New TNJ alert: An awkward coming together, toll lanes on cruise control, booze bill reversal
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— House Republican leaders, Cade Cothren, and Todd Warner run into each other in a Nashville steakhouse. What could go wrong?
— Lee’s toll lane proposal on cruise control after clearing key committees.
— How the package of bills targeting Nashville for GOP snub could play out.
— Legislative roundup: Outside counsel for the legislature, a delay on bill to add abortion exceptions, a reprieve for Tennessee State, and the tables get turned on the ready-to-drink cocktails bill.
Also: Andy Ogles says mistakes were made, the House tables a motion to honor a vocal critic, the revenue commissioner’s “big sexy” moment in court, and Bill Lee’s yearbook problem.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
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Ogles likes to call self an economist, but transcripts tell a different story
“As an economist…,” is a preface freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Columbia) has been fond of using before launching into his views about the country’s financial situation. But as WTVF-TV’s Phil Williams reports, Ogles as a student took only a single community college course in the subject. And he got a C.
Ogles also claimed to have earned a degree in International Relations. But official academic records kept by Middle Tennessee State University found he had not declared a major and was a awarded a bachelor of science degree in Liberal Studies in 2007.
Ogles has said he has placed a block on MTSU releasing his transcript for fear of becoming a victim of identity theft. WTVF obtained the copy from a job application Ogles made more than a decade ago. It showed he first enrolled at Western Kentucky University in 1990 but left after the fall 1993 semester. He also enrolled at Columbia State Community College in 1991 and 1992.
Ogles transferred to MTSU in 1995. It went well at first, but in his second semester, Ogles got a D in English Pop Culture and failed Intro to Earth Sciences. Things got even worse in fall, when he failed all seven of his courses, including Political Theory, the U.S. Presidency, U.S. National Security Policy, and Child Drama Speech. He tried again in the fall of 1998, and failed those four courses once more. Ogles went back to school in 2008 and managed to get As in classes on International Law and Political Parties, while getting Bs in American Foreign Policy and Non-Western Literature.
While refusing to comment to WTVF, Ogles told the Tennessee Star he had only realized is degree wasn’t in International Relations after requesting an official transcript.
“I realized I was mistaken,” he said. “I apologize for my misstatement.”
As for the failing grades, Ogles said an “an interfamilial matter” had forced him to drop out and return home “to financially support my family during a difficult time.”
Ogles was the owner of a Franklin donut shop and restaurant and an aspiring screenwriter in 2001, according to a story in The Tennessean. Ogles told the paper at the time he had been a student of German, Russian, and Japanese languages and that he had planned for a career in international business. The transcripts show the only foreign language course Ogles took was a single semester of Elementary Japanese in 1995. He got a B.
New TNJ alert: Supreme Court finalists in their own words, lawmakers drop bills into the hopper
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— A look at some key answers given to the screening panel by the three finalists for an upcoming vacancy on the Tennessee Supreme Court: Kristi Davis, Tom Greenholtz, and Dwight Tarwater.
— Fresh out of the hopper: Lawmakers file bills on sentencing, handgun safety, fees on developers, and bringing remedial classes back to four-year colleges.
Also: Andy Ogles at the center of the stalemate over a new House speaker, Bill Lee’s “deliberative process privilege” denied by Nashville judge, Tim Burchett on the effects of not kissing enough butt, and Bill Hagerty’s letter-writing campaign.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
New TNJ edition alert: New battle brewing over abortion law, new faces in the legislature
The Tennessee Journal’s final print edition of the year is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Exceptions to abortion ban back on table when lawmakers return, Sexton could ap-point special committee to evaluate proposals.
— New faces: Photos and bios of all 23 new additions to the General Assembly.
Also: Andy Ogles threatens Mitch McConnell, Vincent Dixie blames Cameron Sexton for his defeat his caucus leadership election, Chattanooga’s conflict of interest loses Olympic trials bid, and Justin Jones has a leg up on his new colleagues in the House.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Year in review: The most viewed TNJ posts of 2022
Here are the 10 most-viewed TNJ: On the Hill blog posts of 2022, counting up to the
10. Whoever signed this Phoenix Solutions document has some explaining to do.
March 8: An IRS W-9 form submitted to the General Assembly in January 2020 carries the signature of Matthew Phoenix, right under a section outlining the certification is made “under penalties of perjury” that the person signing the document is a “U.S. person.”
9. Trump endorses Ortagus in GOP primary for 5th District.
Jan. 25: Former President Donald Trump is endorsing Morgan Ortagus, a former spokeswoman to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, for the Republican nomination in the new-look 5th Congressional District being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville).
8. Casada, Cothren indicted on federal bribery, kickback charges.
Aug. 23: Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his onetime chief of staff, Cade Cothren, have been indicted on federal bribery and kickback charges. The FBI arrested both at their homes. Casada is retiring from the House this year after stepping down from the speakership amid scandal in 2019. He was overwhelmingly defeated in his bid for Williamson County Clerk earlier this year.
7. TNJ exclusive: Lee chooses Campbell for Tenn. Supreme Court.
Jan. 12: Republican Gov. Bill Lee is naming associate state solicitor general Sarah Campbell to the bench of the Tennessee Supreme Court, The Tennessee Journal has learned. Campbell, 39, is an associate solicitor general and special assistant to state Attorney General Herbert Slatery.
6. Read Vanderbilt hospital’s letter to lawmakers on transgender clinic.
Oct. 7: Vanderbilt University Medical Center says no minors have received genital procedures at its transgender clinic and that all patients were at least 16 years old and had parental consent. The hospital told Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) it will pause gender affirmation surgery on patients under age 18 while it seeks advice from local and national experts, a process that could take several months.
