TIRRC Organizer Luis Mata Announces Run for State House

Community organizer Luis Mata announced his campaign for Tennessee House of Representatives District 49 Wednesday. The district encompasses parts of Rutherford County, including Smyrna and La Vergne. The seat has been held by Republican Rep. Mike Sparks since 2010. 

Mata, a Democrat, has a background in community organizing and advocacy work. Most recently, he worked as policy coordinator for the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, but says he will take a leave of absence during his campaign. Mata, an immigrant, was born in Mexico and moved to Tennessee with his family two decades ago. He has since become a naturalized U.S. citizen. If he wins, Mata says he will be the first Latino lawmaker elected to the state House. 

“We deserve bold candidates that are going to truly fight for all of our communities, all of our future and all of our freedoms,” Mata tells the Scene. 

According to his campaign website, Mata is running to address gun violence, public education, reproductive justice, and immigrant and refugee rights, among other matters. 

“It is my firm belief that those closest to the issues should be closest to the solutions,” says Mata in a release. “I am committed to continuing my decade-long fight for justice and working tirelessly for all Tennesseans in District 49 and across our state. …Together, we can build stronger communities where all families can comfortably afford to live in our neighborhoods, put food on the table, access quality care and public education, and are treated with dignity and respect."