I am supporting Beth Harwell for the Republican nominee for the 5th Congressional district.

 ABOUT BETH HARWELL

Beth has called Tennessee home since moving to Nashville to attend Lipscomb University for college. Following graduation, she moved on to Vanderbilt University for her PhD. Beth currently serves as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at Middle Tennessee State University. After having fallen in love with Nashville and her husband, Sam, Beth started her own family, raising three children: Allie, Sam, and Tucker.

She began as an assistant professor of political science at Belmont University in 1986, but because of her love for service and her community, Beth made the decision to run for the 56th legislative district. While she lost her first run, she came back again two years later to win the seat.

In her time as the State Representative of the 56th District, Beth worked her way up from the Chairwoman of the House Commerce Committee to House Republican Caucus Whip, eventually becoming the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House in Tennessee and the entire Southeast.

Under her leadership, Tennessee cut more taxes in her eight-year tenure than any other time in Tennessee history including eliminating the Hall Income Tax, repealing the Death Tax, and reducing the state sales tax on food. She also led the fight to reform the state pension program which brought Tennessee into the Top 5 states to fund state pensions.

Beth has impacted Tennessee’s education system in numerous ways, always maintaining a legislative focus on innovative education policy. In 2009, she passed landmark education reform legislation by putting school choice first so that families all over the state could make the best decisions for the child’s education. In addition, she pushed passage of legislation to direct additional funds for improvement of training for daycare workers.

In 2019, Beth was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve on the board of the Tennessee Valley Authority, which covers Tennessee and surrounding states, it is a federally owned electric utility corporation.

Beth served as chair of the state Republican Party from 2001 to 2004. During that time, she was instrumental in the Republicans taking control of the State Senate for the first time in 105 years.

To donate or learn more about Beth Harwell, follow this link. 

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Beth Harwell endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police!

From Beth Harwell:

Friends,

Big news. Our campaign was just endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police!

That’s right. Beth backs the blue 100% and that’s why local law enforcement is supporting Beth in the race for Tennessee’s 5th district!

We all know the radical left wants to defund our police departments and make crime run rampant in our communities. What a horrible idea!

Thankfully conservatives like Beth Harwell will make funding our police officers a priority in Congress. Law and Order is a top issue for our campaign which is why Beth released her “Back the Blue” plan last month.

 

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Harwell gets endorsement of pro-life Susan B. Anthony List

Press release, NASHVILLE, TN – Today, pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony’s List (SBA) announced its endorsement of Congressional District 5 candidate and former Speaker of the Tennessee House, Beth Harwell.

Hon. Marilyn Musgrave, SBA List’s vice president of government affairs, said, “Beth Harwell is a faithful champion of the unborn who proves that pro-life is truly pro-woman. Beth’s dynamic efforts as House speaker led to a pro-life constitutional amendment, strongly approved by voters, paving the way for swift enactment of life-saving laws. She did not rest, but immediately put her support behind health and safety requirements to hold the profit-driven abortion industry accountable, as well as legislation to protect women’s right to see an ultrasound and hear their baby’s heartbeat. Finally, under her leadership Tennessee successfully defunded abortion businesses of taxpayer dollars[KM1] . In Congress she will stand up to pro-abortion Democrats for Tennessee’s pro-life values, and we couldn’t be prouder to support her.”  

Per SBA’s press release, “SBA List is a network of 900,000 pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.”

“Thank you Susan B. Anthony’s list for putting your faith in me to stand up for the lives of unborn Americans and expectant mothers in Congress. In this day and age, we should be celebrating the arrival of a new life and uplifting pregnant women with the resources they need to make sure their child is cared for. I look forward to fighting for the right to life on the floor of the U.S. House,” said Beth Harwell.

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Beth Harwell: I am Taking the Term Limit Pledge

 From a Beth Harwell email letter:

Beth Harwell

Friends,

In Tennessee, we’re a citizen legislature. We’re part-time. You can’t make a living off serving in the state legislature – and you certainly can’t move to Nashville and forget about the district you represent.