5 Here’s the backstory on the Andy Ogles attack ad.
July 18: We found Ogles appeared as a co-owner of a Franklin home between 2005 and 2015, though for reasons unknown he was not listed on the rolls in the 2013 tax year. While it’s true that property tax payments were late on nine occasions, that includes years where the Ogles family was as little as one or two days behind the deadline. But in other years it took as many as 194 and 322 days to pay the tax bill.
4 Former Tennessee first lady Honey Alexander dies at 77.
Oct. 30: Honey Alexander, who was married to former governor and U.S. senator Lamar Alexander for 53 years, died Saturday at her home outside Maryville. She was 77.
3. Rep. Ron Gant survives head-on crash.
Oct. 25: State Rep. Ron Gant was flown by helicopter for treatment at a Memphis hospital after the vehicle he was driving was struck in a head-on collision in rural West Tennessee. The other driver died in the crash.
2. Lee declines signature on ‘truth in sentencing’ bill.
May 5: Gov. Bill Lee has declined to sign a “truth in sentencing” bill championed by legislative Republicans to require people convicted of violent crimes to serve all of their sentences behind bars, The Tennessee Journal learned.
1. Hargett charged with DUI after Bonnaroo visit.
June 18: Secretary of State Tre Hargett has been charged with drunken driving after attending the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Coffee County. Hargett was at the event from Friday afternoon through around 11:30 p.m. when he was stopped by Tullahoma police. He was given a blood test and charged with DUI.
New TNJ edition alert: Kelsey waves the white flag, Harwell denies wrongdoing, state disclosure problems
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Kelsey signals surrender in criminal case stemming from failed bid for Congress.
— Harwell denies doing anything wrong by bankrolling federal PAC with state money.
— Legislative candidates slow on the uptake for new state campaign finance reporting requirements.
— Ogles’ fundraising totals continue to sputter, but generic ballot suggests big GOP cushion.
Also: Former Nashville mayor penning book about rise and fall, Cade Cothren gets denied request for day trips to Alabama, longtime Rep. Barbara Cooper – the recipient of a former GOP senator’s infamous “rat’s ass” email — dies, and an independent gubernatorial candidate faces legal charges.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Campbell hits Ogles for ‘red herring’ remark on abortion exceptions
Democratic congressional candidate Heidi Campbell is out with another ad criticizing Republican opponent Andy Ogles position on banning most abortions in Tennessee.
Here’s what she says in the ad:
This summer, Andy Ogles cheered for Tennessee’s statewide ban on abortions. He called victims of rape and incest “a red herring used by the left and radicals.” This November, moms and daughters, fathers and brothers are coming together to protect our freedom to make health care decisions without interference from politicians like Andy Ogles. I’m Heidi Campbell and I’m running for Congress because in America our daughters deserve the same rights and freedoms as our sons. I’m Heidi Campbell, I approve this message.
Campbell and Ogles are vying for the 5th Congressional District seat, which is being vacated by longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) after the legislature redrew its boundaries to make it more friendly to Republican candidates.
New TNJ alert: Guilty plea in Kelsey case, Durham appeals, pro-Harwell PAC gets Harwell funding
The latest print edition of The Tennessee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Restaurateur pleads guilty in Kelsey case, Durham appeals Registry fines
— Andy Ogles’ lackluster fundraising endures through third quarter while Heidi Campbell rakes it in.
— Independent expenditures PAC founded to help Beth Harwell got major funding from … Harwell.
— Nashville mayor proposes final piece of funding plan for stadium.
Also: Weston Wamp and Hamilton Count Commission at odds over firing attorney, the Volunteers crowdsource the money to replace goalposts after historic win, Mark Green get’s $600 worth of hair and makeup work, and Andy Ogles tries to place this Bill Frist guy.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Trump endorses Republican Ogles in 5th District
Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Andy Ogles in his 5th Congressional District race against Democrat Heidi Campbell.
Here’s what Trump said in a statement released by his political action committee on Saturday morning:
As the former and outstanding Mayor of Maury County, Andy knows how to Create Jobs, Grow the Economy, Keep our Neighborhoods Safe, and Protect our Constitutional Rights.
In Congress, Andy will Secure our Southern Border, Stop Inflation, Uphold the Rule of Law, and Defend our Second Amendment.
Andy Ogles is a tireless fighter for our America First agenda, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement!
Campbell was quick to point out that Trump’s original choice for the nomination was Morgan Ortagus, who was booted from the primary. Ogles was among those prodding lawmakers to pass a law seeking to create new residency requirements for congressional candidates, but Gov. Bill Lee slow-walked the bill to have it take effect after the field had been set. The Republican Party’s executive committee then voted to declare Ortagus and two others ineligible for the GOP nomination.
“Andy Ogles wasn’t even Donald Trump’s first choice,” Campbell said. “He shouldn’t be yours.”
Heidi Campbell launches first TV ad in 5th District race
Democrat Heidi Campbell has launched the first ad of the 5th Congressional District general election campaign. Campbell faces Republican Andy Ogles in the contest for the newly drawn seat comprising parts of Davidson, Williamson, and Wilson counties along with all of Marshall, Maury, and Lewis counties.
Here’s the script of the Campbell spot:
CAMPBELL: My opponent likes to argue.
OGLES: We’re at war… political war, culture war, spiritual war.
CAMPBELL: I like results. In Congress, I’ll work with anyone to put freedom for families first. That’s the freedom to our own health care decisions. Strengthening the promise of Social Security and Medicare. Tools for every hardworking family to build a good life. That’s freedom worth fighting for.
My name is Heidi Campbell. I’m running for Congress and I’m asking for your vote. I’m Heidi Campbell. I approve this message.
