Judd Matheny Commentary: Phil Bredesen Put Partisan Politics over People in the Fight Against Meth

by State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma)   As Phil Bredesen runs for Senate this year, he’s asking you to look back on his time as governor. He is highlighting what he did but he is misleading voters about what that record actually is. He regularly claimed that he “cut meth production in half” while Governor of Tennessee until the Washington Post fact-checked the ad and gave it “Three Pinocchio’s” for being untrue. While that’s bad enough, the real story is much worse. I was elected to the legislature in 2002 and wanted to use my experience to solve problems. Having spent most of my adult life in law enforcement, I saw how the scourge of meth and meth labs were impacting rural communities: overdoses and death, children removed from their homes and toxic meth lab cleanup sites. The problem was huge and required a non-partisan approach.  Throughout 2003 and 2004 I worked with both Democrats and Republicans to create the Tennessee Comprehensive Methamphetamine Prevention, Treatment and Control Act of 2004.  But when it came time to seek Governor Bredesen’s help to pass the bill into law, I was shocked at his response. Ushered into a meeting with Bredesen’s Deputy Governor…

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Rep. Dana Rohrbacher Endorses Judd Matheny in 6th Congressional District GOP Primary

Dana Rohrbacher

NASHVILLE, TN–In an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star on Monday, Rep. Dana Rohrbacher (R-CA), a leading member of the House Freedom Caucus and former aide to Ronald Reagan, explained why he is endorsing State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) in the Republican primary in Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. “Our country is in trouble. There is a fight going on in Washington right now that will determine whether or not America remains the great country that our Founding Fathers invested their fortunes and their lives and their blood in order to create,” Rohrbacher said. “Judd is a patroit. Judd is courageous. Judd knows how to get things done. He’s not just a philopsher, he’s not just some guy looking for prestige,” the former Reagan speechwriter added. “He’s looking to help save our country, and he’s got the courage to do it,” he continued. “This is not an easy job. I have been there and seen people come and go in Washington. Having met Judd, having discussed his principles–deep felt principles–that I know will carry him through the Swamp Land in the District of Columbia,” Rohrbacher noted. “I am very pleased to be here to support him, to join me, because I…

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House Freedom Fund Endorses Judd Matheny in 6th Congressional District GOP Primary

The House Freedom Fund has endorsed State Rep. Judd Matheny in th 6th Congressional District Republican primary to replace Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06), who is running for governor. “I’m very proud to announce the House Freedom Fund’s endorsement of Judd Matheny for Congress in Tennessee’s 6th district,” Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the House Freedom Fund (HFF) said in a press release: Judd currently serves as a State Representative in the Tennessee legislature where he has a proven record of fighting for conservative policies. He has led efforts to stop sanctuary cities, protext the unborn, defend the Second Amendment, and block Common Core. Judd also is a veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard and a former local and state law enforcement member. He now owns a small recycling business with 69 employees. He values the rule of law and understands whey we need to get the government off the backs of small businesses. I have gotten to know Judd over the past year and I know that he will help fight for conservative principles and values if he’s elected. The 6th district is solidly Republican so if Judd wins the primary he will be heavily favored to win the…

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Judd Matheny Hires Former Top Ted Cruz Strategist for 6th Congressional District Campaign Team

Tennessee Star

State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) announced the hiring of John Drogin, a former top Ted Cruz strategist for his campaign to win the Republican nomination for the Sixth Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06), who is running for governor. “Drogin has more than 15 years of experience working for successful, conservative campaigns. He served as campaign manager for Ted Cruz’s first Senate Campaign in 2011-2012, which was called the “biggest upset of 2012.” He then served as State Director for Cruz’s Senate office, and as a senior advisor to the main Super PACs supporting Cruz for President,” the Matheny campaign said in a statement to The Tennessee Star. He is the founder Drogin Group, a political and digital media consulting firm. “John Drogin is a great American. He has the same energy and principled conservative DNA that is part of the political souls of Tennesseans in the 6th District. He will be a great asset to a successful campaign for us,” State Rep. Matheny said. Drogin was equally enthuiastic about joining the Matheny campaign. “Judd gets it. He is the true, principled conservative in this race. Voters are hungry for someone who will change the status quo in Washington.…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Travels 8,000 Miles During First 40 Days of Campaign for 6th Congressional District GOP Nomination

