Tag: Rep. Judd Matheny

John Rose Touts Fundraising for His Congressional Campaign, Helped Some by Haslam Family and Democrats

Wendy Wilson

John Rose on Thursday touted his campaign’s first quarter of fundraising, noting that he has more than four times the resources of State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), who is also vying for the Republican nomination for the 6th Congressional District seat. A small business owner and farmer, Rose briefly served as Tennessee agriculture commissioner under former Republican Gov. Don Sundquist. Rose has $468,029 cash on hand after expenditures totaling $74,421, according to his filing with the Federal Election Commission. More than $250,000 came from self-funding. Rose’s campaign got a boost from Democratic contributors and a somewhat bigger one from members of the Haslam family. Charles Robert Bone, a Nashville attorney, businessman and Democratic Party fundraiser, contributed $2,700. His wife, Sacha, contributed an additional $2,700. Nashville Democratic political strategist Dave Cooley contributed $500. “You will not find two bigger Democrats in this state than Obama bundler Charles Bone and Bredesen ‘political enforcer’, Dave Cooley,” said one longtime GOP insider. “What is perplexing is that Rose thought accepting these contributions from two notorious liberal Democrats would somehow help him with conservative Republicans. I predict his eagerness to ask Democrats for money will cause him major trouble among GOP primary voters,” the insider…

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John Rose Steps Up Campaign to Represent Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District

Wendy Wilson

John Rose is ramping up his campaign for Congress. The DeKalb County Republican, who announced last month that he is running for U.S. Rep. Diane Black’s seat in the 6th Congressional District, held a campaign kick-off Saturday in Carthage, where he was endorsed by Smith County Mayor Michael Nesbitt. Campaign spokesman Braden Stover said 300 people attended. On Sunday, Rose released a statement on the national anthem protests in which he backed President Trump. “Our flag is a symbol we all hold dear, and it is important that we Americans honor it,” Rose said. “It is also important that we respect our men and women in uniform and recognize the sacrifice that they are making for all of us. There is too much division in our country, and our flag and national anthem should be symbols that unite us, not divide us.” On Monday, Rose attended an Upper Cumberland Young Life banquet in Cookeville, noting on his Facebook page that he was “encouraged to see young people pursuing Christ in their lives.” Black is giving up her seat to run for governor. State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) is also in the race for the Republican nomination. Rose is a small business…

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Judd Matheny Prepared for Special Election if U.S. Rep. Diane Black Leaves Seat to Ramp Up Gubernatorial Campaign

Wendy Wilson

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee — State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) said Tuesday he wouldn’t be surprised if U.S. Rep. Diane Black (R-TN-6) decided to resign her seat in Congress to focus on her campaign for governor. “If not, the governor’s race is going to leave her behind,” said Matheny, speaking at a fundraiser at the home of political supporters in Brentwood. Matheny said the race for governor is shaping up to be competitive, with five leading candidates vying for the Republican nomination. If Black were to resign her 6th congressional district seat early, there would be a special election to replace her. Matheny is already campaigning hard to win her seat in 2018. Former state Sen. Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) recently resigned from the state legislature to focus on her gubernatorial campaign, fueling speculation that Black and state House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville) might consider resigning their seats to more effectively campaign for governor. Matheny spoke Tuesday evening at the home of Lee and Elizabeth Douglas. Lee Douglas is a dentist and conservative activist. He told his guests he doesn’t know Matheny well personally, but has followed his political career and is impressed with his conservative credentials. Douglas said Matheny could be…

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EXCLUSIVE: U.S. House Freedom Caucus Members Fundraising In Nashville For Conservatives

Laura Baigert

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – House Freedom Caucus leader Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH), along with members Dave Brat (R-Virginia), Ralph Norman (R-SC) and Scott Perry (R-PA) accompanied Tennessee’s 4th District Scott DesJarlais to a Fundraising Reception held in Nashville to benefit the House Freedom Fund. The House Freedom Fund is a Political Action Committee (PAC), with Jordan serving as Chairman, that “helps elect rock-solid conservative candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives.” All five Congressman made comments in front of the group of attendees and then mingled amongst them, making their rounds to speak with everyone on an individual basis over the course of a couple of hours. All expressed optimism for the future as well as support for each other, fellow Freedom Caucus members and President Trump. The comments addressed a variety of topics including current legislative issues of Obamacare repeal and tax reform as well as some of their individual experiences since being in Washington, D.C. Congressman DesJarlais, who holds the highest conservative scorecard ratings of the entire Tennessee delegation, said of the event, “I’m glad my colleagues could experience some Tennessee hospitality, while we plan for the future.” He continued, The event was an opportunity for conservatives to come…

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State Sen. Mark Green, Rep. Judd Matheny and Tennessee Eagle Forum’s Bobbie Patray Honored for Efforts to Fight Terrorism

