2018 elections Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Tennessee Star

Tennessee Jobs Now Launches Television Ad Targeting Diane Black’s Support for Driver’s Licenses for Illegal Aliens

May 30, 2018May 29, 2018 Admin

Anti Black Ad

Tennessee Jobs Now, a SuperPAC that supports Randy Boyd in the Tennessee Governor’s race, began airing a new television commercial last week that continues on the theme of its recent statewide radio buy. The radio spot aired by the group criticized Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-06) for voting to issue Tennessee driver’s licenses to illegals in 2001. The television ad does the same thing but also hits Black for her March 22, 2018 vote against the Omnibus Spending Bill (HR 1625) that funded a small portion of the border wall embraced by President Donald Trump. The bill passed both the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Trump, who vowed that he would never again sign such an “ridiculous bill” that consisted of more than 2,000 pages, failed to follow regular order and was jammed through by the Republican House and Senate leadership unto the membership with less than two days to read and review. Almost every conservative member of the House of Representatives voted against the Omnibus Spending Bill, including Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-07), Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04), and Rep. Jimmy Duncan (R-TN-02). President Trump was so unhappy with the bill’s failure to fully fund the border wall,…

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Billionaire Activist Tom Steyer: Democrats Who Don’t Back Impeachment Crusade Are On The Wrong Side Of History

May 30, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Chris White Billionaire Tom Steyer suggested Tuesday Democrats who are hesitant to jump aboard his impeachment campaign are at risk of normalizing what he believes is President Donald Trump’s bad behavior. Democrats who maintain a wide berth from campaigns to impeach Trump are alienating a large swath of liberal voters, Steyer told Politico on Tuesday. Rebuking the campaign also places vulnerable Democrats on the wrong side of history, Steyer said, responding to his crusade to oust the president. “If you look at the civil rights movement, the pushback was not, ‘You’re not telling the truth;’ the pushback was, ‘We’re dealing with it in time. Stand down so we can deal with it in tie [sic],” said Steyer, a former hedge fund manager who poured tens of millions of dollars into Democratic coffers over the past six years. Steyer, who often suggests without evidence Trump conspired with Russia to win the election, used various social media platforms in October 2017 to launch a “need to impeach” Trump movement. More than 5 million people have signed his petition so far, but House Democrats think the wealthy activist is wearing out his welcome. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, for instance, called an impeachment campaign impractical in…

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Commentary: Time For Democrats and The Media To Admit the Russia Investigation Was Illegitimate from the Start

May 30, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by George Rasley In the last week, as revelation upon revelation hit that Obama administration officials and career employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) spied on the Donald Trump campaign in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election, Margot Cleveland writing for The Federalist, observed that the mainstream media, the Left, and Never Trump Republicans have fallen back on three ready responses: A solid plurality of this contingent continue to avert their eyes from the facts and dismiss the claims of misconduct as peddled by tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorists. There is not much you can say to this faction, because they refuse to consider the proof. A second – and more extreme group – believes Trump conspired with the Russians to steal the election from Hillary Clinton. There is not much you can say to this bunch either, because they are tinfoil-hat conspiracy theorists. But the final group sees things differently. While they don’t necessarily believe Trump was treasonous, they argue that the FBI and other intelligence-gathering agencies rightly targeted the Trump campaign. With Russian-leaning Paul Manafort and Carter Page involved in the campaign, and Trump trolling Hillary with praise for Vladimir…

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Trump’s Populist Coalition Reshapes American Politics

May 29, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

President-elect Donald Trump

by Ginny Montalbano Salena Zito and Brad Todd recently co-authored the book The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics. They spoke to The Daily Signal’s Ginny Montalbano about who the Trump voters are, what motivated them during the 2016 election, and what they can tell us about the future. “The Great Revolt” by Salena Zito and Brad Todd does much to tell the story of our great Election victory. The Forgotten Men & Women are forgotten no longer! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 7, 2018 Ginny Montalbano: Your new book called “The Great Revolt: Inside the Populist Coalition Reshaping American Politics” just came out. Can we start with what inspired you to write this book and what it’s about? Brad Todd: I didn’t see Trump’s nomination coming in 2016 in the election. I was working for a different candidate. After watching it come about in spite of my expectations and then watching the general election develop, I really was interested to know if the long term question; was this something that was just starting, was this something that was in the middle, or was this something that was finishing with this reforming of the coalition…

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Beth Harwell Locks Down Teachers’ Union Endorsement for Governor

May 26, 2018May 26, 2018 Admin

Beth Harwell

The Tennessee Education Association Fund for Children and Public Education (TEA-FCPE), which is the PAC and political arm for the teachers’ union in Tennessee, has endorsed House Speaker Beth Harwell for the Republican nomination for Governor. The TEA’s PAC also endorsed House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh in the Democratic Party primary. Harwell welcomed the endorsement: “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Tennessee Education Association,” Harwell said. “Education is my top priority, and as Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, I have led some of our boldest reforms that resulted in Tennessee being one of the fastest improving states in education.” “As a former teacher, I understand and value the work our educators do day-in and day-out, and I am grateful for TEA’s support,” Harwell went on to say. “As governor, I will continue to have an open door and listening ear for teachers and parents, always keeping in mind the best interests of students who represent the future of Tennessee.” The endorsement of the liberal TEA will not play well for Harwell in a contested Republican Primary for Governor. A Tennessee Star Poll conducted a few months ago reveals that accepting TEA money and support may…

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DNC Chair Tom Perez Dragged Through Mud By His Own Party After Supporting Cuomo

