Last night, the Knoxville Federated Republican Women (KFRW) hosted another outstanding gathering, packed with enthusiastic members and distinguished guests committed to strengthening our Republican values in East Tennessee. As a proud member of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee (District 6) and representative for Knox County Trustee Justin Biggs, I was honored to attend and witness the energy and dedication that makes our local Republican organizations so vital.
A Dynamic Speaker: Lakie Derrick from Turning Point USA
The highlight of the evening was our guest speaker, Lakie Derrick, East Tennessee’s Turning Point USA Field Representative for High Schools. Lakie brought an infectious passion for engaging young conservatives, sharing insights on building Turning Point chapters in schools across the region and inspiring the next generation of Republican leaders.
Turning Point USA has been instrumental in fostering patriotism and conservative principles among students, and Lakie’s work in East Tennessee is helping expand that impact—especially as Tennessee partners with the organization to establish chapters statewide.
Upon meeting Lakie, I was delighted to learn she is close friends with my fellow Tennessee Republican State Executive Committeeman, Matthew Johnson. Matthew is an outstanding colleague whose tireless dedication to growing our Republican supermajority matches that of so many on the committee. It’s connections like these that strengthen our party from the grassroots up!
Strong Attendance from Elected Leaders
The meeting drew an impressive crowd, including several key elected officials who demonstrate the depth of Republican leadership in Knox County:
• Knox County Commission Chair Gina Oster (3rd District)
• Knox County Commission Vice Chair Kim Frazier (At-Large Seat 11), accompanied by her husband, Dr. Russ Frazier—a good friend.’
•the Knox County Clerk along with the Register of Deeds as well.
Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit driving our local government and party efforts.
Building Our Supermajority
As always, the KFRW delivered a fantastic event with a great turnout and successful fundraising. These efforts are crucial as we work to grow our Republican supermajority in Tennessee—defending conservative values, supporting strong schools, protecting freedoms, and ensuring fiscal responsibility.
Events like this remind us why we’re involved: to empower conservatives at every level, from high school students to county leaders, and to secure a brighter future for East Tennessee.
Thank you to the KFRW leadership and members for another uplifting evening. Let’s keep the momentum going—together, we’re making Tennessee stronger!
If you’re interested in joining the Knoxville Federated Republican Women or getting involved with local Republican activities, reach out today. Our party is growing because of dedicated people like you!
