Author: Aaron Gulbransen

Faith and Freedom Coalition Executive Director Timothy Head Talks Purpose of Road to Majority Conference and Why Nashville Was Chosen to Host

Aaron Gulbransen

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Executive Director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition Timothy Head spoke with The Tennessee Star on Thursday at the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s Road to Majority Policy Conference which is taking place from June 16-18 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

According to their website, “The Faith and Freedom Coalition is a national grassroots movement of over 2 million conservatives and people of faith in support of time-honored values, stronger families, and individual freedom.”

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President of Lifeline Children’s Services Herbie Newell Talks Importance of Adoption and Helping Women in the Pro-Life Movement

Aaron Gulbransen

President and Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services Herbie Newell spoke with The Tennessee Star on Thursday about his call to serve in the pro-life movement and his goals for the organization.

Lifeline Children’s Services is a pro-life Christian organization that counsels pregnant women and promotes and facilitates adoptions around the United States and the world.

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TN-5 Candidate Andy Ogles Calls to ‘End the Ridiculous January 6 Partisan Political Charade’

Aaron Gulbransen

Tennessee 5th Congressional District candidate and Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles called on Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) and congressional Democrats to “end the ridiculous January 6 partisan political charade.”

In a statement Thursday, the Republican said that the Democrat-controlled House needs to immediately end the January 6 show trial and refocus on the issues actually impacting American families.

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Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs Explains Problem with Red Flag Laws and How Biden Administration Is Hypocritical

Aaron Gulbransen

In an interview with The Tennessee Star, Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs explained why red flag laws are bad, how the Biden administration is hypocritical on the gun issue, and how the real topic of conversation should be securing the safety of schools. 

“I think the most important thing to remember is we already have laws on the books to give the government the ability to get weapons out of the hands of people suffer from mental health issues, but the key thing is those existing laws give them due process,” Jacobs’ said, referencing the fact that Baker laws exist in all 50 states already.

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Tennessee U.S. Representatives John Rose and Tim Burchett Continue to Criticize Biden over Inflation

Aaron Gulbransen

Tennessee Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives John Rose and Tim Burchett continued their criticism on Wednesday of the Biden administration’s role in the current inflation crisis, dubbed in some circles as “Bidenflation.”

U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-06) tweeted, “Inflation is taxation — especially when it’s being fueled by reckless spending. The Biden Administration inherited one of the strongest economic recoveries of my life. It took fewer than two years for them to mess it up.”

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Exclusive: TN-5 Candidate Beth Harwell Releases First TV Ad: ‘We Must Secure the Border’

Aaron Gulbransen

In an exclusive release first obtained by The Tennessee Star, former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Beth Harwell unveiled her first television ad for the August 4 Republican primary in the race for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District seat.

In the ad, Harwell calls on Congress to finish President Trump’s wall, fight for tougher penalties on criminals and ban sanctuary cities.

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Tennessee Politicians Celebrate 247 Years of the U.S. Army and Flag Day

Aaron Gulbransen

June 14 marked the 247th birthday of the United States Army and Flag Day, and Tennessee’s politicians posted messages on social media marking both observances.

U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) shared the following message on Tuesday, “Our Nation has remained free, secure, and prosperous because of 247 years of great bravery, service, and sacrifice by our U.S. Army and its generations of selfless troops. Happy Birthday, @USArmy!”

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Marsha Blackburn Responds to MSNBC Criticism of Her Take on Higher Gas Prices

Aaron Gulbransen

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) responded to MSNBC’s criticism of her June 10 comments where she noted that Democrats have pushed higher gas prices in pursuit of the Green New Deal and transition away from fossil fuels.

Blackburn tweeted on Tuesday in response to their article, “Joe Biden’s policies have caused gas to reach over $5 a gallon. Now Biden is using his energy crisis as an excuse to implement his radical Green New Deal. This is not a coincidence. It’s intentional.”