May 26, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

Tom Perez

by Henry Rogers Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez has faced constant backlash from his own party after endorsing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the primary Thursday — breaking with his own beliefs that the DNC should not get involved in primary elections. Perez’s decision was a surprise to many Democrats, including his own deputy chairman, Keith Ellison, who disagreed with Perez’s endorsement of Cuomo in the primary election. Perez himself has continued to urge Democrats to not get involved in primaries and assumed the role of chairman after controversy surrounding the DNC’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election. But Perez went against his own messaging Thursday, and Democrats are not happy. “The Democratic Party should not intervene in the primary process,” a spokesperson for Ellison told NBC News. “It is our role to be fair to all contestants and let the voters decide.” Ellison’s statement, disagreeing with his superior, is by far the most shocking; but Democrats across the country are lashing out over the primary endorsement. “The entire reason we hold primaries is because voters should decide who’s on the ballot, and not party bosses,” Karthik Ganapathy, a spokesperson for MoveOn.org, told NBC News “It’s wrong for those in charge…

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Commentary: Delusional Democrats’ Blue Wave Found Only at the Beach This Weekend

May 26, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

Donald Trump rally

by Jeffery Rendall Heading into Memorial Day weekend perhaps it’s fitting to step back and reassess the political situation in American politics today. The weather is warm, the economy is good and gas prices are still low enough for Americans to feel confident hitting the road for the three-day holiday with the reassurance they can spend a few bucks and not blow a gaping hole in their family budgets. The Trump tax cuts are taking effect and many families will likely be sharing their windfall with retailers, recreational providers and the hospitality industry very soon. In other words, life is good. Not everything’s about what’s happening in Washington these days. President Donald Trump’s approval ratings remain mired in the low 40’s – but that’s not bad considering it’s higher than for most of the three years he’s been in politics. As of earlier this week the generic congressional ballot showed Democrats with a solid (though shrinking) lead of D+4 and political experts seemingly revise their forecasts for the fall elections every day (note: The Dems’ lead completely vanished in the Reuters poll.) Conservatives are heartened by the mostly rightward direction of the Trump administration and Republicans are optimistic they’ll at least survive this November.…

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Randy Boyd Announces 95 County Bus Tour to Launch on May 30 in Sevier County and Span Nine Weeks

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 Admin

Randy Boyd

Republican businessman Randy Boyd has announced that he is embarking on a nine week, 95 county bus tour across Tennessee as his campaign for Governor moves towards the August 2 primary election date. The tour will kick off from the Sevier County Courthouse in East Tennessee on May 30 at 9:30 am Eastern Time. From there, Boyd is set to travel to Blount County for a Meet and Greet Lunch starting at 11:30 am followed by an appearance in Loudon County at 2:00 pm at The Venue at Lenoir City. Then in Monroe County at the Tellico Plains Community Center, he will finish the day’s events with a Meet and Greet D inner. “Just as we have during the campaign, we want to send a clear signal, that as Governor, we will be working for all 95 counties to make sure no one is left behind,” Boyd said. “This 95 County Bus Tour is just one more way to show Tennessee voters that we will never stop working on your behalf to make Tennessee the State of Opportunity for everyone.” Last Fall Boyd, who has run a few marathons, made his longest run as he ran across the state to promote his campaign…

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American Center for Law and Justice’s Jordan Sekulow Endorses Diane Black for Governor

May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 Admin

Gubernatorial candidate Representative Diane Black (R-TN-06) announced Thursday she has picked up another endorsement – this time, from prominent radio host and Executive Director of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) Jordan Sekulow. “I’m thrilled to endorse Diane Black for Governor,” Sekulow said. “Diane has always been a champion for the rights of the unborn and for religious freedom, and I know that she will put her conservative principles and tenacious attitude to good use as the next Governor of our state.” Jordan and his family are residents of Williamson County, where the organization has a large production facility. “I’m proud to have Jordan on my team,” Black responded. “He and his family have been tireless advocates for conservative values, including the rights of the unborn and protecting our religious liberties. These are values that I will always fight for as Tennessee’s next Governor.” Founded in 1990 with the mandate to protect religious and constitutional freedoms by Pat Robertson and Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) engages legal, legislative, and cultural issues by implementing an effective strategy of advocacy, education, and litigation that includes representing clients before the Supreme Court of the United States and international…

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More Than 100 Conservatives Call For Jordan To Run For Speaker

May 22, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

Jim Jordan, Paul Ryan

by Robert Donachie A coalition of more than 100 conservatives sent a letter to House Freedom Caucus (HFC) co-founder Jim Jordan Monday urging him to throw his name in to replace outgoing Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. “There must be a real race for Speaker of the House. Now. No backroom deals. A real race, starting this spring, to make every incumbent and candidate commit on the record, as a campaign issue, whether they’ll vote to save the Swamp or drain it,” the letter reads. “America needs you to declare yourself as a candidate for Speaker at once. We write to you on behalf of millions of Americans who want Congress to Drain the Swamp.” Ryan rattled Capitol Hill in April when he announced he will retire from the House after nearly 20 years in Congress, telling reporters he wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue other opportunities. Two of the top House Republicans — House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana — are angling for the position, but neither thought to have a guaranteed lock on the speakership. McCarthy failed to garner the 218 required votes to…

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Newt Gingrich Says The ‘Trump Effect’ Has Pushed Conservative Movement To A Whole New Level

