Tennessee has never elected a Latino to the legislature. This immigrant could change that.
Tennessee has never elected a Latino to the legislature. This immigrant could change that.
Luis Mata is running for Tennessee House District 49
Claudia Mata left Mexico in 2000. The 25-year-old single mom sought out a better life for five year old son Luis. She believed that life was in Tennessee.
Like many immigrants, she worked long hours for low wages. Each morning when she woke, she prayed that her hard work would be enough — that her son might have more opportunities than she.
It was enough. Today, 28-year-old Luis Mata is running for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 49.
Lacking Latino representation
If elected, Mata would make history and become the first Latino to serve in the Tennessee state legislature. Delores Gresham was the first and only Latina elected to the assembly. She was elected to the House in 2002 and then to the Senate in 2008. She retired in 2021.
Tennessee’s lack of Latin representation isn’t as uncommon as most might think. Five states — Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, South Dakota, and North Dakota — have never elected a Latino or Latina to their state legislature.
Nationally, Hispanics account for almost 18% of the population. However, they hold less than 2% of all elected offices. As a whole they are even more underrepresented than African Americans.
But for Mata, this race isn’t about race.
“I’m not out to make history,” says Mata. “I’m out to make change.”
The opponent
Mata faces Republican incumbent, Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna). The 57-year-old businessman owns an automotive company and is an active real estate investor. He is also a career politician. Prior to serving in the state legislature, Sparks served on the Rutherford County Commission from 2002 to 2011.
He defeated Democrat incumbent and attorney Kent Coleman to recolor the district red in 2010. It was one of thirteen seats the GOP snagged to end the Democrat's 150 year stronghold.
Flipping the district
Flipping the district isn’t impossible, but it won’t be easy. The district — which encompasses parts of La Vergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro — has run red since 2010. Recent redistricting has likely made it “even redder”, according to Mata.
“They gerrymandered the most diverse part of the district out in 2020,” he says, referring to the Lake Forest area located in Northeast La Vergne.
Mata isn’t deterred by the map. He plans to trump the Republican with a kitchen table platform: Protect Our Public Schools, Gun Violence Prevention and Economic Prosperity.
Protect our public schools
Education is top of mind for Mata. It is for many Tennesseans.
Gov. Lee and the Republican ruled legislature are trying to railroad an almost half a billion dollar voucher program through the general assembly despite fierce opposition from school boards, parents and teachers all across the state.
The so-called school choice program would offer $7,075 to 20,000 parents in the form of “Educational Freedom Scholarships.”
Mata is adamantly opposed to the measure. He says it will defund Tennessee’s already underfunded public schools. The state currently ranks 46th in per student funding and 44th in teacher salaries.
Advocates of the initiative argue it provides parents with options. Out of state PACs have plastered the $7,075 offer on billboards across the state in an attempt to gain public approval.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it is,” says Mata, who is a product of Tennessee’s public school system. He attended Knox County Public Schools for grades K-12. “This helps no one except those who already have access to private schools.”
He cites Iowa and Florida’s voucher programs as examples where over 60% of recipients were already enrolled in private schools.
Scholarships don’t cover the full cost of tuition. The average private school tuition in Tennessee is $11,341 — $4,266 more than the proposed scholarship amount.
“That’s just tuition,” he says. “That doesn’t include sports, field trips or lunch.”
Mata says school choice isn’t just a bad choice, but a dangerous one for disabled students. Parents relinquish many rights under the Individual with Disabilities Act (IDEA) when they send their student to private schools. This includes the right to dispute a disciplinary action at a hearing.
A 2018 study conducted by the State of Tennessee concluded students with disabilities were three times more likely to be disciplined than their peers. It gets worse. The study showed students with disabilities received corporal punishment at a higher rate than non-disabled students. A law has since been passed preventing disabled students from receiving corporal punishment. However, disabled students are still expelled twice as often as their non-disabled peers and receive exclusionary discipline — such as time out, no recess and silent lunch — more frequently.
Scholarships also don’t guarantee admittance. Private schools still have the discretion to accept or not accept a student.
Mata believes he can swing Sparks voters on this issue. His confidence isn’t unfounded. Sparks has already caught the ire of his constituents and his own school board for supporting the so-called scholarships.
In February, the Rutherford County School board passed a resolution opposing the parent choice program. A week later Sparks in an interview with the Tennessee Holler, said he still supported vouchers calling them, “Liberty and Freedom.” Mata made an Instagram Post calling out his Republican opponent.
That isn’t the first time Sparks has sold out his own school system. In 2021 he went against the wishes of the Rutherford County School Board and supported the diversion of $4.8 million in public school funding to form a K-8 charter school — Rutherford Collegiate Prep.
Gun violence prevention
Education isn’t the only issue Mata plans to school Sparks on. Safety is under siege in Tennessee. The state ranks 10th in the nation for firearm mortality per capita. Since the Covenant School Shooting last March, there have been 1,254 firearm related deaths.