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Kentucky U.S. Representative Thomas Massie Blasts Red Flag Laws

Aaron Gulbransen

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY-04) blasted red flag laws last week during floor debate on legislation pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a tweet sharing his floor speech, Massie said, “A federal red flag law would create millions of second-class citizens. It won’t stop mass shooters but will deprive millions of Americans of due process and their Second Amendment rights.”

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Attorney General Alliance Annual Meetings Taking Place in Idaho

Aaron Gulbransen

The Attorney General Alliance annual meetings are taking place in Sun Valley, Idaho, starting Monday and ending Thursday.

According to its website, “The Attorney General Alliance (AGA) began as the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), a 501c3 nonprofit organization and bipartisan group of 15 western states and three territories. Built on a foundation of fostering collaboration between western AG offices, CWAG has long maintained a focus on issues in the fields of Native American, natural resources, public lands, minerals, and energy law.”

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Beth Harwell Celebrates Flag Day, Announces Support for Constitutional Ban on Burning American Flag

Aaron Gulbransen

In a statement first obtained by The Tennessee Star, former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives and a Republican candidate in the August 4 primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District Beth Harwell celebrated Flag Day and announced her support for a Constitutional amendment that would make burning the American flag illegal. 

“The American Flag is the greatest pillar of freedom across the globe. It is a guiding light to our troops and a symbol of hope to men, women, and children around the world who suffer under authoritarian regimes. Desecration of our flag is the greatest disrespect for the ideals our Founding Fathers sought to establish and to all who have given their lives to defend it. We must protect our flag and our freedom by passing a Constitutional amendment that outlaws the burning of our nation’s flag,” said Harwell.

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Exclusive: Andy Ogles Calls for 90-Day Moratorium on Federal Gas Tax Collection

Aaron Gulbransen

In an exclusive press statement obtained by The Tennessee Star, TN-5 Republican primary candidate Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles called for the Democrat-controlled U.S. House and U.S. Senate to immediately pass a 90-day moratorium on federal gasoline and diesel taxes. 

“The absurd and destructive energy policies of the Biden Administration and the Democrat-controlled House and Senate, are producing the highest gas and diesel prices in history!” Ogles said. “As Democrats refuse to consider returning to the pre-Biden energy policies that had gas prices in the $2.20 range, the least they can do is give families a break this summer as we struggle with the Biden-flation caused by his inept and misguided energy and economic policies.”

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Exclusive: Beth Harwell Releases Border Security Plan After Visit to U.S. Southern Border in May

Aaron Gulbransen

In an exclusive document provided to The Tennessee Star, TN-5 candidate and former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives Beth Harwell announced that she visited the U.S. southern border in May and released her border security plan.

Harwell’s campaign confirmed that she visited the U.S. southern border on May 26, likely making her the first TN-5 candidate to make that trip.

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Metro Council Meeting Agenda Includes Nearly $17 Billion in Requests for Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Improvements Budget

Aaron Gulbransen

The Nashville Metro Council agenda for its Tuesday meeting includes $16.9 billion in requests for the Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Improvements Budget, which is an ordinance on third reading.

BL2022-1268 is an “ordinance adopting the 2022-2023 through 2027-2028 Capital Improvements Budget for The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County as the official Capital Improvements Budget of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County for Fiscal Year 2022-2023.”

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Ohio Attorney General David Yost Attending NAAG Globalist London Retreat on Taxpayer Dime

Aaron Gulbransen

David Yost, the Republican attorney general of Ohio, is on the participant list of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) globalist retreat to London, The Ohio Star has learned.

Along with Yost, the attorneys general of Idaho, Vermont, Nebraska, Hawaii, and Mississippi are scheduled to attend on the dimes of their respective taxpayers.

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Chairman Scott Golden: Tennessee Republican Party Actions ‘Completely Vindicated’ by Unanimous Tennessee Supreme Court Ruling

Aaron Gulbransen

In a statement provided to The Tennessee Star Friday, Tennessee Republican Party (TRP) Chair Scott Golden reacted to the unanimous decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court that “completely vindicated” the party’s actions in determining that Robby Starbuck, a disqualified Tennessee 5th Congressional District candidate, was not a bona fide Republican because he did not meet the requirements as outline in the bylaws.

