Ineffective GOP State Rep. Jody Barrett Defies President Trump’s Support for Tennessee School Choice Bill

Tennessee State Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson) confirmed to The Tennessee Star on Tuesday that he remains opposed to the Education Freedom Act despite the school choice legislation’s recent endorsement by President Donald Trump.

Barrett, who has publicly confirmed his opposition to the universal school choice bill, was asked by The Star on Tuesday whether Trump’s support for the legislation put forward by Governor Bill Lee and Republican leadership would influence his vote.

The lawmaker, who has cited financial concerns in his arguments against school choice he posted to social media, said that Trump’s endorsement did not change his analysis.

Barrett told The Star, “Unless President Trump can keep this from mushrooming to over $1 billion per year in a decade or less, I will not be able to support it.

Asked whether his opposition to the school choice bill means he is defying Trump’s agenda on school choice, Barrett told The Star, “I am representing my district.”

His statement came only hours after Trump’s endorsement, which was posted by the president to Truth Social on Tuesday afternoon.

“Congratulations to Tennessee Legislators who are working hard to pass School Choice this week, which I totally support,” wrote the president, who vowed to return control over education to state governments.

A source with intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the State House told The Star the defiance of Trump’s agenda is typical for Barrett.

“Jody Barrett is widely regarded as among the bottom three GOP legislators in terms of effectiveness. Most say his only service is to his own ego, not MAGA, the conservative cause, or his constituents,” the source stated.

Barrett assumed office in 2022, after he emerged victorious with about 40 percent of the vote in crowded primary in the heavily Republican District 69. He handily beat a primary opponent in 2024.

Despite Barrett and a number of other Republicans in the State House refusing to support the bill, Lee said in a Tuesday interview that he was confident the Education Freedom Act would pass.

“Leadership is all on board with these three ideas and concepts. They want to get it done right away,” said the governor.

The school choice legislation would initially create 20,000 scholarships, worth about $7,000 each, that would help families pay for their child to attend a Tennessee private school. It contains provisions to maintain the level of funding for public schools, even if a student withdraws to attend a private school as a consequence of receiving the scholarship.

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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “State Rep Jody Barrett” by State Rep Jody Barrett.