John Williams Rose, born on February 23, 1965, in Cookeville, Tennessee, is a prominent American politician and businessman. He has been serving as the U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 6th congressional district since 2019. As a member of the Republican Party, Rose has made significant contributions to agriculture, business, and politics throughout his career.
Political Career Path to Becoming a U.S. Representative
As of February 2025, John Rose continues to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and has not held the position of U.S. Senator. His political journey began when he was appointed Tennessee’s Commissioner of Agriculture in 2002, a role he held until 2003. In this position, Rose oversaw the state’s agricultural policies and initiatives.
In 2018, he sought the Republican nomination for Tennessee’s 6th congressional district after Representative Diane Black vacated the seat to run for governor. Rose secured the nomination and won the general election with over 70% of the vote. He has been re-elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024, demonstrating strong support within his district. Although there has been speculation about his potential candidacy for governor in 2026, as reported in October 2024, Rose has not announced any plans to run for the U.S. Senate.
Stances on Key Issues
Social Issues: Rose identifies as a conservative and emphasizes traditional values. He is a staunch opponent of abortion and a strong advocate for Second Amendment rights. His legislative record reflects these positions, consistently supporting pro-life measures and gun rights.
Economic Issues: With a background in agribusiness and technology, Rose prioritizes reducing the national debt and curbing government spending. He advocates for deregulation to foster business growth and supports policies that benefit small businesses and the agricultural sector. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, he has worked to reduce federal regulations on individuals, families, businesses, and community banks.
Immigration Issues: Rose emphasizes the importance of securing national borders and upholding the sanctity of U.S. citizenship. He supports stringent immigration policies, including the construction of a border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, aligning with his commitment to national security and legal immigration processes.
Healthcare Issues: While specific details of Rose’s healthcare stance are not extensively documented in the provided sources, his conservative ideology suggests support for market-based healthcare solutions and opposition to expansive government-run healthcare programs.
Controversial Quotes and Actions
Throughout his tenure, Rose has been involved in several notable actions:
Disaster Relief Bill Objection: In May 2019, during a pro forma session of Congress, Rose objected to a $19.1 billion disaster relief bill intended to aid areas affected by natural disasters. He cited concerns over the national deficit and the procedure of passing such a significant bill during a congressional recess as reasons for his objection.
2020 Election Certification: Following the 2020 presidential election, Rose was among 126 Republican House members who supported an amicus brief in the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit, which challenged the election results. In January 2021, he was one of 147 Republicans who voted to object to the certification of the electoral results, reflecting his alignment with concerns about election integrity.
Capitol Police Recognition Vote: In June 2021, Rose was one of 21 House Republicans who voted against a resolution to award the Congressional Gold Medal to U.S. Capitol Police officers for their service during the January 6 Capitol attack. He expressed that it was premature to award the medals without a comprehensive understanding of the events of that day.
Political Relationship with Donald Trump
Rose has consistently positioned himself as an ally of former President Donald Trump. His support for Trump’s policies is evident in his legislative actions and public statements. Rose’s objection to the certification of the 2020 election results aligns with Trump’s claims regarding election integrity. Additionally, his advocacy for a border wall and stringent immigration policies mirrors the priorities of the Trump administration. While specific personal interactions between Rose and Trump are not detailed in the available sources, Rose’s political actions indicate a strong alignment with Trump’s agenda.
In summary, John Rose’s political career is defined by his dedication to conservative principles, active engagement in legislative processes, and alignment with key figures in the Republican Party. His positions on social, economic, immigration, and healthcare issues reflect his commitment to the values of his constituents in Tennessee’s 6th congressional district.