Golden said, “We very much appreciate the unanimous decision of the Tennessee Supreme Court today. The ruling completely vindicated the actions of the Tennessee Republican Party and affirmed our authority to ensure that only Bona Fide Republicans are allowed to be Republican candidates for office.”

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Tennessee Supreme Court Unanimously Rules Against Robby Starbuck, Political Parties Not Subject to Open Meetings Act

Aaron Gulbransen

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Tennessee Republican Party, vacating the injunction ordering Robby Starbuck on the August Republican Primary ballot and ruled that the TRP is not subject to the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.

The Court stated that Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins erred in his decision.

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Starbuck Argues Tennessee Supreme Court Lacks Jurisdiction over State Petition Asking Court to Vacate Injunction

Aaron Gulbransen

Robby Starbuck’s legal team filed the required response on Thursday morning with the State Supreme Court to the state of Tennessee’s petition filing which seeks to have Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Perkins’ order adding him to the ballot overturned.

Starbuck had until 10am to file the response, per the order of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

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Metro Council Calls for More Gun Control and Recognizes Woke ‘Pride Month’

Aaron Gulbransen

Nashville Metro Council approved woke resolutions calling for increased gun control laws and recognizing “Nashville Pride Month” at its June 7 meeting.

Metro Council approved RS2022-1580, which is sponsored by Councilmembers Joy Styles, Dave Rosenberg, Tanaka Vercher, Bob Mendes, Jeff Syracuse, Colby Sledge, Kathleen Murphy, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Ginny Welsch, Sharon Hurt, Courtney Johnston, Gloria Hausser, Freddie OConnell, Burkley Allen, Tonya Hancock, Sandra Sepulveda, Kyonzte Toombs, Larry Hagar, Zulfat Suara, Bob Nash, Brandon Taylor, and Delishia Porterfield.

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Mayor of Franklin’s Woke ‘Pride Month’ Proclamation Read at Event That Included Drag Queens

Aaron Gulbransen

Franklin Vice Mayor Brandy Blanton read a woke “Pride Month” proclamation on behalf of Mayor Ken Moore alongside City Administrator Eric Stuckey and “Franklin Pride” board president Robert McNamara at “Franklin Pride” on Saturday.

The event, which was a celebration of the “LGBTQ lifestyle,” took place on June 4 from 12pm to 7pm at Harlinsdale Park. The event reportedly had drag queens in attendance as well as other expressions of the woke lifestyle.

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Tennessee Supreme Court Assumes Jurisdiction of Republican Party Appeal of Ruling Placing Starbuck on the TN-5 GOP Primary Ballot

Aaron Gulbransen

The Tennessee Supreme Court has assumed jurisdiction of the Tennessee Republican Party’s appeal of Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins’ ruling ordering disqualified TN-5 candidate Robby Starbuck on the August 4 Republican primary ballot.

The Court assumed jurisdiction over the objections of Starbuck’s legal team, who argued in a brief that their involvement was not warranted. Clearly, the Court disagreed.

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Democrat Judge Favors Carpetbagger Starbuck, Denies Carpetbagger Ortagus’ Request to Be Placed on TN-5 Ballot

Aaron Gulbransen

Elected Democrat Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins, who ordered Robby Starbuck to be placed on the TN-5 Republican primary ballot, denied disqualified candidate and fellow carpetbagger Morgan Ortagus’ motion to be enjoined to his order and be placed on the ballot.

According to court documents, Ortagus filed a motion to be enjoined to Starbuck’s ruling on Tuesday. Her request was promptly denied by Judge Perkins on the same day.

Perkins cited two reasons for his denial. “First, the motion is not accompanied by a ‘verified complaint, affidavit, or other evidence that the movant’s [Ortagus’] rights are being or will be violated,'” he wrote.

