Erik Wiatr shared a post on the West Knox Republican Club Facebook page and Gina Oster’s opponent responded with a defense.

The defense is one that those that in Washington’s beltway or on the Nashville porch (the one that a legislative pause allows legislators to relax and votes flip) and backrooms can relate. Ignore the Democrat votes or Democrat financial support, he raised $35,000 for a Congressman. That is sometimes called the ole “I have Congressman in my pocket“ tactic.

Ask the members of the Republican State Executive Committee that voiced the opinion that he NOT be on the Republican ballot. But the ole “Congressman in the pocket” may have trumped their opinion, because he is Oster’s opponent.

So, that is the Mannis defense!