May 18, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Nick Givas Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said President Donald Trump’s policies have had a profound effect on the conservative movement and expects his influence to continue to grow. “I think the Trump effect has been remarkable,” Gingrich said Thursday on Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.” “The combination of conservative judges, deregulation, tax cuts, innovation, the right policies favoring work over welfare — all of that’s come together,” Gingrich continued. “Plus having an entrepreneur in the White House has sent a sort of an emotional signal to small business leaders, entrepreneurs, creative people in the economy. We’ve had the highest positives we’ve had in many, many years.” Gingrich also said there is a possibility of 4.1-percent growth for the U.S. economy for the second quarter, and it could lead to the lowest black unemployment numbers in history. “There’s one report that the second quarter maybe actually be 4.1 percent growth,” he said. “If that happens, I think you’re going to see the country look up — lowest black unemployment in history.” Editors Note: Watch Gingrich full appearance on Varney and Co. : – – – Nick Givas is a reporter at Daily Caller news Foundation. You can Follow Nick on Twitter and Facebook. …

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Commentary: Even Though the GOPe Edged Conservatives in Last Tuesday’s Primaries, There’s Plenty to Celebrate Going into the Fall Elections

May 15, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Jeffery Rendall Establishment Republicans in the Washington swamp must have waited with bated breath on Tuesday night as they viewed the primary election results ticking slowly across the bottom of their TV news screens. Of particular concern for charter members of the capital bog was the GOP contest in West Virginia, where avowed anti-Mitch McConnell (and seemingly outwardly bigoted) oddball Don Blakenship was running surprisingly strongly in recent polls, suggesting another headache could be in the works for a DC ruling class that had just gotten over the aftermath of having to root against a fellow Republican in last year’s Alabama special election. This time the establishment came out on top – or at least they didn’t lose big – and conservatives should be glad. Blankenship ended up falling to the conservatives’ favorite in West Virginia, perhaps paving the way for a Republican senate seat pick-up (Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin is vulnerable) in November. There was good news for conservatives elsewhere as well. W. James Antle III of the Washington Examiner reported on Wednesday, “If Tuesday night’s Republican primary winners were not like [Alabama’s Judge Roy] Moore, they were not exactly rejecting Trump either. Rep. Jim Renacci, who won the GOP primary to…

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Steve Gill Analysis: From a ‘Blue Wave’ to a ‘Ripple,’ Pelosi’s Vow to Raise Taxes If Dems Win House Lands With a Thud

May 10, 2018May 13, 2018 Admin

Gill and Pelosi

Conservative political commentator and Tennessee Star contributor Steve Gill said Wednesday on The Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville, that despite the mainstream media narrative to the contrary, the so-called ‘blue wave’ we keep hearing about “is looking increasingly like it may be a ripple.” In his ‘Final Thoughts’ segment of Wednesday’s broadcast, Gill said, “Rick Scott in Florida is now holding a slight lead in the Senate race in Florida according to a new poll released just today. Governor Rick Scott is leading 44 percent to to against Bill Nelson’s 40 percent, according to a Florida Atlantic University survey.” He continued: A four-point lead… you know that “blue wave” you keep hearing so much about from the Democrats is looking increasingly like it may be a ripple. And part of it is because of what the Democrats are saying on the campaign trail. Nancy Pelosi was interviewed today at Politico Playbook in an interview that the Republicans ought to make sure is a campaign ad for every Republican House candidate in the country by, well, the end of the day. Jake Tremmel was doing the interview. They asked Pelosi about GOP claims that a Democrat House majority would pass a single-payer…

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Commentary: If Chaos Equals Success for the Trump Administration, Bring On More of It

May 10, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

President Trump w White House Press

by Jeffery Rendall Lost in the fog of last week’s collective establishment media freak-out over Rudy Giuliani’s explosive interviews, the shockingly abusive “pen register” (predicate to a wiretap) of Trump attorney Michael Cohen and the ongoing non-issue of alleged payments to silence porn mistress Stormy Daniels were the results of a new poll suggesting that Americans…think the Trump administration is in turmoil. Steven Shepard of Politico reported, “A strong majority of voters say President Donald Trump’s administration is running chaotically after Trump’s pick for veterans affairs secretary, White House physician Ronny Jackson, withdrew his name from consideration last week, according to a new POLITICO/Morning Consult poll. “More than 3 in 5 voters, 62 percent, say Trump’s administration is running very or somewhat chaotically — nearly twice as many as the 32 percent who say it’s running very or somewhat well. “A majority of Republicans, 68 percent, say the Trump administration is running well. But that sentiment is shared by few Democrats (9 percent) and independents (25 percent).” This gem of a poll contains some other juicy nuggets but let’s concentrate on the “chaos” aspect here. Looking at this data with a critical eye, how or why would 62 percent of…

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Commentary: The GOP’s Secret Weapon in November Just Could Be the Deranged Democrats

May 6, 2018May 6, 2018 Admin

by Jeffery Rendall It’s no big secret in media circles how many conservatives and Republicans are upset (to put it mildly) with the party’s congressional leadership. With a healthy House majority and a slim but viable senate preponderance going into the first term of President Donald Trump last year, it’s safe to say most right-leaning folks expected the GOP to churn out bills like consumer goods on a Chinese assembly line. It hasn’t happened this way. To date Trump is seen as an effective if atypical chief executive having slashed regulations by the boatload, appointed an impressive number of conservative jurists to the nation’s federal courts and fast-tracked foreign policy achievements that have many, including foreign leaders, suggesting the New York celebrity/real estate developer turned first-time politician is deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize. Needless to say, when comparisons are made between Trump’s seemingly boundless energy and enthusiasm for Making America Great Again to the lethargic and moribund GOP congressional leadership, most suggest the party could do (much) better on Capitol Hill. But what about the “loyal opposition” (the Democrats)? Is everyone on the left side of the aisle happy with their leaders? Recent signs indicate apparently not. Clinton pollster Douglas…

