Tennessee General Assembly Gavels in for 2024

 Rep. Susan Lynn

From Rep. Susan Lynn, Jan. 12,2023-  The 113th General Assembly reconvened in Nashville this week for the start of its second legislative session. Republicans this year will continue focusing on making strategic investments in education and public safety while also strengthening the economy and cutting taxes.

Among the top priorities for 2024 will be to approve a spending plan that addresses the needs of all Tennesseans. After nearly a decade of unprecedented economic growth, lawmakers will have to be even more conservative with their spending in 2024 as experts expect a $300 million shortfall in the budget. The State Funding Board estimated revenue growth for the 2023 fiscal year to be at 7.7 percent, however, actual growth was closer to 5.39 percent.

Despite lagging revenue collections and record-high inflation, the Volunteer State remains in a strong overall financial position with its economy continuing to outperform the national average. Tennessee has a long tradition of being a well-managed state with an incredibly low tax burden for residents. The General Assembly in 2023 invested an additional $250 million into the state’s Rainy-Day Fund, bringing it to more than $2 billion in total. This increases Tennessee’s financial stability and will benefit the state in the event of an economic downturn.

Supporting students and educators will also continue to be a priority for the Republican supermajority this session. Lawmakers have increased funding for K-12 education by $1.3 billion since fiscal year 2022-23, prioritized the individual needs of students with passage of the Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Act and approved the largest pay increase for teachers in state history. Members of the General Assembly this year will explore a proposal from Gov. Bill Lee that would expand school choice statewide through the Education Freedom Scholarship Act. This legislation would give families more control over how their tax dollars are used for their child’s education.

Improving public safety and protecting communities from crime will be another key area of focus this session. The General Assembly will consider measures to provide law enforcement with additional tools to keep criminals off the streets along with proposals to ensure offenders receive the appropriate sentences for their crimes. Last year, lawmakers approved $232 million to enhance school safety in Tennessee and will continue looking for additional ways to keep classrooms safe. 

Republicans will also look for ways to provide additional mental health support for residents as well as improve access to health care in rural communities along with other legislative initiatives that address various needs statewide.

Tennessee continues to thrive under conservative leadership, and House Republicans seek to build on that momentum in 2024. 

Bill Aims to close Loophole for Defendants Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

As part of an aggressive push to improve public safety in Tennessee, a Republican bill would close a legal loophole for defendants found incompetent to stand trial.

House Bill 1640, sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, would require criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an appropriate treatment facility. Current state law does not provide this requirement.

“This closes a loophole that puts the public’s safety at serious risk by allowing dangerous individuals back into society to languish and re-offend without receiving the appropriate mental health services and supervision they desperately need,” Lamberth said.

Jillian Ludwig

The legislation was introduced following the murder of Jillian Ludwig, an 18-year-old Belmont University freshman who was fatally shot while walking in a Nashville park on Nov. 7. Her killer, Shaquille Taylor, was a repeat violent offender prosecuted in April 2023 for a separate crime of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The case against Taylor was dismissed after three court-appointed physicians testified he was incompetent to stand trial and was released from custody. “This loss is an incomprehensible, senseless tragedy that exposes a critical failure in our judicial and mental health care systems,” Lamberth said. “I expect this legislation to close the wide gap in current law so that law-abiding citizens are protected from anything like this ever happening again in our state.”

The legislation would additionally require individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial to be entered into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which serves as a namecheck database of people prohibited from buying or owning firearms.

AI Protections for Music Industry

Republicans unveiled legislation to address the damaging impact artificial intelligence (AI) can have on the music industry in Tennessee.

ARTIST RIGHTS ALLIANCE
Executive Director Jen Jacobsen 

Gov. Bill Lee announced the Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act this week, which will add protections for songwriters, performers, and music industry professionals’ voice from the misuse of AI to Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law. Overall, the music industry supports more than 61,617 jobs across the state, contributes $5.8 billion to Tennessee’s GDP and fills more than 4,500 music venues.

