MT. JULIET, Tennessee–State Sen. Mae Beavers may be nicknamed the Iron Lady, but she’s not without her soft side.
“She and her husband are sweet, loving, caring people,” said Mike Dunn, who attended her rally Saturday afternoon at which the Mt. Juliet Republican formally announced that she will run for Tennessee governor.
Dunn told The Tennessee Star that he has known the Beavers for years and used to attend church with them. He was at Saturday’s event at Mt. Juliet’s Charlie Daniels Park with his two sons, 12-year-old Brennan and 11-year-old Jackson.
Dunn also likes it that Beavers is tough-minded and won’t back down from positions she believes in.
“She’s never afraid to go against the grain,” he said.
Beavers gave a speech at the rally in which she said she would fight to repeal the gas tax and strengthen vetting for refugees coming into the state. She also said she would push to maintain school bathrooms based on biological sex and support pro-life causes and the definition of marriage as one man and one woman per the Tennessee Constitution. Supporters waved American flags and snacked on refreshments that included Mae Sugar Cookies shaped in the letter M. Her three young grandchildren led the pledge of allegiance at the start of the event.
Beavers was elected to the state Senate in 2002, having previously served in the House and as a Wilson County commissioner.
Rep. Mark Pody, her ally in the state legislature, said in remarks before her speech that she is “tested by fire.”
“I’ve stood by her and seen the battle scars on her as she keeps fighting,” said Pody (R-Lebanon).
Beavers’ conservatism, especially on social issues, has attracted fierce protests in recent months. Protesters were there with signs waving at Saturday’s rally, after which some squared off with a handful of her supporters in a tense exchange of words.
In her speech, Beavers drew parallels to her campaign and that of President Trump, telling her fans that in the 2018 race for governor they can help deliver an upset win. Beavers will be in a tough race in the primary, especially against businessman Randy Boyd, the establishment favorite with money and connections.
“You are going to confound the lobbyists, you are going to confound the pundits, you are going to confound the media and you are going to make your voices heard when you elect Mae Beavers as your next governor,” she said.
Cheryl Castaldo, a retired nurse who was at the rally, told The Star that she’s pleased that Beavers is a supporter of the president.
“She’s in favor of everything Trump is doing, so she’s our person,” said Castaldo, who likes Trump’s “no-nonsense” style and was happy with his announcement Thursday that the U.S. will withdraw from the Paris climate accord.
In a press conference following the rally, Beavers reiterated her stances, saying her top priorities as governor would be homeland security and spending taxpayer dollars more efficiently.
Asked if she had any words for the Nashville Predators, Beavers said, “Go Preds!” Then asked by Chris Bundgaard of WKRN News 2 if she was a hockey fan, Beavers gave a straightforward “No,” prompting Bundgaard to laugh and say, “Now there’s an honest politician.” Beavers said she has been learning more about them.
It is great to have a gubernatorial candidate that you don’t have to wonder if they will walk the talk once elected! She’s been doing it for years ! The RINOS in our state may have to decide between Boyd and Black but for the true conservatives in Tennessee it’s Mae is the only choice! And to the naysayers that say she can’t raise the money to win my question to you is what are you doing to remedy that? She doesn’t have to have as much as Black or Boyd to win. Just ask Eric Cantor and Dave Brat in Virginia.. So if you are a true conservative Mae is the proven fighter you have been waiting for! Time to put your money where your mouth is! I expect this race will reveal who the true conservatives are and who the talkers are.