, economic independence, and global interests, and the United States should respond with strength and resolve. However, we should pursue peace through mutually beneficial economic/trade strategies, where possible and reasonable.

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

The entire Middle Eastern Region is vital to our nation's global security and economic interests. A peaceful/stable Middle East helps ensure the future safety and prosperity of U.S. citizens residing both domestically and abroad.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree

I oppose sanctuary-city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Immigration laws should be applied consistently while ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and humanely.


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Agree

I support down-sizing this department and also reducing its administrative/legal power. Greater authority over education policy and funding should be given to states, local communities, parents, and school districts.

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. Foreign governments should not be permitted to fund or influence American education, politics, or any other aspect of our nation. Schools and educational institutions should remain strictly/solely accountable to American students, families, communities, and laws.


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree. Parents have a fundamental right and responsibility to guide their children’s education, health, and well-being, and government should respect and support that role.

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that children should be protected from irreversible medical interventions or coercive efforts to change their sex. Parents and qualified professionals should prioritize a child’s safety and long-term well-being.

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Strongly Agree

I believe marriage is traditionally and biblically defined as the union of one man and one woman. Government should respect religious freedom and the rights of faith communities to uphold this understanding of marriage.

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Agree

I recommend Tennessee moves slowly, utilizing objective research and careful deliberation in future expansion of our current gambling legislation. State lawmakers should be cautious about gaming policies that can contribute to addiction, financial hardship, and social costs of our citizens, especially the younger generation.

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe 100% that King Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. King Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected to save me and all those who believe in Him from eternal condemnation. I believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) and in the importance of faith, family, personal responsibility, and treating others with compassion and dignity. My personal and professional values are grounded in biblical principles and a commitment to serving my community and country.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree. Voters should be required to present valid photo identification to help protect election integrity and maintain public confidence in the voting process.


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

I strongly disagree. Government policies should treat individuals equally under the law and should not provide benefits or payments based solely on race.

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that sex-based spaces and women’s sports should be protected. Policies should prioritize fairness, privacy, safety, and the rights of women and girls while treating everyone with dignity and respect.


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Agree

I recognize that human activity affects the climate, but I do not support rushed or overly burdensome government policies. Environmental stewardship should be balanced with economic growth, energy security, and affordable energy.

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Nuclear power is one of the most reliable sources of electricity and should be part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy, alongside natural gas, renewables, and other dependable domestic sources.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Conservative

I identify as conservative because I believe in limited government, individual responsibility, free enterprise, strong families, the protection of human life, parental rights, religious liberty, secure borders, and a strong national defense. I also believe government should respect constitutional rights, protect taxpayers, and allow states and local communities greater authority over matters best handled close to home.

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

No

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

No


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

The goal of the criminal justice system should be to protect law-abiding citizens, hold offenders accountable, deter crime, and ensure fair and equal justice under the law. It should also provide appropriate opportunities for rehabilitation when possible.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

“I strongly agree. Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation online while safeguarding parents’ rights, privacy, and constitutional freedoms.

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree

I strongly agree that U.S. law should be based on the Constitution and apply equally to everyone. No religious legal system should supersede or replace U.S. constitutional law.


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

Gun ownership is a fundamental constitutional right. I support enforcing existing laws, keeping firearms out of the hands of violent criminals and those legally prohibited from possessing them, and improving background-check systems without imposing unnecessary restrictions on law-abiding citizens.

If you are not already receiving our updates, stay current with important election alerts, educational articles, and encouraging reminders.

I agree to receive text messages at the mobile number provided.