“From Beale Street to Broadway, to Bristol and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state,” Gov. Lee said. “As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”

While Tennessee’s existing law protects name, image and likeness, it doesn’t specifically address new, personalized generative AI cloning models and services that enable human impersonation and allow users to make unauthorized fake works in the image and voice of others. Artists and musicians at all levels are facing exploitation and the theft of their integrity, identity, and humanity.

“Tennessee is home to a remarkably diverse music community that is important not only to the culture of our state, but its economy as well,” said House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland. “As technology advances, we must ensure the intellectual property of these incredibly talented artists, such as their voice, is fully protected. I am incredibly proud to carry this legislation that will benefit the performers who make our music industry so successful.”

The ELVIS Act would be the first legislation of its kind in the nation to build upon existing state rule protecting against the unauthorized use of someone’s likeness by adding “voice” to the realm it protects.

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High Drama in the House as Rogue Republicans Team up with Democrats to Bust the Budget

State Representative Susan Lynn - Passage of the budget did not come without tension and drama.  A persistent false rumor started weeks ago that the Democrats had received a $250 - $300 million pay-off from the Governor in exchange for their vote on the IMPROVE Act was exposed as fake news when the final budget released on Wednesday revealed that no such initiative for the Democrats was included in the budget.  A small band of House Republicans had believed the rumor to be true despite repeated denials by the Governor, House Republican Leadership and Republican members of the House Finance, Ways and Means committee.  These same Republicans were additionally disappointed to find that the conservative budget did not contain any of their $285 million in requested earmarks to the budget. 

 

The situation boiled over on Wednesday and culminated in an attempted power play as the small group of House Republican’s decided to caucus with the House Democrats in order make a plan to hi-jack the budget on the House floor on Thursday morning.  Prior to House Session the group filed over $1 billion in budget amendments in order to send the budget out of balance and attempt to strong arm pet projects for their districts. 

 

Their efforts were fought by House Republican Leadership and House Republican Finance, Ways and Means Committee members but the coalition of 28 House Republicans and all of the Democrats was successful at adding nearly $400 million in earmarks to the budget.  As tempers flared the Republican Leadership and Republican Finance, Ways and Means Committee members decided to adjourn the Session and suspend the budget vote until the next morning. 

 

A compromise was achieved the next morning.  The rogue Republicans agreed to strip all of the $300+ million in earmarks from the budget bill in exchange for $55 million that was to kick-off the IMPROVE Act being redirected to the county state-aid road fund – a fund that counties can use for projects on local state roads. 

 

The Senate is expected to vote on the budget on Monday and accept the $55 million compromise. 

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US Rep. Diane Black and State Rep. Susan Lynn Endorse Clark Boyd for State Senator

Rep. Susan Lynn, Clark Boyd, and Rep. Diane Black

State Senate candidate Clark Boyd who is running against Senator Mae Beavers has received the endorsement of Clark Boyd. In her email newsletter out today, Susan Lynn writes:

US Rep. Diane Black and I have both enthusiastically endorsed state Senate candidate Clark Boyd.  Clark is a veteran, small business owner in Lebanon, a loving husband, father and a Sunday school teacher. As immediate past Chairman of the Wilson County Republican Party Clark did an excellent job and his leadership made us very proud.  Clark will make us proud as our state Senator. 

Please visit Clark's website at  www.voteclarkboyd.com, and on Clark's State Farm website you can see a video of Clark that you might enjoy viewing; www.clarkboyd.com.  A state Senate district contains 180,000 people and Clark has been working very hard but because it is very difficult to meet each voter at their door Clark asked me to provide you with his phone number and websites: 615-618-3329. 

I am pleased to see Senator Black and Rep. Lynn, two people I greatly admire and respect, endorse Mr. Boyd.  I do not personally know Mr. Boyd but if I was voting in that district, I would be voting for him.  Mae Beavers has too often taken fringe position, such as sponsoring legislation to nullify federal laws. She is an embarrassment and needs to be replaced by a sane Republican.

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My endorsements for the August 2nd election

U. S. Senate: Bob Corker

This is not even a close call. Instead of running for reelection to the Senate, I actually wish Bob Corker was our Party's presidential candidate.  Bob is conservative, smart, likable, hard-working and pragmatic.  I know that some in the Party think that compromise and pragmatism are bad things. I do not. I think one can be principled and pragmatic. I still hope that Bob Corker will one day be President.

