Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Scott Golden did not respond to a Thursday press inquiry from The Tennessee Star, asking whether Golden plans to call for the resignation of Executive Committee member Oscar Brock, or whether the committee will call a meeting to discuss Brock’s future with the party.
Golden (pictured above) has yet to comment after Brock wrote in a post to social media that he would cease supporting Republican incumbents over the party’s conduct during the government shutdown, suggesting that Republicans should have worked with Democrats to reopen the government for the lapse in funding for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
“No negotiating and no compromising and no budget,” Brock wrote on October 28. “I’m not being partisan. I’m simply sick and tired of Congress being unable or unwilling to do the job we elected them to do.”
Brock wrote, “I’m not going to support ANY member of Congress who runs for reelection next year.”
The Star specifically asked Golden whether the party has plans to call for a special meeting to seek Brock’s resignation or termination, or whether any of the other members of the Executive Committee have requested such a meeting. The Star additionally asked whether the party could comment on Brock’s statements, but did not receive a response.
At least two members of the Tennessee General Assembly have already called for Brock to resign, with the first being State Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby), who is also the Caucus Chair of the House Republicans.
“At a time when Democrats are openly backing a socialist like [Zohran] Mamdani, the last thing we need is a Republican publicly declaring that they will refuse to support our GOP nominees and elected officials,” Faison told The Star. “President Reagan reminded us that someone who agrees with us 80 percent of the time is a friend and ally, not an enemy.”
“If Oscar Brock cannot stand with the team and support our candidates, he should step aside until he decides where he truly belongs,” said the caucus chair.
State Representative Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) issued a similar call last week.
“We should be supporting our folks even in the darkest and most difficult times. Instead of pulling all support, he should have offered encouragement to our congressional delegation,” Doggett told The Star. “My personal opinion is that he should not continue to serve in that capacity and should be replaced.”
The first to issue such a call was Michael Patrick Leahy, the Editor-in-Chief of The Star, who said Brock should retract his statement or resign.
Tennessee Conservative Coalition leader Aaron Gulbransen, who formerly reported for The Star, additionally questioned whether the statement represented a de facto resignation.
“Oscar Brock has just publicly announced he is not going to do his job as National Committeeman, at the least,” said Gulbransen. “If that wasn’t his official statement of resignation from his position as National Committeeman, he absolutely needs to resign.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “TNGOP Chair Scott Golden” by TNGOP.
Dear Mr. Golden,
As an active Tennessee Republican, formerly in Davidson County and now in Montgomery County, until Oscar Brock resigns and cannot be given another place of leadership in the Tennessee Republican Party, I see no reason to contribute my money, except maybe directly to my candidate Matt Van Eppes, whose signs I have in my front yard. I could not find a place on the TN GOP website to send this email. Thank you for listening.
“If Oscar Brock cannot stand with the team and support our candidates, he should step aside until he decides where he truly belongs,” said the caucus chair.
When you look at the number of “RINOs” re-elected each years it’s obvious not many people support the “Conservative Policies” of a “TRUE REPUBLICAN” either.
Tennessee has one of the largest “RINO GOVERNMENTS” in the nation.
From my position as a staunch conservative I view the Tennessee GOP operation as incompetent and determined to mimic the Democrats of the 1960’s. The government spending keeps growing by leaps and bounds as led by the rich who buy their way into state offices – especially the governorship. Therefore, I do not expect any real action to take place on this matter.
GOP Republican Committee Chairman, Rep. Doggett, et al,
Very simply, Committeeman Brock should resign. If he cannot be trusted to keep his pledge of support for Republican candidates, what can he be trusted with?
Chairman Golden, this kind of betrayal is why I do not reply to your emails requesting me to renew my party membership. It happened when grassroots Republicans were betrayed the last time that Ronna McDaniel was elected National Republican Party chair.