 SUPPORT TERM LIMITS

What we’re seeing in Washington is unacceptable. Serving in Congress too long can make you out of touch with your constituency. Some members buy homes, move their families, and send their children to DC and Virginia schools.

Don't just take my word for it; here are some facts…

➔ A quarter of Congress has been in office for more than 16 years.

➔ Nearly half of Congress has been in office for more than eight.

➔ Nine members have been in office for more than 40 years.

 SUPPORT MY TERM LIMIT PLEDGE

That’s why when I am elected to serve Tennessee's Fifth Congressional District in Washington, I pledge to serve no more than three terms or six years in Congress. Because of this, I will be motivated, bold, and ready to pass legislation that is good for Tennessee and good for America.

I hope you will support me in this decision.

Thank you,

Beth Harwell

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Who is running for Congress in the 5th Congressional District?

 NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - ...The Republicans who filed for the 5th District include former Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell, small businessman Baxter Lee, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles, former U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, video producer Robby Starbuck and retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Kurt Winstead.

Other Republicans who filed include Geni Batchelor, Jeff Beierlein, Natisha Brooks, Sarah A. Grams, Richie Lee, Timothy Bruce Lee, Stewart T. Parks and Tres Wittum.

Democratic filers include state Sen. Heidi Campbell, who recently announced her campaign, and Justicia Rizzo. 

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Beth Harwell: No privatization of Tennessee park services as govenor

Beth Harwell

During Bill Haslam's time in office, he has increased government efficiency and increased our ranking in education and other measures.  During his time in office he has also reduced the State payroll by over 5,000 employees. He unsuccessfully pursued other efficiencies such as privatization and outsourcing of some functions at universities and state parks. Speaker of the House and candidate for governor Beth Harwell today announced that she should would not seek to privatize services at state parks if elected governor (link).

While at this point I am undecided who I will support for governor and while there are several factors that will go into my decision, I would like someone to serve as governor who would continue to pursue opportunities for reducing state payroll. This stated position by Beth Harwell opposing privatizing is a mark against her.

Some elected officials see governments function as a provider of employment and will oppose any economizing efforts that would cause a constituent to lose his job. I experienced this viewpoint at work shortly after I was elected to serve in the Metro Council. In the early 80's Metro still had elevator operators of the elevators in the Metro Courthouse.  I remember as a boy, almost all elevators had elevator operators but by the 80's elevators had long been self-service. The elevators in the courthouse were modern contemporary elevators, yet we still had an elevator operator which would ask you which of the three floors you wanted to go to and push the button for you.  Some members of the Council opposed eliminating those positions because those people would lose their job.

There was a big fight in the Council in changing the way we picked up garbage.  At that time, Metro did not contract any of the garbage collection but it was all collected by Metro employees.  We picked up garbage twice a week at the back door.  The garbage cans were not uniform and the garbage cans had to be manually empties instead of having a devise that lifted the cans.  A big
expense of collecting garbage was workman's comp. It seems that most garbage men ended up retiring early with a bad back. Contracting out garbage collection saved the city a massive amount of money, but many fellow council members opposed any change to the way we collected garbage because they had constituents who would lose a job.

The purpose of government is not to provide government jobs.

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1ST TUESDAY Lunch with Speaker Beth Harwell

Beth Harwell

Tuesday, August 1st at Waller Law, 511 Union Street.
Doors open at 11:00; Lunch at 11:30. Program at Noon. Q&A ending at 1pm.
Event is $20 for 1ST TUESDAY Members and $25 for Guests. To attend purchase your ticket at www.1sttuesdaynashville.com and click on ''Join Us''.

Speaker Harwell has joined the gubernatorial race and will
share her visions and plans for TN. Topics will include:
1) Nashville ''Sanctuary City'' fight
2) Funding TN Transportation needs - Gas taxes vs Sales taxes
3) Addressing prison costs and reforms
4) Looming topics given TN rapid growth ... and much more!