Visit his website. 

5th Congressional District:  Brad Staats

 
Whoever gets the nomination will have an uphill fight defeating Jim Cooper. I wish we had a candidate who already had name recognition and had served in public office, maybe someone like Beth Harwell, or a super wealthy candidate with major business success, maybe someone like Lee Beaman.  Unfortunately we do not.


I am reluctantly endorsing Brad Staats.  I say reluctantly, not that I have any reservations about Staats, but because I really like Bob Ries and his daughter Stacy, who always campaigns with him, and I feel bad about not endorsing Bob.  Bob is a friend and Bob has some good ideas. However, when I look at who could best challenge Jim Cooper, I do not think it is Bob Ries.  In making my decision who to support, electability is a factor. I hate to be so blunt, but Bob's age is a factor that would work to his disadvantage.  Also, Bob ran two years ago in  the Republican primary for this seat and came in near the bottom in an eleven-person contest.  Then,  he ran for Metro Council and did not fare too well. Brad Staats does not have that baggage of someone who runs and loses. He is a new face. With Brad Staats, maybe if Republicans would open their wallets, we could have a chance of defeating Jim Cooper. I just don't think we can do it with Bob Ries. 

For more information on Brad Staats see his website here and his FaceBook page

6th Congressional District: Diane Black

 
 This is not even close. I might could even vote for a Democrat before I could vote for Lou Ann Zelenic. My primary objection to Zelenic is that she does not support the Constitution. She has taken a position that the First Amendment does not apply to Muslims. It is not that I don't have concern about radical Islam but I support the Constitution. We cannot claim we love the Constitution and say that Islam is not really a religion so therefore Muslims are not covered.

To learn more about Diane Black visit her website here. 

State Senate District 20: Steve Dickerson

 
Steve Dickerson is a physician and founding partner of Anesthesia Services Associates, currently practicing in Nashville and middle Tennessee. I am very impressed by his grasp of the issues and his passion for finding solutions to pubic policy problems. With health care promising to be one of the most difficult issues facing Tennessee in years to come and the unknowns associated with Obamacare, we need someone with Dickerson's background and intelligence serving in the State Senate.

Visit his website here.
 

State Representative 45th District:  Debra Maggart

 

As a legislator, Debra has quickly risen to be one of the most influential leaders in Tennessee. In 2011, her peers in the Legislature selected her to Chair the Republican Caucus. Much of the credit for passing the Republican agenda including  tax cuts, ending the death tax, tort reform and education reform belongs to Debra Maggart. 

She has the support of Governor Haslam, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, House leader Beth Harwell and luminaries such as economist Authur Laffer.  Because she did not bring to the floor a bill that would establish  that gun owners have the right to carry their guns onto the property of their employer, the gun lobby is making an all out effort to defeat her despite her having a stellar record of defending second amendment rights. She needs to be reelected because she is great legislator and a solid conservative, but it is time someone stood up to the bullies in the gun lobby.  Visit her website here. 

 State Representative 50th District: Charles Williamson

 

Charles is a small business man, a geologist and president of Geotechnical & Environmental Service, Inc.  He is also owns and operates a bison farm in Goodlettsville where he has raised buffalo
for the last 20 years. He is a solid conservative and a man of integrity and Charles Williamson is also one of the nicest men you would ever want to meet.  

Visit his webpage here and his Facebook page.

State Representative District 57: Susan Lynn

 

Susan Lynn served the 57th district from 2002-2010 in the State House. In 2009 she declared her candidacy for the 17th State Senate district when the incumbent senator announced her retirement. Some ten months later the incumbent reversed her decision and Lynn had to face the incumbent in a primary contest. The incumbent Senator won that primary.  Now, Susan Lynn is seeking reelection to the 57th district seat. She was an good legislator and a conservative leader in the House. She deserves to be reelected. 

Visit her website here.  

State Representative District 53: Tonya Miller

  

Since 2007 Tonya has specialized in Spanish/English interpreting and translating for courts, hospitals and businesses and she is registered with the TN Administrative Office of the Courts. Tonya has a very interesting background and a diverse work experience including serving as an embassy intern in Argentina. She is an active volunteer in her community and has connections with the immigrant community.  