State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) has traveled more than 8,000 miles across the 6th Congressional District in the first 40 days since he announced his candidacy for the GOP nomination to succeed Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) as the district’s representative in the United States House of Representatives, according to his campaign. “Since his announcement on June 30th, Matheny and his Campaign Team have covered an astounding 8,259 miles in the first 40 days! Judd and his team are just getting started!” the Matheny campaign team said in a statement emailed to The Tennessee Star: Judd’s campaign team had a successful, first 40 days in fundraising efforts, and have several fundraising events scheduled between September 1 and October 30, 2017, including one with Country Music Group “Trick Pony” as the entertainment, on September 18th at Tims Ford Lake, Holiday Landing Marina – Blue Gill Restaurant! Contact Jennifer Hamblin at 615.504.0244 for ticket information. You have got to love Judd’s theme – “For Our Tomorrow, Judd Takes Action Today.” So far, he is living up to this anthem. “No one will out work me or be more dedicated to the citizens of the sixth district,” Matheny said.   In June, Matheny spearheaded…

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Judd Matheny Speaks to Fairfield Glade Republicans in Cumberland County

No one will out work State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) as he continues to campaign throughout the Sixth Congressional District in his quest to win the Republican nomination for Congress and the general election in 2018. On Monday, he spoke to a gathering of the Fairfield Glade Republican Party in Cumberland County. Matheny touched on the conservative themes that have been the key message of his campaign since his formal announcement last month. He pledged to focus on national security, state sovereignty, and better healthcare, transportation, and housing for our rapidly growing senior population, a topic of particular concern for residents of Fairfield Glade, a well known and popular retirement community. Matheny also told the audience about his personal background in law enforcement and the military, as well as his fifteen years as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives. He provided some detailed information about the recent session of the Tennessee General Assembly, which saw a battled over the gas tax increase, which he opposed, but which ultimately passed, was signed into law, and went into effect on July 1. Matheny also focused on one of his key pledges to improve communications between Washington and the state government…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Running at Full Speed for Sixth Congressional District Seat: 500 Miles in First Week

One week after he formally announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Congress in the Sixth Congressional District, State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) is already running at full speed. The August 2018 Republican primary is still more than a year off, but Matheny is not wasting a minute of his time. On Friday, his campaign announced that in the first seven days since his announcement he has traveled more than 500 miles throughout the Sixth Congressional District. The district is currently represented by Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06), who is considered to be a likely candidate for the Republican nomination for governor. When he announced on June 30, Matheny made it clear that he was running for the Sixth Congressional District seat whether or not Black chooses to run for governor. “During my 8 terms as a TN Representative, I have learned the value and necessity of planning ahead for important decisions and missions. As a candidate for the next District 6 Congressional Leader, I will continue to work hard and communicate with the voters, for their interests,” Matheny said in a statement released by his campaign on Friday. His statement included his very busy schedule of campaign appearances throughout…

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Game On: Judd Matheny Announces Candidacy for Congress in Sixth District Whether Diane Black Runs for Governor or Not