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Conservative Pundit Warns Republicans: ‘Drain the Swamp’ Is Not Just a Slogan, It’s a Mandate

April 28, 2018April 27, 2018 Admin

Drain the Swamp, Donald Trump

Conservative political commentator and Tennessee Star contributor Steve Gill said on The Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville Friday that every politician currently serving in office is being evaluated by voters right now as to how effectively they have lived up to concerns about the overreach and bloat at all levels of government. The remedy for this is commonly referred to ‘Draining the Swamp.’ Gill began by citing a new poll, conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, who sought to learn who voters blame when they start thinking about the so-called “D. C. Swamp.” “Is it the Democrats? Or is it the Republicans?” Gill asked rhetorically. He continued: Well, it might not surprise you that nearly half of Americans believe that the Republicans leadership are the ones responsible for the swamp-like culture in Washington, D.C. Now, actually, they blame both parties – but Republican leadership is getting the same amount of blame as the Democrats, according to a new poll by McLaughlin and Associates. A poll of a thousand likely voters, trying to understand how concerned American voters are about the D.C. swamp and who they attribute it to, show why it remains undrained. Now, they went in to find out who blames…

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Commentary: Leading Conservative Organizations Unite Behind Jim Jordan For Speaker

April 25, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

Jim Jordan

by CHQ staff The count of conservative organizations urging principled limited government constitutional conservative Representative Jim Jordan (OH-4) to run for Speaker of the House has now passed ten, with FedUp PAC, headed by CHQ Chairman Richard A. Viguerie, coming out in favor of Jordan to replace RINO Speaker Paul Ryan. Our friends at FreedomWorks posted a statement from president and CEO Adam Brandon saying: Jim Jordan is the only name that received unanimous consent from the FreedomWorks Activist Advisory Council. The level of grassroots energy surrounding a Jordan speakership campaign is something we haven’t seen in years. It indicates to us that selecting a truly conservative speaker would change the entire momentum of the 2018 midterm election cycle. Our activists believe this speakership campaign is the battle that will determine the future of the Republican Party. If Republicans in Congress really want to see the swamp drain, Rep. Jordan is the guy that’s going to work with President Trump to get it done. A House with Speaker Jordan at the gavel would actually pass laws, stand on principle, and cut spending. Speaker Jordan would make Congress work again. Mac Stoddard, FreedomWorks Digital Director says, “In less than 24 hours,…

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Conservatives Want a House Speaker Who Will Deliver on Promised Reforms

April 24, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Rachel del Guidice Conservative lawmakers say they want the next speaker of the House to be committed to issues Republicans ran on, and to making important procedural reforms. “More important than who the speaker is next year is what Republicans do this year,” Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told The Daily Signal. “And if we don’t get focused on and stay focused on what the American people elected us to do,” Jordan said, “then there’s not going to be a race for a Republican speaker. It will be a race for who is the minority leader. So that is what we have to be focused on.” Jordan and two other House conservatives spoke recently with The Daily Signal about what they want to see in House Speaker Paul Ryan’s successor. The lawmakers and two GOP aides emphasized following through on issues Republicans campaigned on in 2016 and earlier, including repealing Obamacare, fixing the immigration system and building a border wall, and reforming welfare programs. [ The liberal Left continue to push their radical agenda against American values. The good news is there is a solution. Find out more ] As for changes in process, one senior aide said, conservatives want more clarity…

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Tennessee’s Radio and Radiology Mogul Dr. George Flinn Lends His Campaign to Unseat Rep. David Kustoff $1.4 Million

April 20, 2018April 19, 2018 Admin

Flinn and Kustoff

Dr. George Flinn – after falling short in his bid to replace Representative David Kustoff (R-TN-08) by only 3,000 in the historic 2016 election cycle – has personally lent his 2018 campaign “rematch” with Kustoff $1.4 million, Federal Election Commission filings show. For the first quarter’s reporting period, Flinn reports $863,350 was paid to Caissa Public Strategies of Memphis for “campaign management expenses, leaving a cash-on-hand balance of roughly $530,000. A separate area of the report shows the campaign made a loan payment to Flinn in the amount of $11,000. Apart from the $1,400,000, records show a total of $500 in donations were reported. Meanwhile, incumbent Representative David Kustoff reported receipts of $236,800 across 450 contributions, which range from $500 to $2700 each. A total of $100,000 were from PACs. The sum total of all contributions through the first quarter total $1.12 million – slightly less than Flinn’s loan to his own campaign. Kustoff’s his cash-on-hand shows $955,116 after $21,138 in spending for the quarter. To date, the campaign has reportedly spent $262,866 in this election cycle. Before politics, Dr. George Flinn had a successful career in medicine, where he eventually built a chain of radiology clinics in Tennessee. He took some of that fortune and used it to start Flinn Broadcasting, which acquired a…

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Nashville Mayoral Candidate Carol Swain Appears on Fox and Friends Weekend

April 7, 2018April 7, 2018 Admin

Carol Swain on Fox & Friends Weekend

UPDATE: You can watch Carol Swain’s appearance this morning on Fox and Friends Weekend here: Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Saturday 12:30 am Newly-minted Mayoral hopeful Carol Swain will appear on Fox and Friends Weekend Saturday morning at 6:50 a.m. Central Time. I will be on Fox and Friends tomorrow morning at 7:50 am, ET and 6:50 am, CT. I will be discussing my mayoral bid. @TennesseeStar #Nashville @VanderbiltU @Belmont @LipscombU @MTSU @FiskU @TSU @MeHarrymedicalcollege… https://t.co/YRjQ0WZV0z — Dr. Carol M. Swain (@carolmswain) April 6, 2018 Swain will be on to discuss her bid to become Nashville’s 9th Mayor, replacing Megan Barry, who resigned in disgrace after being discovered to have used taxpayers funds – as well as the resources of the Mayor’s Office – to carry on a years-long affair with the chief of her security detail. The resignation triggered a special election, which the Metro Nashville election commission deemed to be August 2. However, that date is in dispute after another Mayoral candidate, Ludye Wallace, sued saying that a plain-reading of the law requires the date be May 1. Eleven candidates have qualified to run for the open seat, including Barry’s former vice mayor, fellow progressive, and $9 billion mass…

