In a competitive Republican primary for Senate District 4, incumbent Sen. Jon Lundberg has blown past challenger Bobby Harshbarger in campaign donations, outraising him by more than $234,000.
Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Kingsport, has raised just $18,678 in direct contributions this quarter, but loaned himself another $190,000, according to state disclosures. He has spent $149,642 so far, leaving a balance of just over $59,000 for the final days of the primary.
Lundberg has raised just under $253,000 this quarter, taking no loans, and started with more than $185,000 on hand. He spent nearly $236,000, leaving him with a war chest of $202,500 going into the final days of the race.
Gov. Bill Lee appeared in an ad supporting Lundberg paid for by the Senate Republican Caucus.
Lundberg donors include former Gov. Bill Haslam and several members of the Haslam family, retired U.S. Rep. Phil Roe, former Republican Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, House Majority Leader William Lamberth's political action committee, and many other Republican lawmakers.
Harshbarger has received contributions from the Tennessee Firearms Association and outgoing TSU President Glenda Glover, a notable donation after Lundberg was a co-sponsor of legislation earlier this year to vacate the TSU board. He also received an in-kind donation from Brandon Lewis, of Signal Mountain, who runs the conservative activism blog Tennessee Conservative and an associated candidate training platform.
Haile war chest rises to $625K
In another competitive GOP primary, Senate Speaker Pro Tempore Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, outraised his challenger Chris Spencer more than eightfold this quarter, according to disclosures.
Haile started the quarter with a war chest of more than $453,000. He raised $216,000 this quarter, and spent $44,000. His remaining cash on hand is $625,000.
Spencer has raised nearly $49,000 in contributions this cycle, with about half that coming in during the last quarter. Spencer loaned himself nearly $33,000, and spent $58,000 this quarter, leaving him with $23,600 for the final weeks of the race.
Tennesseans featured in anti-Trump ads ahead of RNC
Two Tennessee voters will look down on the Republican National Convention next week as part of an anti-Trump group's effort to highlight Republican voters opposed to a second Trump term.
Donna Redick and Scott Moore are each featured billboards recently put up in Milwaukee. Both are former Trump voters who have soured on the former president and felon who is expected to officially become the Republican Party's presidential nominee in the coming days.
Redick, of Ashland City, said she voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020, though spent the majority of his administration with her "head in the sand" regarding politics during a period of personal loss. Redick said she was shocked into awareness during the Jan. 6 Capitol riots and fearful that a president who took the oath of office might not honor a peaceful transition of power.
"My appeal to everyone, especially those who have voted Republican all of their lives as a loyalist, is to take some time out and do your homework," Redick said. "Do your due diligence. It’s hard to vote for a Democrat when you’ve voted for a Republican all your life and you're loyal to the party, but this time vote for what is right, not what others tell you we should be doing. We’re smarter than that."
The billboard project is backed by the Republican Accountability PAC, which was cofounded in 2020 by Bill Kristol, a veteran of the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations and conservative commentator.
Tennessee RNC delegates finalized
Meanwhile, dozens of Tennessee Republicans will travel to Wisconsin next week as official delegates at the RNC.
A number of elected officials will be among Tennessee's delegation, including Lee and U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, in the at-large delegation. House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, are also at-large delegates, along with Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, R-Franklin.
Damon Hininger, the CoreCivic CEO rumored to be considering a bid for the governor's mansion, is also an at-large delegate.
U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah, and his wife Brenda are both named delegates in District 3 in the Chattanoog area. Other delegates include state Rep. Kip Capley, R-Summertown; Rep. Clay Doggett, R-Pulaski; and Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton.
Ogles proposes bill to allow death penalty for criminal migrants
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, says he will introduce a bill to impose the death penalty for people in the United States unlawfully who assault, rape or kill American citizens, in an effort to “raise the price, the consequence of the crime.”
“What it would do is it would make it clear that if you are illegal and you are attacking our women and children, that you would be eligible for the death penalty,” Ogles said.
Ogles announced the legislation, which he plans to call the “Protecting Women and Children Act” on his Rumble podcast “Restoring the Republic” on Thursday morning.
“We’re going to send a message that if we have to choose between a U.S. citizen and an illegal, we’re going to choose the citizen,” Ogles said.
Ogles alleged that South and Central American countries are “systematically” releasing criminals from prisons and jails and “sending them into our country,” echoing a talking point of former President Donald Trump, who has made similar allegations.
