West Tenn. politicians weigh in on Trump’s victory

JACKSON, Tenn. — With Tuesday’s historic election in the books, WBBJ spoke with West Tennessee politicians about what Trump’s election means for the country and for our area.

“But the people spoke,” District 73 Rep. Jimmy Eldridge said. “That’s the thing. The people of this country spoke.”

Republican nominee Donald Trump won his bid for the White House, and it’s a win local politicians say they didn’t see coming.

“It caught us all, I think, by surprise,” District 80 Rep. Johnny Shaw said. “Even his own supporters, it caught us all by surprise. But before I become critical of him, I want to give him a chance to prove himself.”

With Republicans also taking control of Congress, West Tennessee reps on both sides hope Trump delivers his campaign promises.

“Education, jobs — health care is going to be a major issue out there,” Eldridge said. “Where do we go with health care?”

“These are issues that I think we are all of us are concerned about,” Shaw said. “There is no reason why now the Republican party of Mr. Trump cannot do for America what they say they want to do.”

Our local representatives say they hope both sides can come together after this hard-fought presidential race.

“Now there were some statements made that were racially — I hope those things will die down and go away,” Shaw said. “I’m not looking for us to separate ourselves anymore than where we are.”

“I think it’s time for a healing of our nation and bring everybody together,” Eldridge said. “Everybody pull together and support our nominee for president of the United States.”

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander released a statement congratulating President-elect Trump. He said in part, “It’s time to put the election behind us. The way to make change and move our country in the right direction is to work together to bring out the best in all of us.”