  State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) made a bold political move on Friday, formally announcing his candidacy for Congress in the Sixth District of Tennessee currently represented by Congressman Diane Black in an interview with WMSR radio in Manchester. Matheny made it clear he’s in it to win it, whether Black runs for governor, as many expect she will, or not. The State Representative from Coffee County’s announcement comes less than three weeks after he told The Tennessee Star “I’m 100 percent in the race for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District. I’m not making a formal announcement until Diane Black announces for governor.” A veteran of the Tennessee Army National Guard as well as local and state law enforcement who has served in the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2002, Matheny “has been one of Tennessee’s most consistently conservative legislators and activists,” his announcement said: He has a perfect record protecting the unborn and our Second Amendment. Judd opposes illegal immigration and was just recently responsible for leading the successful fight to stop Nashville City Council ‘s attempt to become a sanctuary city. During the forced attempt to implement Common Core by establishment Republicans, Matheny orchestrated a maneuver to stop the initiative…

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State Representatives Who Spearheaded Effort to Stop Sanctuary City Ordinance ‘Look Forward to Working in Partnership with Nashville’

State Representatives Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), Bryan Terry (R-Murfeesboro), and Sheila Butt (R-Columbia), who spearheaded the effort to obtain signatures of 63 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives on a letter expressing opposition to the proposed, now withdrawn, Metro Nashville sanctuary city ordinances, released a statement about that withdrawal on Thursday. “Yesterday, with the withdrawing of the proposed Nashville sanctuary city ordinances by Councilmen Mendes and Sledge, the voices of many Tennesseans were heard. The threat of Nashville becoming a sanctuary city or even a de facto sanctuary city for illegal immigrants who commit criminal offenses mobilized grassroots organizations and numerous citizens to stand in the gap for the safety and security of all Tennesseans and legal residents of the state including immigrants and refugees,” the statement began. “We would like to personally thank the individuals and organizations that advocated for their fellow Tennesseans by emailing and calling their elected officials including Metro Nashville Council Members. We are a government of, for, and by the people and public participation is the cornerstone of our republic,” the statement continued: Additionally, we would like to thank the Tennessee General Assembly for their overwhelming and decisive response to the pending legislation. There were…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Speaks in Jackson County About Plan to Stop Nashville Sanctuary City Ordinance

State Rep. Judd Matheny  (R-Tullahoma) was in Jackson County on Tuesday, where he spoke to a crowd in Gainesboro about Nashville’s attempt to become a bona fide sanctuary city. Matheny spoke of the overwhelming number of Republican House members who are opposing the measure and who will intensify the fight against the initiative should a third reading pass or the motion simply be tabled for a later date. Matheny noted that the most up to date and reliable coverage of the sanctuary city issue has been provided by The Tennessee Star. The residents attending the meeting expressed strong approval for efforts to stop the Nashville sanctuary city ordinance, and were particularly interested in the details of the plans to oppose it. Matheny, as one of the leaders in the Tennessee General Assembly of the effort to stop the Nashville sanctuary city ordinance, provided details about the 63 members of the Tennessee House of Representatives who signed a letter, which was sent from his office, outlining their opposition to proposed ordinance, and asking members of the Metro Nashville City Council to vote against it. First elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2002, Matheny is one of at least two conservatives who…

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Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Lee: ‘Creating a Sanctuary City in Nashville Puts Our Entire State At Risk’

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Lee released a statement Monday evening offering “Comments on Tennessee House Member’s Statement on Nashville City Council Sanctuary City Proposal.” On Monday afternoon, the office of State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) released a statement prepared by Matheny, State Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesoboro) and State Rep. Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) and signed by 63 Republican members of the Tennessee House of Representatives imploring members of the Metro Nashville City Council to reject a proposed sanctuary city ordinance. “I am 100% opposed to ‘sanctuary cities.’ Creating a ‘sanctuary city’ in Nashville puts our entire state at risk and as Governor, I would use every tool at my disposal to halt the adoption of these types of policies,” Lee said in the statement. “We are a welcoming and compassionate state. Tennesseans want to ensure those who come here do so legally and safely. A ‘sanctuary city’ policy ensures the opposite,” Lee concluded in his statement.

