On Sunday, several candidates for State House districts called on Governor Lee, Attorney General Slatery, and the General Assembly to take action in order to help the Tennessee National Guard soldiers who refused to comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Gino Bulso, a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives, District 61, released a statement supporting the members of the Tennessee Army National Guard, more than 500 of whom entered a no-pay status, along with the loss of their health insurance and life insurance benefits, simply because they decided not to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
“When they joined the Tennessee Army National Guard, each one of these guardsmen took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the State of Tennessee,” Bulso said. “Each has kept that oath.” “It is now time for the State of Tennessee to honor its commitment to support and defend these guardsmen, Bulso continued. “To allow these guardsmen to be punished in this manner for simply exercising their God-given right to medical freedom and autonomy is contrary to all the State of Tennessee stands for.”
“Without further delay, the Tennessee Attorney General’s office should mobilize to defend these brave guardsmen in court against the imprudent – and likely unlawful – August 24, 2021 vaccine order from the Department of Defense,” Bulso added.
Gabriel Fancher, a candidate in the race for Tennessee House District 13, said, “I support medical freedom and an individual’s right to choose what is injected into their body. We must all stand against the federal overreach and defend these members of the National Guard, because if we do not, it may be your job or mine that they come after next,” he added.
Monty Fritts, a candidate in the Tennessee House District 32 contest, is a veteran of the Iraq War and commented in support of the National Guard soldiers.
“These Tennesseans served us in times of emergency and war, have been disappointed by the VA system for their healthcare, and now we fail to have their “6” at this critical time. It is a good thing that these Volunteers have the grit to stand up and fight, for it seems the leadership doesn’t. These types of failed leadership lead to depression, anxieties, and hopelessness. I hope the folks in Nashville remember 22 per day,” said Fritts, referring to current statistics about the number of PTSD military who take their own lives.
Jason Gilliam, who is running in the House District 64 Republican primary against incumbent State Representative Scott Cepicky, said, “Having a father who proudly served our country in the Army during World War II and the Air Force in the Korean War, our military in the state of Tennessee is the prime example of what it means to be from the Volunteer State. Denying our Tennessee National Guard members, many who have dedicated their entire livelihood and professional career to serving, their ability to do their job and put their lives on the line to protect our state over the taking of the COVID vaccine is wrong. We must take action, and if elected I will be vocal in ensuring that our governor addresses this issue swiftly.”
Cepicky has been very vocally supportive of the Tennessee National Guard soldiers. Cepicky previously told The Tennessee Star, “It’s unconscionable that the Biden administration wants to fire the brave men and women of our National Guard simply because of a personal medical decision they are well within their rights to make for themselves. I will always support our men and women who serve our country, and I will always stand up for the right of every American to make their own medical decisions. I support anything that protects these men and women and that of course includes a special session.”
– – –
Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, Truth Social, and Parler.
Photo “Gino Bulso” by Gino Bulso. Photo “Gabriel Fancher” by Gabriel Fancher. Photo “Jason Gilliam” by Jason Gilliam. Photo “Monty Fritts” by Vote USA. Background Photo “Tennessee National Guard” by Tennessee National Guard.
