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.
It’s the last day to request absentee ballots for Tennessee election
Tuesday is the last day for voters to request absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 election. Anyone age 60 or older can vote by mail, as can those who will be away from their home county on Election Day. Also still eligible are those who are at a higher risk from COVID-19 and their caretakers, a provision added amid a court fight two years ago. No physician’s statement is required to obtain a coronavirus exemption, according to the Secretary of State’s Office guidelines.
About 12% of votes were cast by mail in August 2020, up from an average of about 1.6% for the state’s nomination contests in the three previous cycles. After a state Supreme Court ruling dialed back eligibility for the ensuing general election, absentee voting made up 7%, compared with an average of 2% for the three previous November elections.
Secretary of State Hargett convicted on DUI charge
Secretary of State Tre Hargett has entered a ”best interest” plea on a drunken driving charge following a visit to the Bonnaroo music festival earlier this year. He has served his 48-hour sentence and attended a victim impact course. Hargett last month gave up access to his state car for at least a year. He has no plans to resign.
A best interest plea, which is also known as an Alford plea, is one in which a defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the prosecution’s case would have likely resulted in a guilty verdict.
Here’s Hargett’s statement:
Today I offered a best interest plea to the charge of DUI. My counsel believes I had a strong case to argue before the court, and I have been surprised by some events and actions during this experience. However, my desire is to accept responsibility for my actions and move forward and to focus on how God can use me to make something positive from this difficult time.
The last few months have been humbling and at times very dark for me. I am deeply grateful to my wife and family for their support. Additionally, I have been overwhelmed by the kindness, grace, and forgiveness offered to me by so many people. Your consideration and courtesy will always be remembered.
It is wrong to drive any vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and rest assured this is a mistake I will never make again.
Here are the 10 most-read TNJ blog posts so far this year
Here are the most read stories on the TNJ: On the Hill blog through the first half of the year:
10. GOP attorney John Ryder dies. May 15.
9. Here’s who is retiring from the General Assembly this year. March 29.
8. Guess who’s back? Judge restores Starbuck to ballot. June 3.
7. Lee chooses Campbell to fill Supreme Court vacancy. Jan. 12.
6. Drew Alexander, son of former governor, dies at 52. Jan. 1.
5. Robin Smith resigns, pleads guilty. April 7.
4. Ex-girlfriend testifies Cothren had her register PAC for him. Jan. 14.
3. Lee declines to sign ‘truth in sentencing’ bill. May 5.
2. Trump endorses Ortagus in 5th District. Jan. 25.
1. Hargett charged with DUI after Bonnaroo visit. June 18.
Registration deadline for primary election is July 5
The deadline to register for the August primary elections is July 5.
Here’s the release from Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennesseans who want to cast a ballot in the Aug. 4 State and Federal Primary & State and County General Election must register or update their voter registration before the voter registration deadline on Tuesday, July 5.
“Going into this 4th of July holiday, I can’t think of a more patriotic thing to do than to register to vote,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “With our convenient online voter registration system, it’s never been easier or safer for Tennesseans to register to vote or update their registration.”
Registering to vote, updating your address or checking your registration status is fast, easy and secure with the Secretary of State’s online voter registration system. Any U.S. citizen with a driver’s license or a photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security can register online in minutes from any computer or mobile device at GoVoteTN.gov.
Voters can also download a paper voter registration application at GoVoteTN.gov. Completed paper voter registration applications must be mailed to your local county election commission office or submitted in person. Mailed voter registrations must be postmarked by July 5.
Election Day registration is not available in Tennessee.
Early voting for the Aug. 4 election starts Friday, July 15, and runs Monday to Saturday until Saturday, July 30. The deadline to request an absentee by-mail ballot is Thursday, July 28. However, eligible voters who will be voting absentee by-mail should request the ballot now.
For up-to-date, accurate information about the Aug. 4 election, follow the Secretary of State’s social media channels Twitter: @SecTreHargett, Facebook: Tennessee Secretary of State and Instagram: @tnsecofstate.
