Tennessee state Rep. Esther Helton-Haynes, R-East Ridge, announced Tuesday she will seek reelection in 2026. Helton-Haynes, 64, was first elected in 2018 and has zeroed in on efforts to ban both natural and synthetic forms of kratom, a substance with opioid-like effects.
Helton-Haynes has already begun the legislative process to ban synthetic kratom in Tennessee after learning about its potentially lethal effects from Chattanooga local Karen Davenport, whose son, Matthew, died at 27 from an interaction between kratom and prescription drugs.
(READ MORE: Helton-Haynes wants kratom ban in Tennessee)
Helton-Haynes, who represents Apison, Brainerd, East Lake, Collegedale, East Ridge, East Brainerd, Ooltewah, Missionary Ridge and the city of Ridgeside, cosponsored a nonbinding House resolution that called for strict regulation or a ban of the product. The resolution cleared the General Assembly and was signed by Gov. Bill Lee in May.
Synthetic kratom, a concentrated byproduct of the kratom plant, is readily available at gas stations and smoke shops across Chattanooga despite being illegal in Tennessee. The natural form of kratom is legal.
While synthetic kratom is illegal, differentiation between the two forms is not easy, making enforcement of the ban on synthetic kratom more complicated and uncommon. That's why Helton-Haynes said a full ban is long overdue.
As the substance has grown in popularity, it has been tied to more fatalities. In September, County of Los Angeles Public Health warned about the risks of synthetic kratom after three adults ages 18 to 40 died of overdoses.
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Helton-Haynes serves as the chair of the Insurance Subcommittee and as a member of the full Insurance Committee, Population Health Subcommittee and Health Committee.
Helton-Haynes, a nurse for over four decades, sponsored a number of health-related bills during the most recent legislative session. One bill expands eligibility for worker compensation coverage to first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their jobs. Another bill she sponsored requires TennCare coverage of treatment for certain pediatric autoimmune diseases. A third bill expands some reimbursement eligibility under military health insurance, Tricare, to Tennessee National Guard members.
In 2023, Helton-Haynes carried a bill to amend the Human Life Protection Act to protect physicians from being criminally charged for performing an abortion to save the mother's life or terminating an ectopic or molar pregnancy. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed the amendment into law in April 2023.
(READ MORE: Tennessee bill to create narrow exceptions to state's near-total abortion ban clears committee)
"I am deeply honored to represent the people of Tennessee," Helton-Haynes said in the reelection announcement emailed by her husband and Hamilton County Assessor of Property Marty Haynes. "Serving my community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I remain focused on solving problems, supporting families and ensuring our state remains a great place to live, work and raise a family."
No other candidates have announced a run against Helton-Haynes, according to Ballotpedia.
Contact politics reporter Ruby Rayner at [email protected] or 423-757-6556.