With the growth of the immigrant population in Nashville, I think it would be advisable for the Republican Party to elect someone with ties to that community.  Republicans should not just assume immigrants are a Democrat voting bloc. Tonya Miller is a person who has solid core conservative believes but also has cultural awareness and rapport with people of diverse backgrounds.  

Visit her website here.

 State Representative District 60: Jim Gotto

 

In 2010 Jim Gotto won election to this seat long held by Democrat Representative Ben West who retired and did not seek reelection. Winning this seat was a tremendous victory for Republicans in Davidson County. Jim has proven himself as a solid conservative and a leader in the House.

During his tenure as Metro Councilman, Jim Gotto distinguished himself as a member who was never afraid to take on the status quo in Nashville. He publicly spoke out against the abuse of eminent domain. He was a joint sponsor of a bill that resulted in an independent Metro Internal Auditor, not one that reports to the Mayor's Office. 

He faces no Republican challenger in the primary. Visit his website here.  

State Representative District 59: Robert Duvall  

 

Robert Duvall is a principled, common-sense, hard-working, smart conservative who is not hesitant to identify himself as a Republican in the Metro Council. He has done a lot to help build the Republican Party in Davidson County. He cares about his community, Nashville and his country. He supports limited government, private property rights and low taxes.  He is a fighter. Because of his leadership and willingness to stand up to the administration, he is was targeted for defeat by the mayor in the last Council election but Duvall won the election. 

In the recent battle over a property tax increase, the only legislative proposal that would have not have resulted in a tax increase was the Duvall budget. He is now running for the state legislature. He has no opponent in the primary but will face an incumbent Democrat in November.

School Board endorsements will follow in a separate post. 

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Re-Elect Susan Lynn

Dear Friends,

Early voting ends today.  Voting today is from 8 am to 1 pm at the County Election Commission in Lebanon - Charlie Daniels Park in Mt. Juliet - and in Gladeville at the Gladeville Community Center. 

Early voting is going great – we are receiving a lot of positive thumbs up – waves – and many people stopping by to talk after their voting.

Election day is this Thursday, August 2nd, I ask for the honor of your vote to return as your representative in the General Assembly.

MORE ATTACK MAILERS

My opponent and the powerful McCall PAC sent out two more mailers this week.  They cover the same issues as the previous mailers. 

VISIT AND SHARE OUR WEBSITE www.susanlynn.net/Mailers.html. 

Please know…

• I voted against the driver’s certificates and I voted to take driver’s licenses away from illegal aliens...more.

• Not only did the Democrat majority never consider me influential enough to convince them to increase the state budget by $10 billion dollars – it did not grow by $10 billion dollars in eight years...more.

• I live in the 57^th District – the new boundaries take effect on General Election night, Nov 6, 2012.  The Election Commission approved me for the ballot...more.

• I have NEVER voted for traffic cameras – Elam did not read the bills before she sent out her mailer – but Linda Elam is why we have them in Mt. Juliet today – she voted for them to be here...more.

• I was very careful to never vote for a tax increase. The bills she cites are local government  tax increases which only the local government and the people can pass – she is trying to blame ME for every local government tax increase in the state...more.

SIGN HOLDER LIT-DROPS
Homes with our sign continue to receive lit-drops of two ugly articles.  They are thrown in the driveway or placed on the mail box and even stuffed in their Tennessean.  A maroon truck with a middle aged man has been spotted. Please try to observe his license plate and or take a photo. To understand the origin of these articles please read  www.susanlynn.net/SBL.html - they were used in the 2010 State Senate race as well.

PROGRESS & GRATITUDE

I continue to knock on doors every day after work (no, I am not actually a professional politician as my opponent has written - I do have a real job) – my team and I will reach 8000 doors today as we spend this last weekend making a final push. 

We have all lost weight and have deep suntans.  Again this year I am filled with tremendous gratitude for my friends who walk the district with me and for you – you have given us bottles of ice cold water during the weeks of 100+ degree weather, asked us into your air conditioned homes to cool off and we’ve had wonderful conversations.  