For more information about registering to vote, voter eligibility and other Tennessee election details, visit GoVoteTN.gov or call the Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959.
New TNJ edition: TWRA chafes at legislative interference, Hargett seeks to limit fallout from DUI arrest
The latest print edition of The Tenenssee Journal is out. Here is what’s in it:
— Dangerous game? TWRA leaders chafe over Capitol pushback.
— Statehouse roundup: Hargett seeks to contain fallout from post-Bonnaroo DUI arrest, speakers take “truth in sentencing” signing ceremony on the road (without the guy responsible for signing bills).
— From the campaign trail: Channeling “Ole Fred” and blasting the Jan. 6 investigation in the 5th District race.
— Obituary: Bryant Millsaps, who was at the center of statehouse power struggles, dies at 75.
Also: Bill Hagerty goes golfing with Donald Trump, bogus ballots in Shelby County cross party lines, a Franklin road gets renamed after Connie Clark, and the crab walk comes to the Capitol.
As always, access the your copy of the TNJ here.
Or subscribe here.
Hargett charged with DUI after Bonnaroo visit
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.
“Driving Under the Influence is a serious matter, and I regret the circumstances that led to my arrest,” Hargett said in a statement. “I respect law enforcement and will trust the legal process as we move forward.”
Hargett is a former state House minority leader who was elected by a joint convention of the legislature to his first four-year term as secretary of state in 2009.
Here are the counties holding primaries for school board
Under a new law passed last month, county parties can decide whether to hold primaries for school board elections rather than going with nonpartisan contests. According to Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office, Republican primaries will be held 56 counties along with Democratic ones in 32.
Here is the full list:
| Republican primaries | Democratic Primaries |
| Anderson | Blount |
| Bedford | Bradley |
| Benton | Carroll |
| Blount | Carter |
| Bradley | Coffee |
| Cannon | Davidson |
| Carroll | DeKalb |
| Carter | Fayette |
| Cheatham | Hamblen |
| Chester | Hamilton |
| Coffee | Hardeman |
| Crockett | Hawkins |
| Cumberland | Jefferson |
| Davidson | Knox |
| Decatur | Loudon |
| DeKalb | Madison |
| Fayette | Marion |
| Franklin | McMinn |
| Grainger | Monroe |
| Greene | Montgomery |
| Hamblen | Obion |
| Hamilton | Polk |
| Hardeman | Robertson |
| Hardin | Sevier |
| Hawkins | Smith |
| Henderson | Sullivan |
| Humphreys | Sumner |
| Jefferson | Washington |
| Knox | Weakley |
| Lawrence | White |
| Loudon | Williamson |
| Macon | Wilson |
| Madison | |
| Marion | |
| McMinn | |
| Meigs | |
| Monroe | |
| Montgomery | |
| Obion | |
| Overton | |
| Polk | |
| Putnam | |
| Rhea | |
| Robertson | |
| Rutherford | |
| Sevier | |
| Smith | |
| Sullivan | |
| Sumner | |
| Tipton | |
| Van Buren | |
| Washington | |
| Weakley | |
| White | |
| Williamson | |
| Wilson |
One day only: TN constitution to go on display for Statehood Day
A release from Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee State Library and Archives is celebrating 225 years of statehood on June 1, 2021, with a one-day-only public display of Tennessee’s three original constitutions.
The state’s constitutions, first written in 1796 and revised in 1834 and 1870, will all be on display in the lobby of the new Library and Archives building located at 1001 Rep. John Lewis Way N. on the northeast corner of the Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville on Tuesday, June 1 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT.
In addition to viewing these priceless documents, which the Tennessee Highway Patrol Honor Guard will safeguard, guests can explore the interactive exhibits in the Library and Archives lobby and take a tour of the new building. Library and Archives staff will give tours every half hour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Tennessee’s three constitutions are the foundation of our state government,” said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. “I encourage my fellow Tennesseans not to miss this opportunity to make history come alive by seeing these irreplaceable documents up close.”
