Yesterday a press conference was held outside Ruth Chris’s Steakhouse and 7 former Chairs of the Knox County Republican Executive Committee announced their endorsement for one of the State Senate District 6 candidates. The 7 were representing 8 former Chairs as one of the endorsers was out of town.

In the haste to assemble the former Chairs, they did not invite, contact or solicit three former Chairs. Prisoner of War Survivor Mr. Bill Tallent, Knoxville Attorney Mike McClamroch or the 2005-2007 Former Chairman Brian Hornback.

This is not the first time that this group in their haste to maintain some semblance of power and control have made endorsements in a Republican Primary. They have violated Ronald Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment before. Ronald Reagan’s Eleventh Commandment is to not speak ill of a fellow Republican. To endorse one candidate over another in a contested Republican Primary is saying that the candidate(s) that you are NOT endorsing are not worthy to represent the party or position.

So, if you are a Republican in State Senate District 6, I ask that when you go to the polling place to cast your vote. That you will decide for yourself who the best representative for you will be. Seven years ago, you made the right decision in State Senator Jamie Woodson! I am confident that in honoring the legacy of our 40th President Ronald Wilson Reagan that you do not need me or any current or former Republican party official to tell you who to vote for.

Just make sure you vote!

By way of complete disclosure, State Senate Candidate Becky Massey approached me last night at the State Senate Debate in South Knox County and informed me that she did not organize the endorsement yesterday and had she known that one or three former Chairs had been excluded either intentionally or by accident, she would have contacted them herself. She apologized to me for the actions of one former Chair.