These statistics haven’t stopped state lawmakers from expanding access to firearms. Last week, the GOP filed a bill to allow individuals to openly carry assault rifles.
Despite widespread support for red flag laws, Republican lawmakers — including Sparks — refuse to support any such legislation. They cite the line in the constitution that says, “Shall not infringe.”
Mata says the laws don’t infringe on anyone’s rights. They save lives.
“The data doesn’t lie. The states with the lowest gun death rates have red flag laws while the states with the highest gun death rates do not. We must enact common sense gun laws. We must protect our people.”
Economic prosperity
Mata also wants to protect opportunity. It means everything to the immigrant.
However, he argues access to opportunity isn’t always equitable. He offers licenses as an example. Prior to 2021, some immigrants were unable to apply or obtain commercial or professional licenses in Tennessee.
“So many careers require licenses,” says Mata. “If you want to be a hairdresser. You need a license. If you want to be a nurse, you need a license. If you want to be a truck driver, you need a license. The list goes on.”
“People that were legally, within the United States were unable to work many jobs,” says Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Nashville). “It wasn’t just taking away opportunity from individuals, but from Tennessee businesses.”
Freeman teamed up with the Tennessee Immigrant Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC) to tackle the issue. Mata was the organization’s policy coordinator at the time.
Their efforts led to the passage of a bipartisan bill to allow certain immigrants to obtain commercial and professional licenses. It was touted as a success on both sides of the aisle.
“It addressed the labor shortage and gave more than 10,000 individuals the opportunity to build their careers,” says Freeman. “I’m looking forward to serving with Luis and creating even more opportunities for individuals and businesses.
Mata doesn’t just want to create opportunities. He’s out to make an impact. He told tennbeat he will seek to amend the 2006 County Power Relief Act if elected.
The legislation prevents counties from collecting impact fees. The one-time development fees are designed to support local infrastructure. They are baked into the cost of building permits and can be used to expand sewer systems, add sidewalks, supplement local school funding and improve roads.
“We must invest in our infrastructure to sustain new development,” says Mata. “Murfreesboro is the sixteenth fastest growing city in the country. Our infrastructure has to grow alongside these new developments.”
Currently, the only county permitted to tack on the tariffs is Williamson County, the wealthiest county in Tennessee.
Republican Mayor Joe Carr’s feelings match Mata’s. Earlier this year, the Rutherford County elected official made his second appeal to the general assembly on the issue, asking them to allow for counties to institute the fees. Carr also started a civic website advocating for them.
Something (or rather someone) the party can agree on
There’s division in Tennessee’s democratic party. Members are suing and slamming one another, but in midst of the mayhem, Mata is one thing, or rather one candidate many members agree on. Five state house representatives have endorsed Mata:
Rep. Bob Freeman: “Luis has a grasp of the challenges our communities face and the ability to bring about solutions. He's impressive to say the least and he has what it takes to make a real difference here in Tennessee. I look forward to serving with him come November.”
Rep. Caleb Hemmer: “Luis’s tireless work ethic, political acumen and organizing experience make him an ideal candidate for this swing district in Rutherford County.”
Rep. Aftyn Behn: “Luis represents a new Democratic party: a democratic party that stands up to corporate donors, fights for its voters, and is invested in building a new generation of progressive leaders that can take back Tennessee.”
Rep. Joe Towns: “Luis has the work ethic and leadership abilities to get things done. He is just the kind of representative the people need.”
Rep. Vincent Dixie: “Luis is a proven servant leader. I’ve witnessed him work tirelessly for our communities. He listens and understands the needs of the community. Luis is the right choice to represent and move District 49 forward.”
Following in his family’s footsteps
Mata isn’t a traditional candidate — at least not in America, but he does have a political pedigree. Both his grandfather and his great-grandfather were elected officials.
Mata’s grandfather, Jose Luis Mata Bracamontes, whom he is named after, was a Representative for his home state in Jalisco. His great-grandfather, Jose Guadalupe Mata was the Mayor of Guadalajara. Luis was unaware of his great-grandfather’s political position before this interview.
“I see so many of the same qualities of my dad and my grandpa in Luis,” says Claudia sentimentally.
His mother made him a man
Luis is proud of the public servants in his family. However, he doesn’t credit his leadership abilities to the Mata men. He gives all the glory to his mother.
“I saw her sacrifice everything for me,” he says emotionally. “There was never a time growing up that she didn’t have at least two jobs. When I was in college, she started sewing baby clothes to make extra money. It helped pay for my education.”
“Real leaders put the future first. They put people first. They are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. They are hardworking, humble and kind,” says Mata. “Real leaders are leaders like my mother. When I’m elected, I promise to lead like Claudia everyday.”