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Senator Lamar Alexander Endorses Marsha Blackburn for U.S. Senate as Outgoing Corker Remains on the Sidelines

April 6, 2018 Admin

Sen. Lamar Alexander endorses Marsh Blackburn

Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has endorsed Congresswoman and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-07). In a statement issued by Alexander, and posted in social media, Alexander said: “I have supported Marsha Blackburn as a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, and I support her again as a candidate for the United States Senate. She has served Tennesseans well. I look forward to working with her to make the Senate a more effective institution.” In response to the endorsement, Blackburn said: “Lamar is a true public servant, and I am continually grateful for his support. I look forward to working with him in the U.S. Senate to pass the President’s agenda. Together, we will effectively serve Tennesseans and fight for our shared Tennessee values.” Meanwhile Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), who is vacating the seat that Blackburn is seeking, remains unwilling to follow Alexander’s lead. In late February, after Corker again decided not to seek reelection, he refused to answer a reporter’s question regarding an endorsement for Blackburn. Soon after, a Corker spokesman said: “The senator does not typically get involved in primaries but has always planned to support the nominee.” Yesterday, speaking to reporters, Corker reiterated his…

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Long Time Conservative Activist Judson Phillips Endorses Diane Black for Governor

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 Admin

Judson Phillips and Diane Black

Tea Party Nation founder and long time conservative activist Judson Phillips endorsed Diane Black for Governor Wednesday, in a statement posted on his personal website. “In four months, Tennesseans will go to the polls and select the Republican nominee to be governor of this state,” Phillip’s statement begins, adding: The Primary will decide the governor’s race. It doesn’t matter who the Democrats nominate, because they are not going to win. It does matter who the Republicans nominate. There is only one choice on the Republican side. There is only one conservative option. That is Diane Black. The GOP field consists of Congressman Black, liberal Randy “La Raza” Boyd, Bill Lee and Beth “tax hike” Harwell. None of them are conservative. Randy Boyd is the choice of the Haslam wing of the party. The eight years of Bill Haslam have been nothing short of a disaster. Haslam has governed to the left of the Democrats. Bill Lee does nothing but talk about how his wife died and he had to raise his children without her. That is noble but that does not make him a conservative. When asked a few months ago about the Haslam tax hike, Lee called it, “water…

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Conservatives Spot New Tactic to Pass Bills Without Senate Filibuster

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 Admin

Some of the conservative movement’s biggest names urged President Trump Thursday to use NAFTA negotiations as a way to get around a Democratic filibuster and push through major cuts to government regulations. In a letter to the president, the conservatives urged him to tuck the REINS Act, which would give Congress a veto over any new major Executive Branch regulations, inside a newly negotiated North American Free Trade Agreement. Including it in NAFTA would allow Congress to pass the REINS Act on a majority vote, thanks to the fast-track trade negotiating powers Congress gave to the executive branch in 2015.

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Tim Pawlenty Announces His 2018 Run for Minnesota Governor

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 Admin

MINNEAPOLIS—Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he is running for governor Thursday, attempting a restoration after eight years out of office that saw his DFL successor move the state in a more progressive direction at odds with Pawlenty’s tenure. Pawlenty, a longtime Eagan resident, served two four-year terms beginning in 2003. The South St. Paul native…

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Rutherford County Mayoral Candidate Tina Jones Blasts $9 Billion Transit Plan, Calling It ‘A Wasteful Boondoggle of Epic Proportions’

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 Admin

Tina Jones on the Transit Plan

Republican business owner and Rutherford County Mayoral hopeful Tina Jones made news Thursday with her strong statement against neighboring Davidson County’s $9 billion transit plan, “Let’s Go Nashville.” “The transit scheme initiated by Mayor Megan Barry, before she was forced from office, is a wasteful boondoggle of epic proportions and I urge Rutherford County voters to call their family and friends in Nashville to encourage them to vote “NO” on that huge and unnecessary tax increase that will make the sales tax in Davidson County among the highest in the country,” Jones said in a statement. “Advocates of that tax increase have noted that about HALF of the tax will be paid by residents of surrounding counties, which means Rutherford county citizens will be paying a big portion of a tax increase we don’t even get to vote on!” Turning her attention to fellow Republican State Senator Bill Kentron – who is also running Rutherford County Mayor, Jones said: When Senator Bill Ketron voted for the gasoline tax increase as part of the IMPROVE Act, he voted to allow local tax increases like the one being considered by voters in Nashville. His support for that transit tax in Nashville, and his…

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IT’S OFFICIAL: Carol Swain Launches Campaign for Mayor of Nashville

April 2, 2018April 2, 2018 Admin

Carol Swain runs for Nashville Mayor'