The Library and Archives, a division of the Department of State, is responsible for collecting and preserving books and records of historical, documentary and reference value, focusing on items related to Tennessee. Tennessee’s constitutions are the highest valued and most historically significant items in the collection.
“The Library and Archives strives to be a resource for researchers, historians, librarians, archivists, genealogists, lawyers, students and anyone interested in Tennessee history,” said Chuck Sherrill, Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist. “Our staff is excited to welcome visitors to our new building and to share our state’s three constitutions and other interactive exhibits.”
The Library and Archives is joining Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum for a variety of events to celebrate Tennessee’s 225th Statehood Day.
Bicentennial Mall State Park is celebrating Statehood Day and its 25th anniversary on June 1 with a special event at 10 a.m. in the Amphitheater followed by guided tours and educational programs led by park rangers. For more information about the 25th-anniversary celebration, visit tnstateparks.info/BiMall25thAnn.
To celebrate Tennessee’s Statehood, the Tennessee State Museum launched Tennessee at 225: Highlights from the Collection, a self-guided tour and online exhibition showcasing artifacts that tell a story about Tennessee, from its First Peoples to the present day. Learn more at tnmuseum.org/TN225.
The Statehood Day events at the Library and Archives, Bicentennial Mall State Park and the Tennessee State Museum are free. Reservations are not required.
For the latest information from the Library and Archives, follow their social media channels: Facebook: Tennessee State Library and Archives and Instagram: @tnlibarchives and the Secretary of State’s Twitter account: @SecTreHargett.
For more information about the Library and Archives and the other divisions of the Department of State, visit sos.tn.gov.
AP: State election coordinator’s memo served as basis for judge ouster resolution
State Election Coordinator Mark Goins helped lay the groundwork for a controversial resolution to oust a respected Nashville judge for a ruling to expand access to absentee voting during the pandemic, according to public records obtained by the AP’s Kimberlee Kruesi and Jonathan Mattise.
Goins sent a five-page memo outlining his complaints about Chancellor Ellen Hobbs Lyle to Rep. Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro), the sponsor of the resolution that would gain as many as 67 cosponsors before it was killed in a House subcommittee last week. Goins said he wrote the memo at Rudd’s request about a month before the resolution was filed.
According to emails obtained by the AP, Rudd’s assistant sent a Jan. 20 email saying the lawmaker was “in need of verbiage and information for this resolution.” According to Goins’ memo:
“Chancellor Lyle issued numerous orders and expressed her opinion ranging from ordering ministerial checklists, destroying accurate election documents, using her specific language for instructions and websites, to challenging statutory language regarding voting fraud. The practical effect was she became the de facto Coordinator of Elections when it came to voting by-mail.”
Goins also took issue with Lyle’s “tone” during proceedings.
Lyle in June told Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office “shame on you” for taking matters into its own hands by modifying her absentee balloting order without first seeking approval from the court. Goins the previous week had told county election commissions to “hold off” on following Lyle’s order while his office revised application forms and sought a stay.
The state’s creation of a new category for voters unwilling to risk their health was criticized as sowing uncertainty about whether ballots would be counted if the decision is later overturned. While Lyle declined plaintiffs’ motion to impose sanctions for the unauthorized changes, she ordered the state to revise its forms to include concerns over COVID-19 among the existing qualifications for people too ill to vote in person. If her ruling isn’t followed, she warned, criminal contempt proceedings could follow.
“Chancellor publicly chastised defendants saying, ‘Shame on You’ and threatened criminal contempt,” Goins wrote. “However, Chancellor Lyle did not ‘shame’ or ‘threaten to hold in contempt’ the multiple plaintiffs who voted in-person even though they signed a verified complaint under oath in her court saying they did not want to risk their health by voting in-person and needed to vote by mail.”
Goins and Hargett promoted news coverage of the plaintiffs’ decisions to vote in person while the lawsuit was going on.
