Judge Dismisses Challenge to Tennessee Election Integrity Law

Judge Eli Richardson

A federal district court judge dismissed a challenge to a Tennessee election integrity law meant to encourage people to only vote in the primary election associated with their party. District Judge Eli Richardson dismissed the lawsuit on Monday, The Associated Press reported.

The League of Women Voters of Tennessee, Knoxville News-Sentinel columnist Victor Ashe, and real estate developer Phil Lawson filed the lawsuit against the Tennessee Secretary of State, the state election coordinator, and the Tennessee Attorney General in November 2023, The Tennessee Star previously reported.

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Victor Ashe Commentary: Jimmy Matlock Has Some Explaining To Do on His Voting Record

Victor Ashe

by Victor Ashe   The recent revelation that 2nd District Congressional candidate Jimmy Matlock skipped the three-day special session called by Gov. Bill Haslam in 2016 to rescue federal highway dollars, as well as the vote to oust a sexual predator from the state House, has triggered further questions about his attendance record over the past 12 years.   It has been hit and miss for Matlock when it comes to being on the House floor for votes. Only this year, on the last day of the 2018 session, Matlock left three hours early before the House adjourned, missing several votes, including one on the sale of liquor in Tellico Village. He represents Tellico Village but did not want to take a position on the legislation He has yet to explain to voters why he did not attend the special legislative session. On April 10, 2014, when the state budget passed 68 to 27, Matlock was one of four House members not to vote. The budget is the single most important vote a lawmaker casts. Meanwhile, Matlock has challenged Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett to a one-on-one debate, as if the other three candidates are irrelevant. Clever – but why would…

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Diane Black is Only Gubernatorial Candidate Willing to Change Attorney General Selection Process, Victor Ashe Says

Diane Black Would Veto in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrant students

Victor Ashe noted in his weekly column that Diane Black is the only gubernatorial candidate who supports bringing more transparency to the attorney general selection process. The Black campaign touted Ashe’s column in a press release. The former Knoxville mayor wrote in the Knoxville News-Sentinel that Democratic candidates Craig Fitzhugh and Karl Dean, along with Republicans Beth Harwell (state House speaker) and Randy Boyd all said they support the status quo. Ashe wrote, “Surprisingly, no one is a change agent here as the selection process for state AG is unique to Tennessee with the Supreme Court (only five people) meeting behind closed doors once every eight years to pick a Tennessean to be the chief legal officer. The open meetings laws do not apply to this meeting of a public body.” Black supports voter input Black, however, believes the voters should have a say. “Whether through direct election or legislative appointment, Diane supports changing this process and will push for that change as governor.” Tennessee’s attorney general is Republican Herbert H. Slatery III. He was sworn in as the attorney general and reporter on Oct. 1, 2014, according to the attorney general’s website. Prior to his appointment, Slatery served as…

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Fundraising Support For Tim Burchett Comes With Elements of Controversy

Recent campaign fund raising events and reports reveal that support for Tim Burchett, candidate for the 2nd U.S. Congressional District being vacated by Congressman John “Jimmy” Duncan, is coming from sources involved in various levels of controversy. Burchett, term-limited as Knox County Mayor, announced on August 5, 2017, his intention to run for Congress after months of speculation about which office he would run for, largely induced by his own leading comments. Since the announcement, several fund raising events have been held for Burchett and the first FEC filing of the Burchett For Congress campaign was submitted October 15, 2017. For the period July 1 to September 30, 2017, Burchett For Congress has cash on hand of $113,676 after receiving contributions of $140,801 and having expenditures of $27,125 for the period. Contributions came from 212 individuals and two PACs, Red State PAC at $500 and former Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey’s PAC, RAAMPAC at $1,000. Ramsey, who introduced Burchett at a fundraiser held on September 28, 2017, the two having served together in the both the Tennessee House and Senate, repeatedly made references to “my friend, Tim.” Under Ramsey’s leadership, Republicans gained majorities in the House and Senate with Ramsey ending…

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Victor Ashe Commentary: Free Speech Showdown Coming to Knoxville When Douglas Henry State Museum Commission Committee Meets in September

Tennessee Star

  The recent August 15 meeting of the Joint Committee on Rules and Regs chaired by State Rep Jerry Faison and State Senator Mike Bell is already having an impact on the previously little known Douglas Henry State Museum Commission which is next scheduled to meet on Monday morning at 10 October 9 at the Knoxville Zoo in East Tennessee. The meeting is open to the public. There is also a bylaws committee meeting on September 14 in Knoxville which will attempt to revise the current bylaws which created so much controversy about free speech. They will submit new bylaws for the Commission to vote on in October. Before you start commenting on this meeting being held at the Zoo after all the issues the Commission has faced, you should recognize the Zoo in Knoxville is well worth viewing. It is a real tourist attraction in Knoxville. Almost 500,000 people a year visit. When I served as Mayor of Knoxville we were and are very proud of what has been accomplished there. The actual meeting will be near the entrance and the gift shop. While the Zoo is not art or history, it is a well maintained and operated facility…

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Victor Ashe Commentary: An Assault on Free Speech Was Thwarted Yesterday by the Tennessee General Assembly

Tennessee Star

  The Joint Legislative Committee on Rules and Regs of the Tennessee General Assembly met Tuesday, August 15 at the Legislative Plaza to consider the new bylaws of the Douglas Henry State Museum Commission. While no vote was taken, it was clear that the bipartisan committee was genuinely disturbed by what it heard. Chaired by State Rep Jeremy Faison, the committee debated for some time with Alexander Rieger from the AG’s staff and Commission Chair Tom Smith on whether these revised bylaws were simply policies or actually rules. Rieger appeared very unsure of himself and perplexed by the questions posed to him. He appeared to lack self confidence in his own legal opinions. While, this question of policy vs. rules may seem arcane to many, the practical effect is that the Museum Commission with policies may proceed on its own and with rules it must secure approval from the General Assembly to enact them. I argued that regardless of whether it is policy or rules, sound judgment and desire to listen to lawmakers would strongly suggest that the Commission should defer to the lawmakers and seek common ground. Otherwise, it is going to be a rocky and turbulent time for…

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Victor Ashe Commentary: Joint Legislative Committee Meets Today to Review Douglas Henry Museum Commission Rules That Stifle Dissent

  A month ago the Douglas Henry Museum Commission met July 10 and adopted new by laws which purport to give the Commission the right to force a Commissioner to resign and which require a Commissioner to provide an advance copy of any column or article he/she might write to the Commission. No other Board or Commission in state government that I am aware of has sought such power to silence a dissenting member. If the late Senator Henry, who I knew for 49 years, was alive today I am sure he would join me in saying that robust debate and discussion is critical to all public bodies. Efforts to impose prior restraint on speech are unconstitutional and contrary to sound public policy in a democracy. I was one of the original Commission members and the first chairman of the Commission after its creation. The Joint Legislative committee on rules and regulations is holding a hearing today, August 15, to review these rules. The Commission majority takes the position that the joint committee does not have jurisdiction. I strongly disagree. An effort to force a member to resign under certain conditions is not a policy, it is a rule. I…

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