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee — The Center for Security Policy gave awards Friday to state Sen. Mark Green, (R-Clarksville), state Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) and Bobbie Patray of the Tennessee Eagle Forum for their efforts to counter terrorism. Christopher Holton, vice president for outreach for the Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank, was at Legislative Plaza to present the awards. Holton called the three “exemplary individuals” and cited their work on state legislation approved this past spring that protects people who report suspicious activity from civil and criminal liability if they act in good faith. Green sponsored the legislation in the Senate and Matheny was the sponsor in the House. Holton said such legislation is needed to encourage people to report suspicious activity and behavior. He mentioned the reluctance of neighbors of the San Bernardino terrorists to report suspicious activity they witnessed. They did not contact authorities because they were afraid of being called racist. “We don’t want that to happen anywhere,” Holton said. Matheny told The Tennessee Star that it is a “much-needed law,” and Green said he was grateful that the Center for Security Policy recognized their efforts. They both received a Defender of Freedom Award. Patray, the longtime president of the Tennessee Eagle…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Rips Tennessee U.S. Sen. Bob Corker for Harsh Criticism of President Trump

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) on Friday said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) was out of line in his recent harsh criticism of President Trump. As a leading U.S. senator, Corker should know better than to undermine the president at a time when the country is facing tough challenges at home and abroad, Matheny said. “You don’t speak like that about the president. You just don’t. He ought to be ashamed,” Matheny told The Tennessee Star at Legislative Plaza, where Matheny was receiving an award from the Center for Security Policy for his efforts to fight terrorism. Corker told reporters in Chattanooga last week that “radical changes” are needed at the White House. He questioned Trump’s competence and his understanding of what has made the U.S. a great nation. Trump fired back on Friday with a tweet saying, “Strange statement by Bob Corker considering that he is constantly asking me whether or not he should run again in ’18. Tennessee not happy!” Trump has been bombarded with criticism from the mainstream media, the left and establishment Republicans like Corker in the wake of his comments blaming both sides for the recent violent clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, between white supremacists and radical…

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Center for Security Policy to Honor State Sen. Mark Green, Rep. Judd Matheny and Tennessee Eagle Forum’s Bobbie Patray

Wendy Wilson
Tennessee Star

  The Center for Security Policy will honor three Tennesseans on Friday for their efforts to protect their fellow Tennesseans from terrorism. The Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank will recognize State Senator Mark Green (R-Clarksville), State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) and Bobbie Patray, president of the Tennessee Eagle Forum. The group will hold a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Friday in Room 16 at Legislative Plaza in downtown Nashville, where the awards will be presented. The awards for Green and Matheny are for sponsoring legislation to counter terrorism. The award for Patray is for her leadership role in promoting legislative initiatives to counter terrorism, as well as her efforts to “preserve the integrity of Tennessee’s education system and to protect the constitutional rights of Tennessee’s citizens,” according to a press release from the group. Patray told The Tennessee Star on Wednesday that she is “very honored and humbled by this recognition and especially to share the day with Sen. Mark Green and Rep. Judd Matheny.” “We have worked together on a number of important issues,” she said. “I am very grateful to the Center for Security Policy for this recognition.” For Patray, the award comes as she has marks her 30th anniversary…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny Calls on Gov. Bill Haslam to Use Influence to Stop Players with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns from Dishonoring National Anthem

Wendy Wilson

  State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) on Tuesday called on Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam to do what he can to stop NFL players from taking a knee during the playing of the national anthem. Haslam’s brother, Jimmy, is owner of the Cleveland Browns in addition to being CEO of the Pilot Flying J chain of gas stations and convenience stores. Matheny, who is running for Congress in the Sixth Congressional District, posted the following on Facebook Tuesday morning along with a photo of Cleveland Browns players taking a knee at a game Monday evening. A dozen players were reported to have taken a knee. Governor Haslam, your family owns the Cleveland Browns. Would you please use your influence to put an immediate stop to the behavior displayed in the NFL last night. These individuals who disrespected our flag and anthem should be returned to normal jobs and help build our community. Their actions only set poor examples for our youth to follow-all this in a time when we need national cohesion worse than ever. Would the citizens of Tennessee, Ohio and the rest of the country please DEMAND this behavior stop. We cannot let public figures continue to get away with…

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State Rep. and Congressional Candidate Judd Matheny Donates School Supplies At Portland Back to School Bash

Laura Baigert

PORTLAND, Tennessee — State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma) handed out school supplies at the 8th annual Back to School Bash sponsored by the Portland Chamber of Commerce on Saturday. Matheny is running in the Republican primary for the 6th District of the U.S. House, a seat currently held by expected gubernatorial candidate Diane Black, could be found handing out school supplies. The event, was held Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Richland Park. Sponsors of the event handed out backpacks filled with school supplies to students who met the only requirement of being enrolled in Portland schools and accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bags were available to everyone from pre-Kindergarten to grade 12, and the 700 available bags were handed out within 1 hour and 10 minutes, Portland Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Sherri Ferguson, told The Tennessee Star. Dozens of volunteers helped to pack the backpacks and then hand them out at the event. Another 10 bags will be delivered to each of Portland’s nine schools, as will additional school supplies in time for the first day of school, Monday, August 7. Matheny has attended several of these events around the 6th Congressional District, handing out lunch…

