Aftyn Behn

Aftyn Behn
Aftyn Behn
	Aftyn Behn in 2023
Member of the Tennessee House of Representatives; from the 51st district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; October 4, 2023
Preceded by	Anthony Davis
Personal details
Born	November 24, 1989 (age 35); Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	University of Texas at Austin

Aftyn Alyssa Behn (born November 24, 1989) is an American politician and a Democratic representative for District 51 in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Behn was born on November 24, 1989, in Knoxville, Tennessee.^[1] She graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville in 2008.^[2] Behn earned liberal arts and psychology degrees from University of Texas at Austin graduating in 2012. She attended University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work graduating in 2016 with a MSW degree in Administration and Policy Practice and a Portfolio Certificate from the Texas Center for Disability Studies.^[3]

Career

In 2017, Behn was the healthcare community organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center.^[4]

In 2018, Behn was the lead organizer for Enough is Enough TN, a campaign advocating for the expulsion of State Representative David Byrd after he was accused of sexually assaulting underage women.^[5] She was removed from the Tennessee House of Representatives visitor's gallery in 2019 after interrupting a legislative session to protest the speakership of Glen Casada.^[6] Behn opposed the 2023 Tennessee House of Representatives expulsions and organized protests outside the State Capitol.^[7]

Tennessee House of Representatives

In 2023, after the death of five-term State Representative Bill Beck, Behn campaigned in a special election for the Tennessee House of Representatives 51st district. She was endorsed by Representative Gloria Johnson, Tennessee College Democrats, and Tennessee AFL-CIO.^[8]^[9] The Nashville Metro Council appointed former councilmember Anthony Davis to serve as interim representative until the special election in September.^[10] Behn defeated Davis in the August 3rd primary with 53.46% of the vote.^[11] She won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.^[12]

On November 20, 2023 Behn announced her legislative proposal to repeal the Tennessee sales tax on groceries.^[13] On June 24, 2024, Behn and Nashville Attorney Rachel Welty filed a lawsuit against the state of Tennessee challenging a law passed during the 2025 legislation that they believe criminalizes certain speech in violation of the First Amendment. A federal judge temporarily blocked the law in September 2024.^[14] On December 2, 2024 Behn announced legislation to codify the Equal Rights Amendment in the Tennessee constitution.^[15]

References

^ "Aftyn Behn". Nashville.gov. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
^ "Text me briefs: Apr. 15". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett. April 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
^ "Aftyn Behn". The Forge. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
^ "A Call to Arms on Health Care". Memphis Flyer. July 13, 2017.
^ Haggard, Amanda (May 9, 2023). "Faces of Local Activism". Nashville Scene.
^ Horan, Kyle (May 2, 2019). "Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker". WTVF. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
^ Owens, Mye (April 6, 2023). "Thousands expected to march at State Capitol in favor of the 'Tennessee Three' and gun reform". WKRN.
^ "Primary School 8/3". August 3, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
^ Hansen, Alyssa (August 17, 2023). "TN AFL-CIO Endorses Aftyn Behn in Upcoming House District 51 Special Election".
^ Rau, Nate (June 21, 2023). "Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House". Axios. Cox Enterprises. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
^ Brown, Melissa (August 3, 2023). "Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary". The Tennessean. Gannett. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
^ Posey, Sebastian (September 14, 2023). "Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023". WKRN. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
^ Jones, Vivian (November 20, 2023). "Tennessee Democrats seek elimination of 4% grocery sales tax". The Tennessean.
^ Kruesi, Kimberlee (September 20, 2024). "Federal judge temporarily blocks Tennessee's 'abortion trafficking' law". Associated Press.
^ Taylor, Sarah (December 3, 2024). "THE LEDE". Nashville Banner.

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[1] "Aftyn Behn". Nashville.gov. Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. Retrieved October 26, 2023.

[2] "Text me briefs: Apr. 15". Knoxville News Sentinel. Gannett. April 15, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2023.

[3] "Aftyn Behn". The Forge. Retrieved September 10, 2023.

[4] "A Call to Arms on Health Care". Memphis Flyer. July 13, 2017.

[5] Haggard, Amanda (May 9, 2023). "Faces of Local Activism". Nashville Scene.

[6] Horan, Kyle (May 2, 2019). "Woman removed from house chamber for outburst at Speaker". WTVF. Retrieved August 6, 2023.

[7] Owens, Mye (April 6, 2023). "Thousands expected to march at State Capitol in favor of the 'Tennessee Three' and gun reform". WKRN.

[8] "Primary School 8/3". August 3, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2023.

[9] Hansen, Alyssa (August 17, 2023). "TN AFL-CIO Endorses Aftyn Behn in Upcoming House District 51 Special Election".

[10] Rau, Nate (June 21, 2023). "Nashville council appoint Anthony Davis to state House". Axios. Cox Enterprises. Retrieved September 14, 2023.

[11] Brown, Melissa (August 3, 2023). "Progressive organizer Aftyn Behn edges out interim Rep. Anthony Davis in House 51 primary". The Tennessean. Gannett. Retrieved August 4, 2023.

[12] Posey, Sebastian (September 14, 2023). "Nashville, Tennessee Runoff Election Results: September 14, 2023". WKRN. Retrieved September 14, 2023.

[13] Jones, Vivian (November 20, 2023). "Tennessee Democrats seek elimination of 4% grocery sales tax". The Tennessean.

[14] Kruesi, Kimberlee (September 20, 2024). "Federal judge temporarily blocks Tennessee's 'abortion trafficking' law". Associated Press.

[15] Taylor, Sarah (December 3, 2024). "THE LEDE". Nashville Banner.

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