Yesterday 48 of the 62 members (we have 3 vacancies in Shelby County; Female in District 30, Male and Female in District 33 along with District 21 former Member Beverly Knight Hurley, seat is vacant, due to her untimely death) of the Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee sat at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1975 Providence Parkway in Mt. Juliet as the Republican State Primary Board adjudicated a challenge brought by Rep. John Ragan (12 year incumbent) in his 258 vote loss to Republican Rick Scarbrough.

The challenge failed 41-7, leaving the Republican Rick Scarbrough as the Republican nominee. Ragan had 9 minutes to present his case. Scarbrough had 9 minutes, Ragan had a 2 minute rebuttal. Ten speakers had 1 minute each for public forum. The rest of the time was for SEC members to speak and then a vote.