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Beth Harwell enters 2018 governor's race

The Tennessean: Beth Harwell enters 2018 governor's race touting experience and leadership

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Beth Harwell: If I Run for Governor 'I'm Not Going to Give Up the Speakership, That Would be Foolish'

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Womick files more ethics complaints against Beth Harwell

By SAM STOCKARD, Murfreesboro Post,   October 11, 2016 - Outgoing state Rep. Rick Womick filed two ethics complaints Thursday against House Speaker Beth Harwell, contending she "abused her position" for actions that "destroyed her independence of judgment."

Womick, a Rockvale Republican who is not seeking re-election, said in his first complaint that Harwell conducted an "unauthorized, unconstitutional investigation" of former Rep. Jeremy Durham. He also claims she involved Attorney General Herbert Slatery in the investigation even though he has opined that neither he nor Harwell had authority to investigate a General Assembly member without House approval.(link)

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House Speaker Says Tennessee Gas Tax Increase Unlikely This Year

House Speaker Beth Harwell said that Tennessee lawmakers are unlikely to take up a gas tax increase during this year's legislative session.

Speaking to a joint conference by the National Federation of Independent Business and the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association on Tuesday, Harwell said lawmakers are interested in discussing ways to "broaden the base" of transportation funding to make up for losses from vehicles with better fuel mileage and electric cars.

But the Nashville Republican said she doesn't expect an increase to be enacted this year. (link)

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Interesting profile of Beth Harwell: Beth Harwell's political roots come from Watergate.

by Brad Schmitt. The Tennessean, Jan.11, 2015 - About 42 years ago in a town 800 miles from Nashville, Beth Harwell felt her first pull toward politics. It was in a chair next to her dying grandmother's bed.

The two watched the Watergate hearings together, and a teenaged Harwell just adored Sen. Howard Baker Jr.'s Southern accent. "I love the way that man talks," she told her Grandmom.
Harwell is poised to launch her third term as speaker of the House on Tuesday when a new session of the Tennessee legislature begins. It's a long way from where and how she grew up. (link)

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Beth Harewell retains Speaker position!

The Republican House Caucus today nominated Beth Harwell as speaker beating back a challenge from tea party challenger Rick Womick.  Harwell got 57 votes to Womick's 15.  Since Democrats control an insufficient number of seats to effect the outcome, Beth Harwell will be speaker again. Here is the Tennessean report on the development: Harwell fends off Tea Party bid, nominated for speaker.

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Tea party seeks to get Rick Womick elected speaker.

Normally, the election of speaker is a pretty tame affair and the public does not get involved, but not this year. An article from the Times Free Press reports that various organizations have jumped into the fray. Here is an excerpt from the article:

With Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, challenging Republican Speaker Beth Harwell in Wednesday's GOP Caucus election, various tea party groups, anti-Common Core activists and the Tennessee Firearms Association have been bombarding Republican representatives with emails and phone calls in support of Womick.

Just last week, the Tennessee Republican Assembly and the heads of the Chattanooga and Nashville tea parties entered the fray, praising Womick as a "true patriot" and "true conservative" and arguing that his elevation to speaker "would further the true intention of Tennessee voters as expressed in the recent elections."

I am hoping the House reappoints Beth Harwell as speaker.  Under the current Republican leadership of Haslam, Harwell and Ramsey, Tennessee has cut taxes, has the nations absolutely lowest per capita debt of any state, has a pension liability that is over 90% funded, has had a remarkable improvement in education and the Republican majority has grown in the House. I don't know what more anyone could want. 

The Tennessee Firearms Association is irrational and is obsessed with the right of gun owners and think gun rights go way beyond the protections affirmed in second amendment and want the right to carry a gun onto the property of others even if they do not want guns on their property.  The Tennessee Republican Assembly thinks they are the only real Republicans and will never be satisfied.