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Marsha Blackburn: ‘People Not Believing Evening News Is A Really Good Thing,’ Credits The Tennessee Star For Being ‘Reliable’

Laura Baigert

WOODBURY, Tennessee — U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7), speaking to a group of 125 at the Cannon County Reagan Day Dinner held at the Rustic Elegance Event Center in Woodbury Friday evening, said that the American people don’t believe what they hear on the evening news, and that’s “a really good thing.” Blackburn was introduced by one-time fellow Tennessee House colleague, gubernatorial candidate and State Senator for the district Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet), who later spoke about her campaign platform, as did fellow candidate and Franklin businessman Bill Lee.  Representatives Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) and Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), also gave brief remarks at the event. Referencing a survey of 3,000 people, Blackburn said 70 percent said “no” to the question of whether they believe what they hear from the evening news.  She blamed that on the fact that they are simply not reliable, in contrast to a reliable news outlet “like The Tennessee Star.” After pointing out that if the evening news is not believable, the next question is who do they believe. Blackburn gave a message of optimism in pointing out that the answer is “Y-O-U.” “They believe their well-informed friends and neighbors.  People they trust and know.  Not Fox,…

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State Rep. Judd Matheny to Grassroots Activist Group: ‘I Have Not And Will Not Compromise On Conservative Principles’

Laura Baigert

MURFREESBORO, Tennessee – State Rep. Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), speaking to a group of about 50 grassroots activists, the majority of whom were Heritage Action Sentinels, made a statement that may best summarize his popularity with Tennessee conservatives. “I have not and will not compromise on conservative principles,” he told the group. The Rutherford County Heritage Action Sentinel group was founded by Katherine Hudgins, who is a Heritage Action Sentinel Wall of Honor awardee and is now a Sentinel Builder for the organization, and Jackie Archer, President of Tennessee Textbook Advocates.  The group holds meetings or activities on a monthly basis, the previous one being an appreciation luncheon for U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-TN) for his Heritage Action score, which at 93 percent ranks him the most conservative of the Tennessee delegation. Rep. Bryan Terry (R-Murfreesboro), who represents the district where the meeting was held, attended and extended an invitation to his 4th Annual Empowering Women Event on July 10, co-hosted by Rep. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro). Rep. Matheny was invited to speak to the group about his plan to run for Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District, should Rep. Diane Black decide to leave the seat to run for governor, as well as…

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State Senate Candidate Mark Pody Calls The IMPROVE Act ‘Washington Politics’

Laura Baigert

MOUNT JULIET, Tennessee — At his first public speaking engagement since announcing, in an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star, his candidacy for the State Senate seat Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet) will be leaving to run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2018, Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon) called the IMPROVE Act “Washington politics” for the way numerous issues were combined in one bill without an “up or down” vote on each individually. At the Americans For Prosperity Town Hall held in Mt. Juliet on Monday evening with Field Director Shawn Hatmaker and attended by more than 30 people to honor and appreciate Rep. Pody and Sen. Beavers for their vote against the gas tax increasing IMPROVE Act, Rep. Pody’s comments on the recently concluded legislative session focused largely on the IMPROVE Act. Using four different colored packs of sweeteners and sugar, Rep. Pody gave a visual demonstration of the IMPROVE Act when he ripped the packets open and poured them out together, alluding to the separate and unrelated issues in the bill (HB534), saying “They all came out white,” and they then had to “Vote on that, whether there was some good or some bad.  That’s what DC does.” “As…

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Rep. Judd Matheny and Conservative Majority Caucus Denounce In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrant Students

Laura Baigert
Tennessee Star

  NASHVILLE, Tennessee–State Representative Judd Matheny (R-Tullahoma), joined by more than a dozen conservative state house members, held a press conference Monday to voice their strong opposition to the push by Governor Haslam and the Republican leadership to extent in-state tuition privileges to illegal immigrant students. “We are standing up because believe the hard-working families and small businesses that make up our great state need an advocate in Nashville who will put them first. We will stand up for the rights of Tennesseans when legislators fail to hear their constituents,” Matheny said. Tennessee Star cameras were rolling: The Star has covered the developments surrounding the in-state tuition push closely, from state Senators White and Gardenhire’s repeated bill proposals to the Tennessee Farm Bureau’s outspoken support. “Today, our goal is to shine the light of truth on a bill that will give in-state college tuition to illegal immigrants. We believe HB 863/SB 1014 is unconstitutional and it will cost Tennessee taxpayers dearly. It will make us a magnet for illegal immigrants – which will further strain our public education system,” Matheny said. “Our position regarding this bill is simple. Our state cannot afford to subsidize public college tuition for illegal aliens, nor should it.…

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