State Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville) challenged California Governor Gavin Newsom to a debate after the Democrat targeted Tennessee for its pro-life legislation to protect unborn children using funds from a Super PAC that some speculate could lay the foundations of a campaign to oust President Joe Biden.
In a Sunday post to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, the California governor falsely claimed Tennessee’s pro-life legislation offers no exceptions, including for rape or incest, and asserted that “Republicans in Tennessee are trying to punish young women” who travel to abort their children.
Newsom’s 30-second commercial from his Campaign for Democracy Super PAC that features a young woman handcuffed to a hospital bed, and suggested Republicans in Tennessee are seeking to restrict pregnant women from traveling to “receive care.”
“The Governor of [California] continues to deceive and gaslight,” wrote Zachary (pictured here) in a response published to X. He added that Tennessee “is standing strong on conservative principles” and is “running an important parental rights bill.”
Zachary’s bill, HB 1895, aims to criminalize “abortion trafficking,” which involves individuals who are not related to the minor child providing out-of-state travel for the purpose of aborting an unborn child, and Zachary noted that similar legislation was passed last year in Idaho.
The Governor of CA continues to deceive and gaslight.
TN is standing on strong conservative principles. We are running an important parental rights bill. The bill prohibits an adult who is not the parent/guardian of a minor from facilitating an abortion for that minor without… https://t.co/pVhxT26fmz— Rep. Jason Zachary (@JasonZacharyTN) February 25, 2024
“The bill doesn’t prohibit providing healthcare to any pregnant woman, period,” Zachary wrote on X. “There is a reason he didn’t list the bill number. Please read for yourself.”
The lawmaker added that Tennessee “proudly” has “the strongest pro-life law in the country,” and added that more than 10,000 “babies have been saved” since it became law.
“I will be glad to debate” at any time, Zachary added. He added for Newsom to “[j]ust let me know when you have a few minutes.”
After Newsom targeted Tennessee with his PAC, it was speculated by The Sacramento Bee that the Democratic governor may be planning a last-minute bid to replace President Joe Biden as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president.
Newsom’s Campaign for Democracy has received nearly $10 million since December 31, with the outlet reporting $8.4 million was transferred “from funds left over from Newsom’s 2022 gubernatorial campaign,” and currently holds about $6 million.
Newsom can coordinate with the PAC so long as he does not run for federal office. Should he declare his candidacy for president, he would need to cut contact with his Campaign for Democracy.
The California governor’s decision to target Tennessee comes roughly six months after Newsom was a no-show at a Tennessee Democratic Party fundraiser that was held in Nashville last year. Newsom did not attend despite Democrats repeatedly confirming his attendance.
Under Newsom’s leadership, California ended 2023 with a $68 billion budget deficit. The state’s shortfall nearly tripled from the previous year, when California boasted a $24 billion deficit. During both years, a severe underestimation of the state’s tax revenue was blamed.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Gov. Gavin Newsom” by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom is a numbskull child of Satan
Gavin Newsom can waste as much as his PAC’s money on Tennessee races as he wishes
It will be an utterly abortive endeavor
This is Tennessee and we have no desire to emulate his bankrupt state