The campaign of former Brigadier General Kurt Winstead, a Republican candidate in the August 4 primary for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, announced an endorsement by a woke union, IAFF Local 4381 Columbia Firefighters Association on Tuesday.
IAFF Local 4381 Columbia Firefighters Association honored and celebrated “Pride Month” by changing its profile photo on social media to the now commonly recognized “LGBTQ Pride” rainbow colors on June 1.
The Winstead campaign sent out a press statement on Tuesday touting the woke union’s endorsement.
“After General Winstead’s performance at the Maury County Republican Party’s Reagan Day Dinner & Debate, it’s clear that he is best suited to represent Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District in Congress. He has a long track record of supporting first-responders, veterans, and the greater community. We are honored to endorse him in his bid to represent us,” said Joey Norman, PAC chairman of Local 4381.
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Columbia Firefighters Association. Being a first responder is imperative to our lives, and it’s clear that they want to be represented by a political outsider who will put service over self, just like they do every day. I will always be supportive of our first responders,” said General Winstead in the statement.
According to his campaign, “Kurt Winstead is an eighth-generation Tennessean and was raised in a home of educators and farmers. He served for more than 30 years in the Tennessee Army National Guard, including Director of the Joint Staff, Tennessee’s Staff Judge Advocate, and Brigade Command Judge Advocate during Operation Iraqi Freedom III.”
Winstead is a graduate of Centre College and received a law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law. He also holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Kurt and his wife Beth attend St. Matthew Church in Franklin. They are the proud parents of two adult daughters raised and educated in Williamson County.
Winstead is a first-time candidate for political office. He is one of nine candidates in the Republican primary running for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District seat.
This is not Winstead’s first brush with controversy during this campaign.
His most recent comments on the firings of Tennessee National Guard soldiers due to their refusal to comply with a COVID-19 vaccine mandate created strong feelings of outrage amongst the ranks of guardsmen.
One National Guard member who heard the comments exclaimed to The Tennessee Star, “What a crock of [expletive]! Winstead knows better. Winstead knows that Governor Lee can ask the AG Slatery to sue the federal government. He also knows better than most that Lee is the commander-in-chief of the Tennessee National Guard. He knows that Governor Lee has several options he can pursue. If the former general cared about the soldiers instead of trying to get yet another government salary, he’d have said so.”
Another guardsman told The Star, “The former General has abandoned the men and women he served with. He couldn’t even be bothered to show up in support of the guardsmen who are losing their jobs at the event on Wednesday. He’s probably cozying up to Governor Lee in the hopes of an endorsement for his campaign. It is just sad. Winstead is an abject disappointment.”
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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, Truth Social, and Parler.
Photo “Kurt Winstead” by Kurt Winstead for Congress. Background Photo “Fire Truck” by IAFF Local 4381 Columbia Firefighters Association.
Winstead and his wife are Democrats so this should not be any surprise. He would be much more comfortable representing East Nashville on the Davidson Council.
How this guy is a Republican is beyond me. I am very tired of hearing about his biography and NOT his positions on any actual topics that will affect people: Border Invasion and Illegals being brought (welcomed) to TN and EASILY employed, etc. This guy is absolutely going to BUY this Seat unless Ogles and his ego drop out, back Harwell and she goes after Winstead HARD (some PAC $ should be doing that right now too). This particular race needs the gloves off NOW instead of the usual “genteel” campaigning preferred. Do that and it will be Congressman Kurt in Nov
Ogles 2022
OK Truthy, so long as you don’t mind waking up on the morning after election day and seeing that Andy and Beth together have received well over 50% of the vote but General Weathervane is the Republican nominee with well under 50% of the vote and our probable next U.S. Congressman.
Like it or not former Democrat No Record Candidate General Weathervane with his frequent emetic ads is well on his way to purchasing this open congressional seat. Voters who intend to vote in the Republican primary that I speak to are fully aware of the ole’ General and, of course, Beth Harwell (ACU-86%). Conservatives who REALLY don’t want to see a Congressman Weathervane (TN-5th) come January better be prepared to do some tactical voting for Harwell beginning July 15th.
Winstead is a Democrat knowing that his only possibility of winning is as a Republican. He is just following in the footsteps of many misleading Tennessee local, state and federal bureaucrats. Time to shut the door on these fakes and to clean house of those already in office.
Winstead voted and donated to Hillary Clinton, so this makes sense.