GOP chair denies endorsement in Davidson primary
Tennessee Republican Party Chair Scott Golden is stressing he has not endorsed either candidate running for the GOP nomination in the open House District 59 seat in Davidson County. The statement came after a mailer by Michelle Foreman included a laudatory quote by Golden on a mailer listing her endorsements.
“A recent mailer was sent out implying I endorsed a candidate for state House in your district,” Golden said, according to Facebook post by rival candidate Wyatt Rampy. “Let me set the record straight. That is inaccurate. As chairman, I have not, and will not endorse any Republican candidate in a contested primary.”
The new seat comprises several wealthy communities in southern Davidson County, including Belle Meade, Oak Hill, and Forest Hill. The General Assembly redrew the lines of retiring Democratic Rep. Jason Potts’ district earlier this year to try to make it more favorable to Republicans. Caleb Hemmer, a former aide to then-Gov. Phil Bredesen, is the lone Democrat running.
Foreman is a member of the state GOP’s executive committee. It’s not the first time her mailers have been problematic. A previous one urged people to scan a QR code to find their voting locations. But doing so led to the website of the election commission in neighboring Williamson County, which is outside the district. The primary is on Thrursday.
New TNJ edition alert: Mugwumps, vouchers, and the death a player in the Rocky Top bingo scandal
The latest print edition of The Tenenssee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Revenge of the mugwumps? Party purity tests dog Republicans.
— From the courts: Nashville asks Supreme Court for redo on school voucher decision, $1M price tag for robocalls in mayoral recall effort.
— Political roundup: Harwell endorsed by anti-abortion group as poll tests lines of attack.
— Obituary: Former state Sen. Jim Lewis, top bingo advocate before FBI’s Rocky Top crackdown.
Also: Tax conviction may cost Joe Armstrong his radio license, Jack Johnson is getting ready for BBQ & Beans fundraiser, the TBI is taking applications for director, and a deep dive into what languages Tennesseans command.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Programming note: The Tennessee Journal is on summer break next week. We will be back with a new edition on June 17.
Tennessee GOP approves fee schedule for primary candidates
The executive committee of the Tennessee Republican Party has voted to impose fees on candidates seeking to run in GOP primaries. The vote was 33-22.
The fees are based on a sliding scale depending on the office sought. Here is what future Republican candidate will have to cough up when they file their papers:
- Governor: $5,000.
- U.S. Senate: $5,000.
- U.S. House: $2,500.
- State Senate: $1,000.
- State House: $500.
- Judicial offices: $500.
- Countywide elected offices: $100.
- County Commission or Constable: $25.
Golden elected to third term as state GOP chairman
The executive committee of the state Republican Party has unanimously elected Scott Golden to a third term as chairman.
Golden was unopposed for the party’s top leadership post at the GOP panel’s meeting in Franklin on Saturday.
“That was an absolute vote of confidence for this team, and we will not let you down,” Golden said after the vote.
Golden touted Republican electoral successes that included President Donald Trump matching his Tennessee winning percentage from four years ago, former Ambassador Bill Hagerty being elected to the U.S. Senate, and the GOP losing just one seat in the General Assembly.
Golden, a former aide to then-U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Stephen Fincher, was first elected to the job in 2016.
Golden to seek third term as state GOP chair
Scott Golden will seek another term as chairman of the state Republican Party following an election year in which President Donald Trump matched his Tennessee winning percentage from four years ago, former Ambassador Bill Hagerty was elected to the U.S. Senate, and Republicans lost just one seat in the General Assembly.
The former aide to then-U.S. Reps. Marsha Blackburn and Stephen Fincher was first elected to the job in 2016.
Here’s an excerpt from Golden’s letter to the party’s State Executive Committee announcing his latest bid:
Both 2021 and 2022 will get off to a fast start, including the fight to save America beginning in mid-December with the defense of the two Georgia senate seats to determine which Party has the majority in the United States Senate. After, we should all expect to be attending the inauguration of President Trump in January. County party reorganizations, county bylaws, and county calls for local primaries will be happening throughout 2021 as we prepare for redistricting and what will be a great election year of 2022. Of course, our bylaws committee has been working and will continue to refine our policies as we approach this huge election year.
