Republican candidate for the 69th District seat in the Tennessee State House of Representatives Jody Barrett returned a campaign contribution from 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.”
Barrett told The Tennessee Star that he returned the contribution to make it perfectly clear that neither he, nor his vote, are for sale.
“I didn’t think anything of it at the time that Michael came to see me. He had not announced what his plans were for his professional life. He indicated to me that he had made the same donation to each of the other Republican candidates, so I didn’t have any reason not to accept his contribution,” said Barrett.
“However, once the news broke this morning that Michael had joined the Talbert firm with the intent to engage in the practice as a lobbyist it became apparent to me that something as simple as a $500 contribution could be used to sway or manipulate me,” he said. “I wanted to make it abundantly clear, not only to Mr. Curcio and his firm but also the voters of the 69th District, that my vote is not for sale at any price.”
“It just seemed clear to me that the right thing to do was to return his contribution to him,” added the candidate.
Previously reported, Barrett has been endorsed in the Republican primary by conservative country music star John Rich.
Barrett is an attorney and owns a title company. According his campaign materials, Barrett has spent most of his law practice time on “the management of the day-to-day operations of both the law office and title business, as well as handling legal matters arising from real estate-related issues, probate matters, wills and estate planning, business formation and consulting, and general civil litigation.”
Born and raised in the 69th State House District, Barrett is also active with the YMCA, First Baptist Church of Dickson, Dickson High Noon Rotary Club, the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce, and TriStar Bank’s Community Council.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “Jody Barrett” by Jody Barrett For The 69th Tennessee House District.