It is not a good feeling to have someone attempt to tear down your reputation – seven mailers is a lot – but thank you for recalling my conservative record and for reading the proofs on my website above.  Thank you for remembering our conversations, emails and letters. 

In my first Primary someone very wise told me "Susan, you've got to have faith in the voters - they figure things out and if it doesn't ring true they know it."  In the midst of the storm – to go out and knock on doors and talk to you is the best experience I could ever have…thank you.

ENDORSEMENTS AND RATINGS
I am very grateful for the following endorsements and ratings:

• The Tennessee Republican Assembly, The conservative wing of the Republican Party.
• NRA PVF, 'A' Rating from the NRA PVF. 100% Pro-Second Amendment record.
• Tennessee Right to Life,100% Pro-life record.  Pro-life bill sponsor.
• The Nashville Tennessean endorsed me in the race writing: "Susan Lynn was an excellent legislator during her four terms and would improve the debate in the House."

CONTRIBUTIONS
My opponent is being funded by A.J. McCall, his family and his powerful PAC.   They have contributed $25,000 of their own money – spent $11,000 on mailers and they have provided over $7000 to my opponent’s campaign account.

We have one last mailer this week, we are up on cable but we’d like to finish out with some newspaper ads and are in need of about $400 more dollars for these. 

Please contribute what you can at www.susanlynn.net and click donate.
 

PLEASE SHARE OUR WEB SITE
Again; please share our new webpage with your friends who may not know the truth about my opponent’s attacks: www.susanlynn.net/Mailers.html and www.susanlynn.net or this email.

In conclusion, we are doing great. The race is almost over.  I ask for your vote and please ask your friends to get out and vote too.  As always, if I can do anything to help you, please do not hesitate to call.

Sincerely,
Susan Lynn

www.susanlynn.net
susan.lynn@charter.net
615-596-2363

We need good people like Susan Lynn in the State Legislature. Vote and please donate, Rod

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Susan Lynn: we must stand up to thugs and bullies.

I today received the below email from the Susan Lynn campaign today. It looks like things are really heating up in the the 57th. I don't know the current incumbent, but I have always liked Susan Lynn. I think she is a good person and a solid conservative and I would like to see her return to public office.

Dear Friends,

Please listen to WANT 98.9 FM this morning at 7:30 AM - I will be a guest on the Coleman Walker Show.

You know that I always run an honorable campaign - and I will this time as well because integrity matters.  

The attacks of my opponent keep coming - and the usual suspects have aligned as McCall's has joined in the fight and sent out a mailer stating that I do not live in the 57th District - I do live in the 57th District. 

To me this is nothing but evil.  I don't understand this evil but I do spend time in prayer everyday praying that the voters' won't believe what is being distributed.  

Please stand firm - I've heard from people that are displaying my yard sign and they have been called and pressured to remove it - that I know of two people have done so. 

If this is you, thank you for standing firm - we must stand up to thugs and bullies - these are the people that want to run our government!  Do not relent - this behavior is just a microcosm of Washington.

I have written the following articles, if you would read them and send them to your friends.  I am sure it will help. 

State Budget | Elam Mailer | Bustin' the Cap!

Does Susan Lynn Live in the 57h District? Yes!

The Fight to Abolish Illegal Alien Driver's Licens...

Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Susan Lynn

www.susanlynn.net

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Susan Lynn announces re-election plans for District 57 State House seat

MOUNT JULIET, TN— Susan Lynn has officially announced her re-election plans for the House District 57 seat in the August Republican primary.

At a gathering of supporters and friends, Lynn stated, “As your representative, I worked hard every day to help our district. I returned your phone calls, answered your emails and helped you with your state government issues – it was one of the greatest privileges of my life. I hope to continue in the mission of public service on which I embarked when first elected in 2002.”

Lynn has earned a reputation for being a conservative champion of limited government, states’ rights, capitalism, and our constitutional freedoms. She mentioned several examples of her work such as the Regulatory Flexibility Act, Tennessee State Sovereignty Resolution, the Religious Freedom Protection Act and reducing the sales tax on food by a full 1 percent. Lynn stated that she is proud to share her conservative record at www.susanlynn.net.