If any state Representatives are reading this I urge you to reelect Beth Harwell as speaker.  We do not need as speaker someone who believes that requirements that restaurant parking lots be paved and that getting a permit before the installation of large flag poles is part of some bizarre United Nations plot.   I do not believe the intent of the voters in the recent election was for the State to go off on wild tangents, but to continue the rational, reasonable, responsible, commonsense conservative path we are on.

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Womick says Haslam is behind attacks on Harwell to make people think Womick is behind the attacks on Harwell.

In case you missed it:

 Womick says GOP behind attacks on Harwell

The Tennessean, Dec. 2, 2014-The Tea Party candidate for Tennessee House speaker says establishment Republicans, including key advisers to Gov. Bill Haslam, created robocalls and emails attacking House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, in an attempt to undermine his candidacy for speaker.

Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, said neither he nor his supporters created robocalls that are going out to members of the General Assembly. The calls attack Harwell personally, Womick said. He said he’s spoken with other GOP members who received the calls, but Womick said he’s never heard the call. House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh, D-Ripley, said his office is receiving “a lot” of the calls.

Womick is quoted in the Nashville Scene accusing Haslam Chief of Staff Mark Cate and Haslam political adviser Tom Ingram of orchestrating the robocalls.

Wow, that would be pretty Machiavellian. So, Womick is saying the robo calls attacking Harwell are being put out by Haslam's people, who support Harwell, so people will think they are being put out by Womick or his people, to make Womick look bad. Maybe, Womick really put out the robo calls so people would think they were put out by the Haslam's  people in an attempt to make people think they were put out by Womick or his people to make Womick look bad, which if people thought that then people would think bad of Haslam's people which would help Womick. Or, maybe they really were put out by Haslam's people to make people think Womick put them out to make people think .........

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Rick Womick says Beth Harwell has "compromised our trust," and has been "insincere" and "unethical."

In his campaign for Speaker of the House, Representative Rick Womick has come out very critical of  current speaker Beth Harwell. In a letter to fellow members of the House of Representatives he says she has shown "a lack of accountability to the members of the Caucus," that she has "compromised our trust," and has been "insincere" and "unethical." Below is the letter. The underlining is mine.

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Rep. Rick Womick disavows and condemns attacks on Speaker Beth Harwell

RICK WOMICK STATE REPRESENTATIVE 34TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICK PRESS STATEMENT - There are several emails that have been showing up in legislative and personal email boxes that are attacking Speaker Harwell, her staff, and other legislators on a personal level, ultimately targeting the character and personalities of all involved. While I appreciate the efforts of undisclosed supporters across the state, I am not responsible, do not condone, and do not support these, or any future emails, that degrade, attack, or misrepresent the character of any individual associated with the Tennessee House of Representatives.

My bid for speaker is based on a fundamental disagreement in leadership style and a lack of accountability to the members of the Republican caucus. My challenge to Speaker Harwell is not of a personal nature and I will not allow it to degrade into a campaign centered around character assassination.

As I stated in an earlier press release, serving as Speaker of the House is a very serious matter and an extremely important position in our state's government. Such a position of leadership should not be treated as an inconsequential popularity contest for class president.  Instead it should be fully vetted before anyone is allowed to assume the office.

Over the next two weeks, I will be addressing the serious issues and misgivings that confront the current House leadership, as well as, revealing the truth, the facts, and the evidence as it pertains to their tenure. In return, I will offer the option of new leadership, with new direction, fresh ideas, accountability to its members, and a House that truly belongs to the legislators and the people they represent.

I will continue to be professional and respectful as I begin to detail the serious grievances and improprieties that confront the Republican caucus during this election for speaker-select. I have encouraged my fellow legislators not to be persuaded by disparaging attacks or hurtful innuendos that are beyond our control. It is my desire that we stay focused, get beyond personality differences, and address the most important aspect of our election, which is the constitutional governance entrusted to us by the people of Tennessee. (end of press release)

To read more about this issue, follow this link: Email urging Speaker Harwell's ouster casts her as puppet.

