Former State Rep. Joe Carr (R-Lascassas), who mounted a grassroots conservative challenge to Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) in the 2014 Republican U.S. Senate primary and is now seeking to replace recently resigned State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) in a special election, issued a reaction to the acquittal of Jose Zarate, the five-time deported illegal alien who killed Kate Steinle on a pier in San Francisco:
“After illegal immigrant, Jose Zarate was found “not guilty” of murdering Kate Steinle by a California court recently, I, like most Americans have a mix of emotions about the verdict in this case. On one hand, I am heartbroken for the Steinle family and how the justice system has completely failed them. She deserved better. We ALL deserve more from a judicial system that seems incapable of actually dispensing justice in high profile cases where political correctness appears to trump the rule of law. But I am also outraged that a person who was deported five times was given sanctuary anywhere in this country, which enabled him to take the life of a completely innocent victim. Federal prosecutors may still find a way to hold Jose Ines Garcia Zarate accountable for his actions; but it is up to us to hold policy makers who are shielding illegal aliens from enforcement of our laws accountable at the ballot box and by withholding our tax dollars from sanctuary cities!”
“I have led the way in Tennessee when it comes to promoting and passing legislation to make it harder for illegal aliens to get here, to stay here, to work here, to receive taxpayer dollars for their aid and comfort. while they are here. The Steinle case makes me more committed than ever to ensure that we lock down our borders, enforce our immigration laws aggressively and make it clear that those who are in Tennessee illegally will be caught, prosecuted and deported.”
Carr faces Murfreesboro businessman Shane Reeves and former State Rep. Billy Spivey (R-Lewisburg) in the Republican primary in the 14th State Senate District on January 25.
The winner of that primary election well almost certainly win the March general election in the heavily Republican district to replace Tracy in the State Senate.
Tracy was appointed to a position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture in November and resigned from the State Senate to accept his new position.
A reminder of how outstanding Joe was during his six years in the State House because he was not afraid to say what needed to be said putting aside the strictures of political correctness. It will be a pleasure to welcome Joe back to the legislature, this time with a well deserved promotion to the State Senate, if only conservatives in the 14th District turn out and vote for Joe next month.