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63 Members of Tennessee House of Representatives Object to Passage of Nashville’s Proposed Sanctuary City Ordinance

Tennessee Star

  Sixty-three members of the 99 member Tennessee House of Representatives, all Republicans, released a statement opposing the passage of a proposed sanctuary city ordinance by Metro Nashville Council. “With the Second Reading of the Ordinances filed by Metro Councilmen Bob Mendes and Colby Sledge having passed and a vote pending from the Metro Council, we are compelled to make public the intent and purposes of this Ordinance and to make it known that as Representatives of the State of Tennessee, we soundly object to their passage. Tennessee is currently being represented by the Thomas More Law Center in a lawsuit questioning the ongoing practice of settling refugees in Tennessee through various non-governmental organizations without the proper vetting, channels or protocol being followed,” State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), State Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro), and State Rep. Sheila Butt (R-Columbia) said in a statement released on Monday from Matheny’s office: The Ordinances would formally put policies in place that would officially make Nashville a Sanctuary City. In essence, the Ordinances would: 1) Prohibit Metro Nashville employees from inquiring into anyone’s immigration status, effectively enabling illegal aliens to access public benefits they would otherwise be barred from using. This practice is not…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Pledges ‘To Orchestrate a Massive Response to Davidson County’s Attempt at Embracing Sanctuary City Status’

State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) gave it to the Metropolitan Davidson County/Nashville Government with both barrels in a brief speech he delivered at the Cannon County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner in Woodbury on Friday night. “I pledge, along with my colleagues in the House, to orchestrate a massive response to Davidson County’s attempt at embracing sanctuary city status,” Matheny told the crowd. Matheny then spelled out exactly how opponents of the Metro Nashville Council’s proposed sanctuary city ordinance in the Tennessee General Assembly will respond. “They come to us every year for a lot of money, for professional sports teams, mass transit, tourism, business development and other initiatives they ask the state to support,” Matheny said. “If the council won’t yield to the pressure they will face prior to the July 6 third reading of the proposed ordinance, then my colleagues and I will do everything in our power to deprive Metro Nashville of funds,” he vowed. “On July 7, there will be all out political war after July 6,” Matheny said. The crowd, estimated to number about 125, appeared to be unanimously in agreement with Matheny’s sentiments. In addition to Matheny, State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) and…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Speaks at Jackson County GOP Reagan Day Dinner

State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), who told The Tennessee Star last week he was “100 percent in the race for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District” provided Rep. Diane Black chooses to run for governor, spoke at the Jackson County GOP Reagan Day Dinner Thursday night at the Center Grove Community Center in Gainesboro. The event featured Tennessee Republican State Party Chairman Scott Golden as the main speaker. Matheny made news again this week on Tuesday when he appeared on 99.7 FM WTN with Dan Mandis and tore into the Metro Nashville Council’s proposed ordinance that would, in effect, turn Nashville into a sanctuary city: “It’s the most egregious move against public safety that the city of Nashville could possibly expose its citizens, and emergency services and social work to,” Matheny said. “It’s completely antithetical to the United States Constitution, and America. And the city of Nashville – with all due respect – they need to remember that the City operates at the pleasure of the State,” Matheny added. “Plus, I’m telling you, the General Assembly in Tennessee will cut off funding to Davidson County if they pursue this,” Matheny stated. Matheny spoke briefly before Golden, and told the audience about his law enforcement career,…

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EXCLUSIVE: Judd Matheny Says ‘I’m 100 Percent in the Race for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District’

Tennessee Star

“I’m 100 percent in the race for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District,” State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) told The Tennessee Star in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. “I’m not making a formal announcement until Diane Black announces for governor,” Matheny added. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN), who currently represents the 6th Congressional District, is considered likely to enter the race for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018. Rumors abound as to when that might happen, but the consensus is that if she decides to run, she will need to make the announcement some time between July and September. If Black chooses to run for re-election to Congress Matheny told The Star he will change his plans. “If Diane Black does not run for governor, I will not run for the 6th Congressional district seat, and will instead for re-election to the Tennessee House of Representatives,” Matheny said. First elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2002, Matheny has long been a champion of conservative causes in the Tennessee General Assembly Matheny was one of 35 Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted against Governor’ Haslam’s gas tax increase in the critical House vote in April where the bill passed by…

