Who is Representative Gino Bulso?

Article by Farrah Renfroe, TPT Staff Writer

Tennessee State Representative Gino Bulso. Some call him one of the most infamous representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly. The Republican out of the wealthy Nashville suburb of Brentwood has made more enemies than allies. With many Tennesseans who are staunchly opposed to Representative Bulso, why is it?

Image Credit: Photo/George Walker IV/The Associated Press / Tennessee State Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood

From attacking pride flags to somewhat controversial town halls, he is not immune to his fair share of news coverage. The latest controversy he is in is because of his staunch opposition to a bill that would ban marriage between first cousins. Where most would support, passed in the Senate unanimously, Bulso took up most of the debate time to voice his opposition. His opposition stems from his lineage. When this bill was being heard in committee, he shared that his grandparents were first cousins who came to the U.S. from Italy in the 1920s and then traveled from Ohio to Tennessee to get married. Even though he voted for the bill while in committee when it came down for a floor vote, he was one of 2 opponents. He cited the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges as why he voted against it. Bulso stated that the bill “was introduced as a public health-related matter.” Furthermore, he argued that “the risk for birth defects is low, between 1.7% to 2.8% according to the Journal of Genetic Counseling. Therefore, marriage between first cousins should be legal if they first receive a consultation from genetic counselors.” Soon after Bulso’s long spiel during the debate, he proposed that the amendment be tabled, which was not granted.

Like many other State Representatives across the country, Bulso is up for reelection. His constituents are tired of him being their representative. Two Democrats are running to hopefully unseat him. Claire Jones is the leading Democratic candidate. She is a mother, a Registered Nurse, and someone who decided to run because of the gun violence epidemic, rural hospital closures, and abortion rights being stripped. With this district being home to one of the more high-profile races in the state, all eyes will be on who becomes the Democratic nominee and if they can beat the infamous Gino Bulso.