House of Representatives - 9th District

Jim Torino

Jim Torino

Democrat

Tell us about your campaign.

I’m running for Congress because I believe government should work for people, not political parties, special interests, or powerful lobbyists. For nearly three decades, Tennessee has been my home. My wife, Bethany, and I have raised our family here, served our communities here, and built our lives around helping others. I’ve spent my career solving complex problems as a healthcare executive, founded a nonprofit serving vulnerable families, and serve as a pastor. Those experiences have taught me that real leadership begins by listening, bringing people together, and putting service above self-interest. This campaign is about restoring trust in government by focusing on the issues that affect everyday Tennesseans. Families deserve affordable healthcare, good-paying jobs, quality public schools, safe neighborhoods, secure retirement, and the opportunity to build a better future regardless of where they live or what political party they belong to. I believe healthcare should be affordable and accessible. I will fight to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid while strengthening our healthcare system and expanding access in underserved communities. I support investing in public education, workforce development, and infrastructure so our children and grandchildren can succeed right here in Tennessee. I believe working people deserve an economy that works for them. That means supporting small businesses, family farms, organized labor, responsible economic development, affordable housing, and policies that make childcare and everyday living more affordable. Public safety and justice go hand in hand. We should support law enforcement with the resources they need while also investing in crime prevention, mental health, addiction recovery, and opportunities that help strengthen our communities. I believe our democracy is strongest when every voice is heard. I’ll defend constitutional rights, protect voting rights, support government transparency and accountability, and work across the political spectrum whenever it benefits the people of Tennessee. I’m also committed to being independent. I do not accept money from corporate PACs or lobbyist organizations because my loyalty belongs to the people I represent—not to special interests. Whether you live in Memphis, Franklin, Shelby County, Williamson County, or one of our rural communities, you deserve a representative who will show up, listen, and work every day to solve problems instead of creating them. This campaign isn’t about left versus right. It’s about right versus wrong. It’s about people over politics, service over self-interest, and building a government worthy of the trust the American people place in it. That’s the kind of representative I intend to be.

In your own words, describe the responsibilities of the office you are seeking.

The first responsibility of a member of Congress is to represent the people of their district and not political parties, special interests, or themselves. That means listening to constituents, understanding the challenges they face, and ensuring their voices are heard in Washington. A member of Congress has three primary constitutional responsibilities: to write and vote on laws, to oversee the executive branch to ensure laws are faithfully executed, and to control federal spending through the power of the purse. Congress also has a duty to protect the Constitution, defend individual rights, and provide a system of checks and balances that prevents any branch of government from becoming too powerful. Beyond those constitutional duties, I believe a representative should be visible and accessible. That means maintaining a strong constituent services office that helps people navigate federal agencies, assisting veterans, seniors, small businesses, farmers, and anyone who needs help working with the federal government. Finally, a representative should bring people together to solve problems. While we won’t agree on every issue, we can disagree respectfully, find common ground where possible, and always put the interests of the people ahead of partisan politics. Public office is a position of trust, and every decision should be guided by integrity, transparency, and a commitment to serving the people.

What are your priorities for this office?

I will work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and strengthen access to mental health and addiction services. I want to lower the cost of living by supporting good-paying jobs, workforce development, small businesses, family farms, and policies that make housing and childcare more affordable. I believe every child deserves access to a quality education. That means investing in public schools, supporting teachers, expanding career and technical education, and ensuring students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. Keeping our communities safe requires a balanced approach. We should support law enforcement while also addressing the root causes of crime through prevention, treatment, economic opportunity, and strong communities. I will defend our constitutional rights, protect voting rights, strengthen government accountability, and ensure Congress fulfills its oversight responsibilities. I also believe Congress has a duty to exercise responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. Above all, my priority is to be an independent voice for the people of Tennessee. I don’t accept money from corporate PACs or lobbyist organizations because my responsibility is to the people I represent. Every vote I cast will be guided by one question: Does this make life better for the people of Tennessee?

Describe your qualifications for this office.

For more than 30 years, I’ve led organizations in healthcare, finance, technology, and nonprofit leadership. Most recently, I served as Chief Operating Officer of a national healthcare organization, where I worked to improve access to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities while leading complex operations, managing budgets, and building high-performing teams. I founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving vulnerable families and individuals, and today I serve as a pastor, working alongside people facing poverty, addiction, homelessness, and other everyday challenges. Those experiences have given me firsthand insight into the issues many Tennesseans face and reinforced the importance of listening before leading. I hold a doctorate in social psychology, along with graduate degrees in business and information systems, but the most important lessons I’ve learned have come from serving people in my community. I’ve managed large budgets, led organizational change, negotiated solutions, and brought diverse groups together to achieve common goals. I believe Congress needs more leaders who understand both public service and real-world management. I have spent my career delivering results, building consensus, and putting people first. If elected, I will bring that same commitment, integrity, and accountability to representing the people of Tennessee.