Here is an except from the story: 

The latest email featured House Clerk Joe McCord as a puppet master, pulling the strings of Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent and Speaker Pro Tempore Curtis Johnson from one hand and House Speaker Beth Harwell and former Republican Caucus Leader-turned education lobbyist Debra Maggart on the other.
“It is time to cut ties,” the image says in bold, capital letters. “Vote Rick Womick for speaker. No one will pull his strings.”

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Rick Womick to challenge Beth Harwell for House speaker

Beth Harwell has been a voice for common sense conservative governance and has led the House to a greater and greater Republican majority. Managing the House must be like herding cats but she has done a good job of advancing an agenda, passing important legislation and keeping the Republican majority from splintering into warring factions.  Along with Governor Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Beth Harwell has advanced polices that cut taxes and cut the size of government while bringing about meaningful education reform and efficiencies in government.

Representative Rick Womick has announced he will be challenging Beth Harwell for the Speaker's position.  Rick Womick is, to put it politely, not a team player. He is somewhat of a loose cannon and sometimes an embarrassment. In what could be a legitimate political disagreement with Governor Haslam, he called the Governor a "traitor" to the Republican Party.

In Murfreesboro there was a case where the use of a commercial parcel of property changed from one use to different use.  The new use required the parking area be paved. This is a very common occurrence in cites all across America. Rick Womick came to the defense of the owner of the property and said this was example of government overreach as part to the UN conspiracy to impose Agenda 21 on the American people. Also in Murfreesboro, Womick characterized the city requirement that flag poles be inspected to insure proper footings and wind-load design as part of the Agenda 21 conspiracy. He also has said city annexation is a way that cities plot to take away property rights via the notorious U.N. “Agenda 21.”

A few years ago, there was almost a hysteria about Agenda 21 among some in the Tea Party movement. Agenda 21 never amounted to much. It was never a treaty but a UN sponsored study that looked at development issues and conservation and sustainability. The concern about Agenda 21 originated with the John Birch Society and people like Alex Jones and Glen Beck but it spread to the Republican mainstream. The ultimate theory was that it was a plan to kill 97% of the world's population, to be accomplished by poisoning them with aspartame and fluoride.  Not everyone who jumped on the Anti-Agenda 21 bandwagon even knew of the ultimate theory but everything from shady sidewalks, to traffic roundabouts, to traffic calming, to reintroducing wolves into the wild, bike lanes, bike share programs, conservation easements, and art in public places was denounced as part of Agenda 21. Rick Womick sponsored the non-binding memorializing resolution denouncing Agenda 21. Unfortunately it passed the House by an overwhelming majority and while not vetoing it, Governor Haslam refused to sign it.

Womick has also been active in the anti-Muslim movement. I recognize the legitimate threat of radical Islam but due to the threat from radical Islam there has spread a general suspicion of all Muslims. Also, there is this believe of some on the fringe of the right that we are in danger of having Sharia law imposed on us. Womick has made no secret of his anti-Muslim views. He has warned of the threat of having Sharia law imposed on us and he has taken the position that no Muslims should be allowed to serve in the U. S. military.

I don't think it would happen but I surely hope that the State House would not replace someone of the caliber of Beth Harwell for the bombastic, conspiracy theorist, irrational Rick Womick.

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From The Tennessean: Harwell-Womick speaker race to test Republican loyalties

Harwell-Womick speaker race to test Republican loyalties

 

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Beth Harwell says she is "open" to possibility of running for Governor

Speaker of the House Beth Harwell told the Paris Tennessee Post-Intelligencer she is is interested in the possibility of becoming the state’s first female governor.  “I do love what I do, and it’s an honor to get to be speaker,” Harwell is quoted as saying. “Nobody knows exactly what the future holds, either personally or professionally, but if I had the opportunity to run for a statewide office, I would certainly be interested in doing that, and I would just have to see what the lay of the land is.” (link)

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