“That’s got to stop. We’ve got to punish those who come here and think they can commit those crimes,” he added.
Assault, rape, murder, and other crimes remain illegal in all 50 states, regardless of the offender’s immigration status.
Ogles also expressed support for “a mass deportation like never been seen before in the history of our country.”
“We have too many people here that are living on your tax dime, living on your money instead of contributing to society,” he said. “It’s our country. We get to decide who comes in, and we get to decide who has to leave.”
Lee endorses Bobo for statehouse
Lee endorsed Republican Chad Bobo, of Hermitage, in the race for Tennessee House District 60, left vacant by Rep. Darren Jernigan.
"Chad Bobo is a strong conservative who will deliver choices for parents when it comes to their child's education, good jobs, safe neighborhoods, and better infrastructure," Lee said in a statement. "I fully support his election to the General Assembly, and look forward to working with him to create greater opportunity for Tennesseans."
Bobo faces Christopher Huff, of Old Hickory, in the Republican primary. Vying for the Democratic nomination are Tyler Brasher, John Parrish, and Shaundelle Brooks, whose son Akilah DaSilva who was killed in the 2018 Waffle House shooting.
Lee told reporters that his priorities making candidate endorsements have been public safety, infrastructure, and education freedom.
Lee defends $32K spending on 4-day ECD trip to Australia
Lee is defending his economic development team's $32,000 trip to Sydney and Brisbane, Australia this year, saying such lavish trips are necessary to recruit foreign direct investment dollars.
Two Tennessee economic development officials spent more than $32,450 during a whirlwind four-day trip down under, flying in first class and staying in five-star hotels, while meeting with confidential business clients they sought to woo to Tennessee.
State law allows the department to keep records of who officials met with, where they went, and progress of any resulting business deals secret ― so it's unclear whether any of their efforts have yet yielded results.
After the trip, ECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter billed the state both for mileage to and from the Nashville airport, and for an Uber home from BNA.
In response to a question of whether the funds were warranted, Lee touted his administration's recruitment of $35 billion in economic development investments and 200,000 new jobs.
"You do it by going on recruitment trips," Lee said.
Lee denounces polls, defends record on abortion, guns
Lee defended his administration's work to restrict access to abortion, abolish permit requirements for gun carry, and establish state-paid school voucher programs. Speaking at the Nashville Rotary Club on Monday, Lee was asked by a Rotarian why his administration has pursued and established policies that, according to polling, the majority of Tennesseans do not agree with.
"Listen, polls are helpful, but we all know that they're not the answer," Lee said. "At the end of the day, this country was created with a remarkable system of democracy that allows for elected officials to be removed if the vast majority of people don't like the decisions that they're making. Well, they certainly could have removed me two years ago."
Mata, Salinas score endorsement from Latino Victory Fund
Latino Victory Fund, a D.C. based national political action committee that seeks to build political power in the Latino community has endorsed two candidates for Tennessee state House: Luis Mata, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Mike Sparks, R-Smyrna, in District 49, and Gabby Salinas, who is running in a five-way primary in District 96.
In a statement, CEO Sindy Benavides praised Mata's past community advocacy, and Salinas' leadership during 2022 elections as county Democratic Party chair.
"Luis is running to create change and help improve his community’s quality of life, including investing in education, access to affordable healthcare, and gun violence prevention," she said.
“Gabby Salinas’ story is one of perseverance and service to others. She’s an accomplished scientist and political leader who has broken barriers for Latinos in Tennessee," Benavides said. "Electing a diverse state legislature includes expanding state representatives’ expertise, and having someone like Gabby, with a sound perspective in science will be a formidable asset to help advance sound policies and issues."
Memphis Chancellor Jim Kyle steps down
Chancellor Jim Kyle stepped away after decades on the bench in Shelby County. Prior to his election as chancellor, Kyle represented part of Memphis in the Tennessee Senate from 1983 to 2014, serving as Democratic leader in the Senate. His wife, Sen. Sara Kyle, D-Memphis, has represented the district since 2014.
Lee appointed Jim Newsom as a special judge for the 30th District Chancery Court in Kyle's absence. Newsom currently serves as special counsel at the Tennessee Attorney General's office.
“The entire Attorney General's Office is keeping Chancellor Kyle and his family in our prayers as he steps away from the bench after many years of distinguished service to the State,” Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said.
Catch up on the week
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