TN Voter Connection was inspired by the late Rep. Barbara Cooper and the kind of leadership she modeled through years of public service. She believed in serving the people, staying connected to the community, and responding to the real concerns of everyday citizens. Her example showed that leadership is not only about holding office. It is about being present, listening carefully, and following through.

That service-centered mindset remains at the heart of TN Voter Connection. This initiative was created to reflect those same values by helping voters stay informed, giving community members a place to share concerns, and encouraging a stronger connection between people and the leaders who represent them.

David Page, now serving as Executive Director of TN Voter Connection, learned firsthand what public service could look like while serving as Barbara Cooper's personal assistant for two years. That experience grew out of a relationship built on trust, respect, and a shared concern for education and the community.

Rep. Cooper took interest in David's work through The Ticket Program and wanted it presented before the Tennessee legislature. She did not promise any outcome, but she believed it deserved an opportunity to be heard. That season of working together opened the door to something much greater than a single program or meeting.

Out of respect for her, David often served as her driver even when she was still driving well herself. What began as helping locally gradually became more than transportation. It became time spent assisting with meetings, helping with day-to-day responsibilities, and learning how a state representative should carry the responsibility of public office.

Later, she asked him to drive her to Nashville and remain there with her so he could learn what to do, and what not to do, as a Tennessee state representative. He embraced every moment of that opportunity. Through that experience, he saw how leadership worked behind the scenes, how relationships mattered, and how important it was to remain responsive to the people being served.

Barbara Cooper and David Page shared more than a working relationship. They were both educators. They both cared deeply about people. They both believed communities deserve leadership that listens, responds, and remains accountable.

Rep. Cooper later hinted that David should consider running for the seat one day. After an accident at home, she never fully recovered. Her passing left a lasting impression and strengthened his commitment to continue pursuing the kind of service she represented.

After Barbara Cooper’s passing, David carried that vision forward by creating TN Voter Connection as a community initiative rooted in voter education, civic engagement, private dialogue, and responsive service. The platform was created to help people better understand voting, connect community concerns to leadership, and create a respectful place where voices can be heard.