Much has been made of the TN Republican Party and the counties re-organizing between January 15 and April 15. The months of January and February re-organizations went fine. The bylaws subcommittee (which is my committee assignment) recommended changes to Rule E that a majority of the 63 members of 66 State Executive Committee approved on December 7, 2024 (we have 3 vacancies)
Rule E dictates how the county is to conduct a Mass Convention or a delegated precinct convention.
Some folks have been critical of me, particularly, The Tennessee Conservative News published a story criticizing the criteria of this blog and the advertisers on the blog. They are not and have not been critical of other SEC members whose professions have them doing business with Democrats, Insurance, Real Estate, Hospitality, Retail businesses even talk radion to name a few.
I have been active in Republican politics since 1982, ran for office first time in 1990, at the age of 23, losing to a 23 year incumbent by 112 votes. Then in 2000 and 2022 successfully elected on the ballot. Also, in 2005 elected as Knox Co Republican Chairman, in the Knox County Republican Party reorganization.
Loudon County reorganized two Saturday’s ago, the complete reorg took 35 minutes and was flawless. The same day Sumner and Wilson County reorganized as well and both went well. Two years ago (2023) Sumner County’s re-org was challenged to the SEC.
Last week Cade Cothern reportedly a registered voter in Davidson County showed up at the Lawrence County re-org and publicly called out the bylaws subcommittee and Chairman Scott Golden.
Cothern said here ”rules are meant to be broken and stupid rules are meant to be changed, okay” Cothern, Chief of Staff of former Speaker Glenn Casada scheduled to be in Federal court in April 2025. Following some alleged activity, involving a 45 minute delay in a vote when promises were made on a porch, when Knox County’s Rep. Jason Zachary changed his vote with a promise to hold Knox County harmless.
Yesterday, in Hamilton County a delegated convention was held and the slate of candidates supported by Tennessee Conservative News Brandon Lewis were successful. it will be interesting to see if Lewis and crew acknowledge the rules were wrong or right.
The month of March, we (state party) have 40 or so re-orgs. Knox County Republican Party Re-org is March 29, we will see how it goes.
