Dewey "Rusty" Crowe, born April 2, 1947, in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a Republican member of the Tennessee Senate representing District 3, which includes Washington County, Unicoi County, and Carter County. He has served since January 1991, initially elected as a write-in Democratic candidate in 1990 before switching to the Republican Party in 1996. Known as the "Dean of the Northeast TN legislative delegation" and affectionately called the "Rock" for his principled stance, Crowe is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army Security Agency from 1967 to 1971, intercepting Morse Code in Southeast Asia. Notable achievements include multiple "Legislator of the Year" awards from groups like Tennessee Human Resource Agencies , Tennessee School Board Association , First Tennessee Development District , and the NFIB "Guardian of Small Business Award" ; he also received the American Conservative Union’s “Award for Conservatism” and Legislative Silver Bayonet Award from Tennessee AMVETS.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University; Juris Doctor from Atlanta Law School.
• Political Experience: Chairs the General Welfare, Health & Human Resources Committee and Joint Select Committee on Veterans Affairs; serves on Senate Education Committee, Select Oversight Committee on Education, and Government Operations Committee. Previously appointed Commissioner in the Tennessee Department of Correction by Governor Ned McWherter; worked over 20 years in higher education at ETSU ; and developed business in wound care and hyperbaric medicine for over 15 years. Supports policies like displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, the death penalty, concealed carry, and stricter TennCare eligibility.