Former Vanderbilt University professor Carol Swain announced late Monday afternoon she is a candidate for Mayor of Nashville in the upcoming special election to name a new mayor to serve the balance of former Mayor Megan Barry’s term, which ends in August 2019. In a statement, Swain said she “secured the necessary petition to become a candidate this morning, obtained more than the 25 signatures required to become an official candidate, and filed the petition this afternoon, which will qualify her to appear on the special election ballot.” That date is currently set for August 2, but the Tennessee Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a legal challenge next Monday that could set the election date earlier, either on May 1 or May 26. “The reason I’m running is that Nashville needs a choice between two different visions for the city. I believe the city is headed in the wrong direction, like many large cities headed by Democratic mayors,” Swain said in the statement, adding: “Nashville is currently following the ‘tax-and-spend’ prescription that has resulted in so many of our cities becoming wastelands of poverty, crime, failing schools, and high taxes,” Swain noted in announcing her plans to run…

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Steve Gill Analysis: That 2018 ‘Blue Wave’ May Be a Little Tougher To Accomplish Than the Left Thinks

March 27, 2018May 13, 2018 Admin

Conservative political commentator and Tennessee Star contributor Steve Gill said on The Gill Report, broadcast live on WETR 92.3 FM in Knoxville on Monday, that the oft-mentioned and fervently hoped-for “Blue Wave” of Democrat victories this fall may be a little tougher to come by than the left may think. “Are the 2018 midterm elections shaping up to be the ‘Blue Wave’ that the mainstream media would believe is coming where Democrats trounce Republicans across the country, and retake the House and the Senate and then impeach Donald Trump…? Well, maybe in their hope and dreams,” Gill posited. He continued: That’s certainly the way the mainstream media was painting the Republican primary and Democrat primary in Texas a few weeks ago. They were proclaiming that energized Democrats were poised to “make history” and “turn Texas blue.” But then Election Day happened and Republicans were the ones who actually set a Texas primary turnout record. In the Pennsyvania special election where Demecrat Lamb defeated Republicn Saccone by a mere .2 of a percent? Well that’s in a district where Democrats actually have a 50 thousand vote registration margin. And for the Democrat to win, he had to run against Nancy Pelosi, sidle up to Donald Trump,…

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Former Williamson County GOP Chair and First-Time Candidate Julie Hannah Hits the Bricks in Her Campaign for Register of Deeds

March 16, 2018March 16, 2018 Admin

Conservative firebrand Julie Hannah is taking her years of experience as a Williamson County Republican Party member and Chairwoman and using it in her unique campaign to be the county’s next Register of Deeds. “People think campaigns are all about big rallies, television ads, and media interviews but at the local level it is door knocking and personal connections that make the difference in winning or losing. That’s why my focus is on going door to door throughout Williamson County,” Hannah said in a statement, adding: “I want to bring my experience in the private business arena to provide consistent professionalism to the office. For me, being Register of Deeds is not about having a position, it is all about serving people and doing the job so well that it never really draws much attention. The Williamson County Register of Deeds is a fairly obscure office that not many people are familiar with. “You’re running for what? is almost always the first question I get,” she quipped. “Having the chance to meet people at their front doors and ask for their votes has been amazing out. I’ve never been more more optimistic about our future with having had the chance to meet families…

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Pro-Sanctuary Rauner Rediscovers His Base a Week Before GOP Gubernatorial Primary in Illinois

March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 Admin

Embattled Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) finally found something to share with the party’s fed-up base on a hot-button issue one week before his gubernatorial primary election when he vetoed a bill requiring gun dealers to be licensed Tuesday.

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Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Lee Launches New Website Dedicated to Reinstating Faith in the Public Square

March 14, 2018March 14, 2018 Admin

Bill Lee Faith in the Public Square

Franklin-based businessman Bill Lee launched a new website Tuesday that discusses the gubernatorial hopeful’s views on Faith in the public square, along with a list of events with faith-based community organizations, and a video introducing the effort called, “Faith in Tennessee.” (embedded below) “Too often, our leaders in government work to create government-first solutions to address some of the challenges we face,” Lee said in a statement. “This comes at the expense of many fantastic organizations that are already doing the work and are looking for willing partners, not a government-sponsored competitor.” The website’s singular purpose is to lay out Lee’s thoughts on how to better engage leaders in the faith and nonprofit groups and also lists more than a dozen events scheduled across the state with nonprofits and faith-based organizations. The tour, which the campaign says will continue through the end of March, highlights groups Lee sees as some of Tennessee’s most effective organizations. “People of faith have been called to serve,” Lee said. “Faith and community leaders are consistently at the forefront because they are often the ones on the front lines battling addiction and improving education. As I continue to travel across this state, I know that engaging them even more will lead to better results. Also,…

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Ronna McDaniel, RNC Chair: GOP Looking to ‘Defy’ Historical Trends in Midterm Elections

March 8, 2018March 8, 2018 Admin

The head of the Republican National Committee is confident that the national party could “defy history” in the midterm elections, saying the GOP has a record of accomplishment to run on and Democrats are flailing around looking for a message. RNC Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel said Wednesday that voters recognize that President Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress have pursued policies that have strengthen the economy and allowed them to keep more of their hard-earned money.

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Congressional Hopeful Bob Corlew Affirms His Commitment to Trump Agenda in Second Television Ad

March 6, 2018June 7, 2018 Admin

Former judge and current Congressional candidate Bob Corlew once again affirmed his commitment to support the ambitious Trump Agenda as he announced his second television commercial, set to debut Tuesday. The 30-second spot, he told supporters in a sneak-peek email, is titled “Opportunity” and it is based on what he has heard from constituents as he crisscrossed the district over the past month since announcing he candidacy: It has been one month since we announced our campaign and in that time, I have traveled from Pleasant View, to Hendersonville, to Manchester, to Cookeville, and everywhere in between I have had the awesome honor to be in the company of fellow Tennesseans who make Tennessee the best place to live, and to listen to their concerns, their dreams and what they want from their next Congressman. That’s why today, I released “Opportunity” to share what I have heard from Tennesseans during my travels. There is no question that folks here in Tennessee believe that President Trump is leading us in the right direction, but they want their representatives in Washington who care about our country and will support President Trump’s agenda. That’s why I want to go to Congress to stand with President Trump to build…

