Backus announces candidacy for House District 33
ANNE BACKUS
Backus is a mother, grandmother, and an active volunteer in the Anderson County community and in her church.
“I am running for state representative because I believe our government needs to refocus its priorities and truly serve the people,” Backus said. “As your state representative, I will bring the people back to the people’s house.
“My campaign will be anchored by the Anderson County values of honesty, transparency, and doing right by our neighbors,” she said.
The daughter of a teacher and a chemical engineer, Backus grew up with a deep sense of community. Her parents, active community volunteers, used their resources, voices, and energy to advocate for and assist others in the community.
After Backus earned her degree in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University, she came to Anderson County to work as a project manager for Y-12 for 33 years.
“My experience as a project manager gave me the skills to work with groups of diverse people to achieve a goal on time and under budget,” she said. “I listened to different solutions and came up with a compromise that would be the best solution for the team.”
While working, she raised three daughters, supporting them as a Girl Scout leader, band mom, classroom volunteer, and Sunday school teacher. Since she retired in 2014, she has become the grandmother of two boys.
Backus is spending her retirement volunteering in her community. She is a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Tennessee Heartland, advocating for abused and neglected children in Anderson County Juvenile Court. Though challenging, she believes this volunteer effort is her most rewarding and impactful work.
“Through my CASA volunteer work in Juvenile Court, I have seen the difference that resources and family support can make in a child’s life,” Backus said.
She also enjoys tutoring young people in math and working with youth in her church.
“Nothing makes me happier than seeing the light bulb go off when someone understands a math problem. Sometimes, I even get them to like math!” she said.
“My tutoring and working with youth have shown me how important education is in a young person’s life, whether they choose to go to college or enter a trade. They need a good foundation in math and reading,” Backus said. “I love looking at the world through young people’s eyes and seeing the possibilities for our community and our future.”
Backus is also involved in social advocacy in Anderson County as the founder and co-chair of PFLAG’s Oak Ridge Chapter and as a member of the Oak Ridge-Anderson County NAACP.
Backus, a Democrat, will be on the 2024 ballot in the August 1 primary and in the November 5 general election.