Middle Tennessee’s most recognized auto dealer has launched a Super PAC that intends to raise $4 million in a Super PAC for independent expenditures to support Andy Ogles and oppose Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) in the 2018 Republican U.S. Senate primary in Tennessee.
“Ogles is the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, the political arm of conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch’s network. He declared his candidacy last week, and his campaign on Tuesday announced the formation of the super PAC run by Lee Beaman, a Nashville Toyota dealer,” the Associated Press reported.
Super PACs can take unlimited contributions from wealthy donors, but they may not coordinate with the campaigns.
Corker has not yet announced whether he will seek a third term. Two people familiar with a White House discussion between the senator and president last week told The Associated Press that Trump urged Corker to run during the meeting.
Beaman said he plans to raise $4 million to support Ogles, citing his support for tighter border security, repealing former President Barack Obama’s health care law and cutting taxes and regulation.
News of the hefty financial resources about to be trained on Corker spread quickly throughout the Volunteer State and around the country.
“There are donors who are already anxious to get involved in this race, and our plan is to raise and spend $4 million over the next 13 months to provide President Trump with an ally in the U.S. Senate that he will be able to depend upon,” Beaman said in a statement released by the Ogles campaign.
“The President needs a Tennessee Senator who will fight to secure our border, strengthen our national security capabilities, repeal and replace the failed Obamacare plan, and cut the taxes and regulations that are preventing businesses from putting America back to work and putting more money into the paychecks of their employees. Andy Ogles will be that Senator,” he added.
“Beaman is the owner of Beaman Automotive group and is also is a member of the board at conservative think tank The Beacon Center of Tennessee; a leading contributor to Americans for Prosperity; and a member of numerous leadership boards across the Greater Nashville area,” the campaign statement noted.
Ogles announced his candidacy last Thursday.
So far, he is the only candidate seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
Senator Corker has indicated recently he is uncertain whether he will seek a third six-year term in the Senate. Three other potential candidates for the Republican nomination–Rep. Marsha Blackburn, State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), and former State Rep. Joe Carr (R-Lascassas)–have been mentioned in press reports as possible contenders. None of these three, however, have made an announcement so far.
Ogle is a friend of the Kochs. They are NOT Conservatives.
Bye bye corker! I will certainly voluteer to work for Ogles–Corker is a squishy rino gopE and is past his sell-by date
THANK YOU Lee Beaman!
This is very good news. Hopefully Senator Corker will decide to retire rather than be tossed out by the voters. He can save face if he just quietly exits the stage.