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House Ethics Committee Confirms Investigation of Rep. Jimmy Duncan

February 26, 2018February 26, 2018 Admin

In a rare move Tuesday, the House Ethics Committee confirmed it was investigating Republican John “Jimmy” Duncan, Jr. for possible violations related to alleged improper funneling of campaign funds to a family member. In 2013, Duncan III – then a county trustee – plead guilty to a felony charge of official misconduct when he was caught paying himself and six staffers bonuses for completing a training program they did not, in fact, take. The plea came after he lied to investigators, claiming he did not know it was improper to award the money before the training was completed. He ended up serving a year of probation. Subsequently, a series of payments Representative Duncan paid to his troubled son totalling approximately $300,000 came to light, apparently, for services rendered during over the course of the elder Duncan’s successful re-election bids. This, presumably, is the subject of the House Ethics investigation. In their statement, the Ethics Committee said it received a referral January 4 regarding Representative Duncan from the Office of Congressional Ethics, an outside agency charged with reviewing ethics allegations against House members. The committee is required to publicly disclose the subject of a review within 45 days of receiving a referral from the office.…

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Three Months After Announcing His U.S. Senate Candidacy, Phil Bredesen Holds First Campaign ‘Stop’ in Chattanooga

February 23, 2018February 23, 2018 Admin

Former Nashville Mayor, Tennessee Governor and now current candidate for U.S. Senate, Democrat Phil Bredesen appeared in Chattanooga Tuesday for his first campaign event since announcing his run December 6, 2017. After a tour of the TVA hydroelectric facility in nearby Raccoon Mountain, Bredesen met with members of the media, where he addressed issues on a wide range of topics. In a twelve minute video (embedded below) of an exchange between Bredesen and media obtained by Nooga.com, the former governor spoke on a variety of issues, albeit in a noticeably subdued voice. On gun control and reaction to the horrific Parkland school murders, Bredesen’s response to a News9 reporter’s question about the event seemed to focus narrowly on restrictions on firearm ownership by people who have been diagnosed with a mental or emotional disorder. “I do think it is time to – for everyone including, very strong supporters of the Second Amendment – to get reasonable about this,” Bredesen said, adding: This tragedy in Florida – the latest one – I’m one of those that agree that it’s beyond thoughts and prayers now. We need to do some specific things. I personally feel that there’s a lot of tightening up that could be done…

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Congressional Candidate Dr. Mark Green Forms ‘Rural Task Force’

February 15, 2018February 15, 2018 Admin

State Senator and congressional hopeful Dr. Mark Green (R-Clarksville) announced Wednesday he is forming a rural task force for his congressional campaign to identify issues and suggest solutions for the unique challenges of living in rural Tennessee. Former DCS Commissioner Dr. Page Walley will lead the effort, and joining him will be elected officials, business leaders, and community leaders in the rural counties across the 7th congressional district. “As Tennessee continues to grow, our rural communities are facing serious challenges. Having grown up on a dirt road in a small rural town, I have seen those challenges firsthand and look forward to working with this task force to find solutions,” Dr. Green said in a statement. “It’s a privilege to have been asked to chair this task force addressing the special needs that our rural counties and communities are facing in the 7th District,” Dr. Walley added. “When Mark spoke with me about my original interest in considering a run for Congress, I shared that we cannot pass by the needs and hopes of our rural families and farmers. I am proud that he not only has this same, deep conviction but intends to make sure we lift up the voices and values…

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Randy Boyd Supporter and Industrial Real Estate Mogul Joe Hollingsworth Aids Anti-Diane Black Ad Campaign

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018 Admin

Tennessee Jobs Now, the Super-PAC who made news by airing an anti-Diane Black radio ad featuring a repeatedly flushing toilet, received a $200,000 check in December from Randy Boyd donor Joe Hollingsworth, Jr., the Associated Press reports. After Diane Black complained that the radio ad was inaccurate, some radio stations pulled the spot. However, the A.P. reports “Tennessee Jobs Now then tweaked it and returned it to air,” adding that the Boyd campaign – through spokesperson Laine Arnold – asserts “the campaign had nothing to do with the ad.” Hollingsworth, the successful, second-generation businessman behind the Clinton, Tennessee-based Hollingsworth Companies Industrial Building Program – a commercial and industrial construction company and real estate firm – previously contributed $8,000 to Boyd in May. This is not the first time Hollingsworth has sought to influence the outcome of an election. In 2016, the A.P. notes he “spent heavily” to help his son Trey Hollingsworth run for and win the race to represent the people of Indiana’s 9th congressional district in the U. S. Congress in 2016. The 34-year-old Republican replaced Todd Young, who in turn ran for and won the open U.S. Senate seat after incumbent Senator Dan Coats announced he would not run for re-election in 2016. Coats…

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Steve Osborn Commentary: It’s Time for Tennessee’s Grassroots to Back Diane Black for Governor

February 12, 2018February 25, 2018 Admin

by Steve Osborn The folks in the grassroots conservative movement have been working hard these last few years trying to be the Vanguards of Liberty, and trying to undo the damage inflicted on our nation by liberals. We may disagree from time to time on issues, tactics, or candidates, but we remain steadfast and united in our common goals: defending the Constitution, restoring our constitutional Republic, and preserving our long-held American values. However, some of us have been choosing to support one candidate over another because of what is said on the campaign trail or what we’ve heard from someone else without doing any research from reputable sources on our own. In many ways, we’ve acted like we’re electing a high-school class president based on a popularity contest without truly knowing who best shares our values, or who would best represent us in the state. We have to grow beyond that. Just doing basic research of the candidates would either support what is said on the trail, or prove that a candidate is simply pandering for votes. Consequently, we’ve been electing Republicans in Tennessee who’ve run as conservatives only for them to show that they’re actually liberals once they’re in…

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Indiana Democrat Vulnerable on Illegal Immigration Now In GOP Sights

February 11, 2018February 11, 2018 Admin

Republicans and President Donald Trump were always going to use illegal immigration against opposition candidates in this year’s midterm election, but vulnerable Democrats likely did not think they would be hurt by the issue. Trump is on the defensive, after all — on a variety of issues.

