01
Military Service
Served twelve years in the United States Army Reserve, including a 2011 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Biography and Public Record
D. Clyde Benson II
Army veteran, Tennessee resident, manufacturing professional, former candidate for public office, and an advocate for independent judgment in government.
Personal Background
A working life shaped by service and responsibility.
D. Clyde Benson II was born in Winchester, Tennessee, and was raised in the rural community of Huntland, where he continues to live.
He served twelve years in the United States Army Reserve from 2009 through 2021. His military service included a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His professional background has primarily consisted of blue-collar and service-oriented work. He currently works in internal logistics at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Madison, Alabama, helping support the movement and delivery of production materials in a large manufacturing environment.
His previous professional experience includes emergency medical transportation, and he is also a certified massage therapist.
Benson has previously sought state and federal office. This website exists to provide a continuing public record of his background, political history, principles, and views without limiting that record to the duration of an election campaign.
Experience
Service, work, and public life
Experience in public life is not limited to holding office. It is also shaped by military service, employment, responsibility, and direct contact with the problems ordinary citizens face.
02
Manufacturing
Works in internal logistics at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, supporting the movement and delivery of materials within a complex manufacturing operation.
03
Service Professions
Previous experience includes emergency medical transportation and certification as a massage therapist, providing experience in healthcare- related service and direct interaction with members of the public.
Election History
Offices Sought
Previous campaigns are part of the public record. They should be presented directly, including party affiliation, results, and the decisions made during each race.
2016
Republican
Tennessee House of Representatives, District 39
Benson challenged incumbent Representative David Alexander in the Republican primary for Tennessee House District 39.
Votes Received
594
Vote Percentage
13.18%
Result
Republican primary
2020
Republican
United States Senate
Benson entered Tennessee's Republican primary for the United States Senate but withdrew before the election. Because he withdrew before votes were cast, he received no election vote total.
Why I Withdrew
After spending time with Aaron Pettigrew and discussing the campaign and the issues involved, I concluded that Aaron was the better candidate. He was more informed on several issues and was better able to clearly communicate and defend his positions.
Why I Supported Aaron Pettigrew
I did not believe remaining in the race for personal recognition would benefit the voters or the causes I cared about. Once I believed another candidate was better equipped to represent those principles, I felt the responsible decision was to step aside and support him.
Ballot Status
Withdrew
Candidate Supported
Aaron Pettigrew
Vote Total
No votes received
2022
Independent
United States House of Representatives, Tennessee District 4
Benson ran in the general election as an Independent candidate for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District.
Votes Received
1,806
Vote Percentage
1.0%
Result
General election
Election information verified through Ballotpedia and certified Tennessee election results.
Why I Ran as an Independent
I ran as an Independent in 2022 not because I had abandoned my conservative beliefs or stopped identifying with the Republican Party. I made that decision because I opposed the Tennessee Republican Party requiring candidates to pay a fee in order to run under the Republican label.
I understand that political parties have the right to establish reasonable standards for the candidates who represent them. However, I did not believe that a citizen's ability to seek office under the party with which he identifies should depend upon paying that political party for the privilege.
Rather than pay a fee I opposed on principle, I chose to run independently. That decision was not a rejection of my broader political beliefs. It was a rejection of a system that placed payment to a party organization between a citizen and his ability to seek public office under that party's name.
I also believe elected officials should vote according to the merits of an issue and the interests of the people they represent—not automatically according to the demands of a political party.
Party affiliation can communicate a general political philosophy, but it should never replace independent judgment, personal responsibility, or loyalty to the Constitution and the citizens being represented.
Guiding Principles
Core Values
Service
Leadership should begin with duty, responsibility, and a willingness to serve people rather than use public office primarily for status or recognition.
Integrity
Citizens deserve honesty, transparency, and direct explanations from those who seek or hold positions of public responsibility.
Independent Judgment
Representatives should evaluate legislation and public questions according to their merits rather than voting automatically with a political party.
Accountability
Government must remain answerable to citizens, transparent in its decisions, and limited to responsibilities it can perform effectively.