Rutherford County Mayoral Candidate Craig Harris: Business Success to Public Service in Candid Mike Sparks Interview

Rutherford County Mayoral Candidate Craig Harris Joins Rep. Mike Sparks to Discuss Leadership, Mental Health, and Local Challenges

MURFREESBORO, TN — State Representative Mike Sparks welcomed Rutherford County Commission Steering Committee Chairman Craig Harris to the March 22, 2026 edition of Conversations With Mike Sparks, where co-host Rodger Thomas discussed public service, the upcoming county mayoral race, opioid progress, mental health crises, and the need for stronger county-state collaboration.

The weekly program, heard every Sunday from 5–6 p.m. on News Radio WGNS and broadcast from Murfreesboro in Rutherford County, opened with local business shout-outs and community highlights. These included a successful car show at Mid-Tenn Hot Rods featuring over 100 vehicles and strong participation from Smyrna’s Steak ’n Shake. Sparks also shared light-hearted moments from attending the Holi festival at the Parthenon in Nashville, where he was invited as a guest speaker by his Indian friends. Holi, known as the vibrant Hindu “Festival of Colors,” celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the triumph of good over evil.

Craig Harris: Business Leader Eyes Mayor’s Office

Craig Harris, a longtime Rutherford County resident and successful businessman, joined the show as a declared candidate for Rutherford County Mayor. Harris shared his background growing up in Memphis, playing football, and building a drywall company over the past 30 years. As CEO, he steered the business through recessions, inflation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing staff from 117 to 23 at one point while keeping operations afloat.

Harris emphasized that his decision to run stems from a desire to serve, not personal gain. “I’m taking a pay cut and adding hours,” he noted, adding that he began considering the role eight years ago. He faces incumbent Mayor Joe and Randy Allen in the Republican primary.

Key themes from Harris included:

•  Mending relationships between the mayor’s office and the county commission.

•  Focusing on service over power or money.

•  Drawing wisdom from mentors, such as a high school coach who taught him that “half the people won’t like you” when making tough decisions.

Breaking the Stigma: Navigating Youth Mental Health in Rutherford County and Throughout Middle Tennessee

Progress on Opioids, Persistent Concerns Over Suicide and Youth Mental Health

Sparks and Harris highlighted measurable success in the fight against opioids, with overdose deaths dropping from 140 in 2021 to 65 in 2025 — a 53% reduction. However, both expressed concern that suicide rates have not seen similar improvement, pointing to the harmful influence of social media on young people.

The conversation took an emotional turn when Avery Kelleher called in. Kelleher, who lost his 14-year-old daughter to suicide on September 11 of the previous year after she posted about depression on TikTok, has partnered with the Jason Foundation to raise awareness. In just six months, his efforts have reached about 100 people, with surveys showing 30–40% of students feeling unloved or hopeless. A resolution honoring his daughter received bipartisan support, and calls continue for sustained funding to combat bullying, mental health issues, and youth suicide.

Legislative Priorities and County Concerns

Rep. Sparks discussed several bills he has championed, including:

•  School bus safety legislation setting a 23 mph speed limit around buses, which gained bipartisan backing.

•  Efforts to cap predatory lending interest rates at 36%.

•  Property tax cap proposals and the need for fairer distribution of state sales and gas tax revenue to growing counties like Rutherford.

Sparks voiced frustration over communication gaps between county and state government, high jail costs ($30,000 per adult inmate, $150,000 per juvenile), and the influence of well-paid lobbyists. He also touched on personal motivation drawn from the loss of his brother to drugs four years ago and the spiritual battles he faces in public service.

Harris spoke about family resilience, including nearly losing his marriage in 2009 before reconciling, and credited his wife Suzy and children — Reagan (30), Trey (22, who works in the family business), and Seth (20, attending Sewanee) — for their support.

A Platform for Honest Local Dialogue

The episode reflected the show’s signature blend of faith, community stories, policy discussion, and candid commentary. Sparks and his co-hosts Roger and Connor stressed the importance of addressing root causes like addiction, mental health, and traffic safety while celebrating local successes and events.

This appearance by Craig Harris is part of a six-week series on Conversations With Mike Sparks that will feature interviews with candidates running for Rutherford County Mayor and Sheriff.

The full episode is available on the WGNS YouTube channel and website. As Rutherford County continues its rapid growth, conversations like this one provide voters with unfiltered insights into the priorities and character of those seeking local leadership positions.
To contact Craig Harris visit his web site or call him at 615-300-3727.