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Congressional Hopeful Bob Corlew Launches First Television Ad

February 9, 2018February 9, 2018 Admin

Former judge-turned-Sixth Congressional District Republican candidate Bob Corlew has launched his first television advertisement. The 30-second spot is divided in roughly in half with the first part telling viewers who Corlew is. The advertisement begins with a misty shot of Bob Corlew walking hand-in-hand with his wife, Dianne. The voiceover is by a woman who says, “Bob Corlew, a Christian conservative who believes Tennessee’s values are worth fighting for.” The video cuts to images of Corlew and his family throughout his life, and in his own voice he states, “I’m an Army veteran, former judge, father, and grandfather.” Switching to Corlew himself, viewers see his say, “I’ve dedicated my life in service to others.” Pivoting to his policy agenda, Corlew says, “I’ll stand with President Trump to finish The Wall; no amnesty; restore the rule of law; end chain migration; defund all sanctuary cities; and put more officers and resources on the border.” In the final seconds, he delivers his closing, incorporating the required campaign finance disclosure, “I’m Bob Corlew, the conservative Republican and I approve this message.” Watch the new ad: Voters first learned of Bob Corlew in 1984, when he was elected General Sessions Judge at the age of thirty-one.…

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Commentary: Democrats’ Obsession with 2018 Midterms Won’t Subside Until They Lose

January 6, 2018January 6, 2018 Admin

by Jeffrey A. Rendall It should come as no surprise to regular followers of American politics that the media is already concentrating intently on this year’s midterm elections – after all, pundits have been fixated on the subject literally since the day Donald Trump vanquished Crooked Hillary Clinton in 2016. With Republicans now controlling all of the elected branches of government the next round of political races offers these desperate souls their only prayer for liberation from their long-dreaded banishment to the electoral wilderness. Trump’s administration has proven to be the most conservative since Reagan (thus far), so the prospect of deliverance is the only thing liberals care about. Sadly, it’s leading them to delusion. Here it is the end of just the first workweek in January and predictions from Democrats abound as to how badly Republicans will suffer for their Trump-supporting sins on November 6th. It’s not hard to find such forecasts, either. For the politically obsessed it’s a 24/7/365 news cycle no matter what else is happening in the world. Oddly enough some suggest this year could be Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s last rodeo as Democrat leader of the people’s house if the party fails to realize the projected…

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Commentary: How Conservatives Can Make 2018 Better Than 2017

January 1, 2018January 1, 2018 Admin

by CHQ Staff While the end of the year is the traditional time for wrapping up and counting wins and losses, we’ve decided to ignore that convention and look ahead. This is not because there haven’t been many wins to count – while not perfect, President Trump has done well by conservatives and such losses and defeats as we have booked have been at the hands of our old political enemies – Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan and the corrupt liars of the Republican establishment. So how do we conservatives make 2018 better than 2017? We can start by correctly defining our problem; it is that the Republican establishment is not some misinformed group of conservatives who we need to educate about the true conservative position – we need to recognize that they are on the other side and treat them as opponents, not misinformed allies. As CHQ Chairman Richard A. Viguerie kept repeating in his book TAKEOVER – It’s the primaries, stupid. For more than a hundred years, we conservatives have had our political guns trained on the wrong target. We’ve been focused on defeating the liberal, Big Government Democrats, when the first, and most important, roadblock to our…

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Six GOP Senators Who Could Follow Corker into Retirement

September 30, 2017September 29, 2017 Tennessee Star Staff

The surprise retirement of Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) may signal a rush to the exit door for other longtime establishment Republicans in the Senate. Several GOP members of the upper chamber — most of them advanced in age — have struggled to acclimate to the style and agenda of President Donald Trump. And some have drifted…

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Andy Ogles Campaign Hires Trump Media Advisor for Primary Challenge to Bob Corker

September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 Tennessee Star Staff

On Monday, the Andy Ogles for U.S. Senate campaign announced that it has hired Innovative Politics, which “played a key role” in the Donald J. Trump for President campaign advertising team following the Republican National Convention in the 2016 general election campaign. The firm is “a nationally renowned political consulting and full-service advertising agency,” according to a statement released by the campaign, and has been hired “to run [the campaign’s] media strategy and voter contact operations.” Innovative Politics produced nearly 30 television ads for the campaign, which spent more than $75 million dollars on television advertising. Jay Connaughton, chief media advisor with Innovative Politics, played a key role in Trump’s heavily covered Baton Rouge, Louisiana, trip following the devastating floods in the state, as well as in the President-elect’s headline making visit to Flint, MI. The Presidential race was only one of the many significant achievements for Innovative Politics during the past few national election cycles. The firm’s impressive national work, particularly in battleground states, helped the Republican Party maintain control of the U.S. Senate with victories in the critical U.S. Senate elections in North Carolina, Louisiana, Colorado, Iowa, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Florida. Connaughton praised Ogles in the statement. “Andy…

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