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John Rich-Endorsed Candidate for State Rep. Jody Barrett: ‘I’m Not for Sale’

Aaron Gulbransen

Republican candidate for the 69th District seat in the Tennessee State House of Representatives Jody Barrett returned a campaign contribution from the former State Representative Michael Curcio as soon as he found out the outgoing incumbent signed on to be a partner at a lobbying firm.

As reported by Phil Williams of NewsChannel5, “Just days after his resignation from the Tennessee House, GOP’s Michael Curcio pops up as partner in a Capitol Hill lobbying firm. State law prohibits him for personally lobbying for a year.”

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TVA Board Member Harwell Legally Barred from Speaking Out About Woke ‘Pride Month’ Tweets

Aaron Gulbransen

TVA board members are not legally allowed to comment on the organization’s woke tweets, a representative from the Harwell campaign told The Tennessee Star.

TN-5 candidate and Trump-appointee to the Tennessee Valley Authority board Beth Harwell “could not comment on the federal agency’s woke tweets due to legal restrictions placed on her due to her status as an appointee,” said the campaign representative.

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Tennessee Republican Party Files Appeal, Starbuck Ordered to Respond by 4 P.M. Tuesday

Aaron Gulbransen

The Tennessee Republican Party (TRP) filed their appeal on Monday morning with the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville of the ruling made by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins ordering disqualified TN-5 candidate Robby Starbuck on the August 4 primary ballot.

The Court of Appeals ordered Starbuck to respond to the TRP’s filings by 4pm on Tuesday.

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Kurt Winstead Campaign Announces Trip to U.S. Southern Border

Aaron Gulbransen

TN-5 Republican primary candidate and retired Tennessee National Guard General Kurt Winstead’s campaign announced that he will be visiting the U.S. southern border on Sunday and Monday in order to view the problems himself.

“Illegal immigration is one of the biggest problems facing our country. We must act immediately to find solve this crisis. This is a national security issue and it is directly threatening the safety and security of Americans,” said General Winstead in an emailed statement.

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Tennessee Republican Party Immediately Appealing Liberal Democrat Activist Judge’s Decision Reinstating Disqualified TN-5 Candidate

Aaron Gulbransen

Tennessee Republican Party (TRP) Chairman Scott Golden exclusively told The Tennessee Star on Saturday morning, that the TRP will be filing an appeal of Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins’ ruling ordering Robby Starbuck on the ballot on Monday.

“We’re disappointed with the judge’s ruling, obviously, and we’ll be filing an appeal on Monday,” said Golden.

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Judge Says He’ll Issue Ruling Friday Regarding Disqualified TN-5 Candidate’s Motion to Get on Ballot

Aaron Gulbransen

Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Russell Perkins said at the conclusion of a hearing on Thursday that he will issue a ruling Friday on disqualified Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District candidate Robby Starbuck’s motion for injunction.

Starbuck’s legal team hopes that the judge will grant the injunction and put Starbuck on the ballot.

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Rep. Tim Burchett Says U.S. Cannot Afford to Send Billions to Ukraine While Dealing with Record Inflation and Gas Prices

Aaron Gulbransen

Tennessee U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-2) said that the U.S. cannot afford to send billions of dollars to Ukraine given the record-high inflation and rising gas prices that its citizens are currently experiencing.

In a tweet, Burchett said, “The United States cannot afford to blindly send billions of dollars to Ukraine while we deal with record-high inflation and gas prices here at home. Europe needs to provide the primary financial aid since the war is right on its doorstep.”

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Woke Resolutions Recognizing ‘Nashville Pride Month’ and Supporting ‘Stricter Gun Laws’ Highlight Metro Council June 7 Meeting Agenda

Aaron Gulbransen

Woke resolutions recognizing “Nashville Pride Month” and calling for increased gun control laws highlight the Nashville Metro Council agenda for its June 7 meeting.

RS2022-1581 is a resolution “recognizing Wednesday, June 1 to Thursday, June 30, 2022 as the ‘Nashville Pride Month’, celebrating the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities and their enormous contributions to the quality of life in Nashville and Davidson County, and further recognizing the 34th anniversary of the first Nashville Pride event.”

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