About — Jessica Fuller for Washington County Commission

Nice to meet you!

I’m Northeast Tennessee born and raised, and I love telling people where I’m from. I grew up just next door in Blountville, Tennessee, and have lived in the region for my whole life. I graduated from Sullivan Central High School (RIP) before earning my degree in mass communications from East Tennessee State University. I called Johnson City home for about a decade.

I worked as a local journalist for six years — four at the Johnson City Press and two at WJHL. That part of my career made me fall in love with my home even more. I covered events throughout the region I never would have known about otherwise, I spent a few years covering education, I told ghost stories, I met amazing people, I kept the community informed of COVID-19, and, crucially, I covered local government.

I’ve been with my wonderful partner Amythyst for eight years and we have two cats that we adore. We moved to Gray in 2022 and love being part of this community.

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What I stand for

My time as a reporter taught me just how important local government is. The folks who are on the school board, county commission and city commission are the ones making decisions about all of our everyday lives.

I believe my neighbors are entitled to transparency. I want them to know where their taxes are going, who represents them and what the long-term goals for our community are. I don’t think hardworking residents, local businesses or families who are just trying to live their lives should be blindsided by big tax hikes. I believe we have the responsibility to grow thoughtfully, for both our new neighbors and our longtime residents. I believe one of the most important things we can do is preserve our beautiful home for the next generation. I believe in being a representative for all my neighbors.

Washington County is growing, especially Gray. I think it’s important to be thoughtful about our future planning — infrastructure, zoning and housing development are important pieces of the growth puzzle, and decisions around these topics should be made thoughtfully and with community input.
Our land here in Gray has done a lot to sustain us. Our community has a long, proud history of farming and agriculture, and I think it’s our duty to continue being stewards of the beautiful land that makes our home so unique. If elected, I will support any legislation that protects our beautiful home, and I will remain opposed to developments that will tarnish our land and potentially cause harm to future generations. Data centers have no place in Washington County, and residents should have the final say on what happens to the land they call home.
My biggest goal is to foster a sense of community between commissioner and constituent. A representative’s hand and decisions should be guided by the represented, and the cornerstone of that relationship should be open communication. As a commissioner, I would take strides to keep constituents informed of upcoming votes, new zoning and changes to tax rates.