Elder John Haynes has been speaking up for our community for more than five decades. Now - he’s ready to serve as your District 11 Williamson County Commissioner.

Elder John Haynes is a lifelong community leader and Franklin native with a career defined by service. Born in 1955, he navigated the challenges of the Jim Crow era and the social unrest of 1960s Detroit before returning to Tennessee to focus on advocacy and ministry. He retired in 2013 from a long career at Vanderbilt Medical Center, where he worked as an EMT and technician across departments like the Emergency Department, Nephrology, and Cardiology. This medical background reinforced his "hands-on" approach to helping people in crisis.

In the spiritual community, Elder Haynes has served as the Pastor of Burns Tabernacle Primitive Baptist Church for 27 years. He holds an Associate Degree in Christian and Pastoral Education and is the Chief Evangelist of Williamson County within the Cumberland Association of Primitive Baptists. His commitment to local history is reflected in his board membership with the African-American Heritage Society and his past work honoring unnamed soldiers from the Battle of Franklin.

In his efforts to widen his involvement locally, Elder Haynes participated in the 2007 class of Leadership Franklin, an organization that builds connection and understanding between local residents and their community.

A dedicated advocate for civil rights and infrastructure, Haynes has led organizations such as United Blacks Unlimited and the United Community Resource Foundation, where he championed affordable housing long before the modern housing crisis. Following a strong run for Alderman At-Large in 2021, he remains focused on securing equal justice, quality education for underprivileged families, and sustainable growth for Williamson County.

Elder Haynes lives in the Rolling Meadows neighborhood where he grew up. He has been married to his wife, Julia, for fifteen years and is a proud father of five. Today, he remains an active presence in Williamson County balancing his pastoral duties with advocacy and community volunteer work.