Dennis Powers rests his left hand on his family’s 82 year old Bible while he was sworn in on Tuesday to serve another term as state representative. In addition to the significance of the family Bible is the fact that Powers was sworn in by fellow La Follette native, Justice Sarah Campbell.

NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – La Follette was well represented at Tuesday’s swearing in ceremony at the state capitol. La Follette native Dennis Powers was sworn in for his seventh term as state representative by fellow La Follette native Justice Sarah Campbell, a member of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Justice Campbell is the daughter of David and Gail McCarty Keeton and the granddaughter of the late Fred and Cleo White McCarty. Another connection is Powers and Campbell’s mother are graduates of La Follette High School from the Class of 1971.

The Camp Ridge Road area is where Campbell grew up, and she attended East La Follette School before her family moved from the area.

“She received her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee where she was president of the Student Government Association (SGA) and was presented with the Torchbearer Award as the top academic student. She later received a law degree from Duke University, and she was the top student there, too,” said Powers.

Justice Sarah Campbell and State Representative Dennis Powers are pictured at the state capitol on Tuesday.

“What an honor it is to be sworn in by someone from our hometown who has accomplished so much.  It was great honor to have my wife there and to get to serve the people in our community two more years in the Tennessee House of Representatives,” said Powers.

Listen for Powers “Heading Home From Nashville” weekly updates on Thursdays and Fridays over WLAF AM & FM during the legislative session. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/12/2023-6AM)