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Tennessee Star Poll: 57 Percent of GOP Primary Voters Support Constitutional Carry

Tennessee Star

A significant majority of likely Republican primary voters in Tennessee support constitutional carry, according to results of The Tennessee Star Poll released this week. When asked, “In 2018, the Tennessee General Assembly is also expected to reconsider a bill that would allow Tennesseans to carry firearms without obtaining a state issued permit, which is commonly known as ‘Constitutional Carry.’ Do you support or oppose Constitutional Carry in Tennessee? ” 57 percent of likely Republican primary voters said they favored it, while only 32 percent said they opposed it: 38.5% strongly support 19.1% somewhat support  11.9% somewhat oppose  20.8% strongly oppose  9.8% Don’t know/unsure The poll of 1,007 likely Republican primary voters was conducted by Triton Polling and Research in an automated (IVR) telephone survey between May 31 and June 5 and has a margin of error of 3.1 percent. “Based on my experience talking to people and explaining constitutional carry, I think 57 percent understates the support for constitutional carry in Tennessee,” John Harris, executive director of the Tennessee Firearms Association, tells The Tennessee Star. “This is because people think constitutional carry will eliminate the possibility to get handgun permits for reciprocity purposes in other states,” he adds. “Even with…

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House Republican Conservatives Put Up a Valiant Fight Against Gov. Haslam’s Gas Tax Increase, Setting Stage for 2018 Election

  When the Tennessee House of Representatives passed Governor Haslam’s gas tax increase bill by a 60 to 37 margin on Wednesday, a bare majority of Republicans–37 for and 35 against—voted yes in favor of the unpopular tax increase. The 35 conservative Republicans who stood for the foundational principle of limited government were not sufficient to withstand the huge financial and political pressures mounted by the special interests who wanted the bill to pass. Those forces arrayed against the conservative opposition were significant, beginning with Governor Haslam’s taxpayer funded statewide tour that promoted a 962 road project list in all 95 counties, the support of lobbying groups numbering in the thirties, tax reductions for a select group of businesses, and a reported $250 million taxpayer funded deal for the Democrats. These conservatives lost the battle in 2017, but the war for the Tennessee General Assembly election in 2018 has just begun. The arguments made by these 35 stalwarts on the floor of the House on Wednesday will resonate throughout the state over the next year and a half. The process through the House subcommittees and committees was not without controversy including the make up of the Transportation Committee, procedural issues, breaking…

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WWTN’s Ralph Bristol Blasts Conservative State Representative Who Opposes Haslam’s Gas Tax Increase Bill

Tennessee Star

  Ralph Bristol, host of Nashville’s Morning News on 99.7 FM WWTN, blasted a leading conservative Republican State Representative who opposes Gov. Haslam’s gas tax increase proposal, the IMPROVE ACT “Tax Cut Act of 2017,” on his program Thursday morning. Earlier this month, State Rep. Jerry Sexton (R-Bean Station) called on Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) “to hit the restart button in regards to the IMPROVE Act and to send the bill back to Transportation Subcommittee to be debated fairly and openly,” as The Tennessee Star reported. Bristol is no fan of Sexton or his opposition to the gas tax increase, and made that point very clear on his program Thursday. Recent developments “will hopefully bury Jerry Sexton in the graveyard of political one-hit blunders,” Bristol said near the end of a lengthy soliloquy in which he praised the current version of Gov. Haslam’s gas tax increase bill. The IMPROVE Act “Tax Cut Act of 2017,” he said, “is still, in my opinion, by far the most conservative plan on the table to increase funding for transportation in Tennessee.” Bristol also seemed eager to participate in the debate on the floor of the Tennessee House or Represenatives next week when the…

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