Lynn continued, “I remain firmly against a state income tax, a firm advocate for 2nd Amendment Rights, and firmly committed to upholding the sanctity of life. I strongly supported education in our state and brought many much needed TDOT projects to our fast growing district including Mt. Juliet Road and Rt 109. The citizens of our district are conservative; I am proud to share my faithful conservative record with them."

Lynn served the 57th district from 2002-2010 in the State House. In 2009 she declared her candidacy for the 17th district State Senate seat after the incumbent senator announced her retirement. Some ten months later when the incumbent reversed that decision, Lynn found herself in an unfortunate primary that she did not want. Lynn did not reach an overall majority of votes but her numbers within the precincts of the 57th district were strong at 58 percent of the vote.

Lynn said, “I was both surprised and honored to receive such a sound endorsement from the people of the district. The voters know me and my faithful commitment to them, and it is the voters that have urged me to seek public office again."

This Session the General Assembly voted on a redistricting plan which takes effect after the November General Election. While Lynn’s residence hasn’t changed, the new district will border her back yard. Upon winning the primary, Lynn and her husband will establish residence within the upcoming legal boundaries before the general election.

Lynn wrapped up her remarks by stating “I ask for the honor of your vote which would allow me to serve you again in the Tennessee General Assembly. I truly did my best; working hard to be the most effective, attentive and responsive legislator; that commitment to you will never change. My past service has proven that I have the experience necessary to meet the many needs our area.”

Lynn is the manager of regulatory compliance at Simplicity Creative Group; owned by private investors the company makes over 20,000 products. As representative of the 57th district, Lynn served as the chairman of the House Government Operations Committee, a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee, the House Commerce Committee and the Small Business Sub-Committee. Lynn served as National Chairman of the Commerce Insurance and Economic Development Task Force for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for four years. Lynn is a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet. A resident of Pointe Barton subdivision, Susan is married to Michael, her husband of 30 years. Both their son and his wife are Tech Sergeants in the Tennessee Air Guard, and their daughter and her husband work for Publix Supermarkets in the two Mt. Juliet locations. They also have a three-month-old grandson.

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Tennessee Conservatives Fund makes liberals go nuts!

Dear Friend, Today the Tennessee Conservatives Fund was featured on the front page of The Tennessean and the liberals who read the article online went nuts. I encourage you to read the article and, if you have the stomach for it, the responses. Below is an excerpt. Tea Party In Tennessee Gives Late Boost To Candidates A group of tea party activists from around the state is banding together to try to extend their influence as candidates approach the finish line in next month's elections. A line-up of leaders from several tea party groups, including organizations based in the Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga areas, has endorsed a slate of challengers for state and federal offices. The group also has formed a political action committee, Tennessee Conservatives Fund, and named an outgoing state lawmaker to raise funds for tea party candidates. The activities are meant to give tea party candidates a boost in the waning days of the campaign and lay the foundation for a more active Tennessee tea party movement in future elections. -- more -- Our activities are clearly making a bunch of anti-liberty, big government activists very agitated, and that's exactly as we like it. We are fighting to restore our Constitutional form of government and the eternal principles of liberty. Please make a contribution today to help some remarkable candidates win in Tennessee Sincerely, Rep. Susan Lynn Chairman

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Charles Williamson gets Tennessee Conservatives Fund Endorsement

Charles Williamson for State Rep, District 51

vs. Mike Turner

Old Hickory, TN

www.charleswilliamson.net
Charles Williamson couldn't allow one of Tennessee's most liberal legislators and active Democrat fundraisers another term in office without a fight. Charles is a successful businessman with experience as a geologist and a bison farmer in Goodlettsville. He hopes to lead the effort to stop illegal immigration into Tennessee, supports free market solutions, and the Healthcare Freedom Act. He opposes an income tax and wants more restrictions on property-snatching eminent domain. Support for Charles Williamson is imperative to the defeat of 10-year liberal incumbent Mike Turner who has the same amnesty, healthcare, and big government agenda as Barack Obama and is ready to give away our state's sovereignty. Turner has voted to provide drivers licenses for illegal immigrants and against procedures to verify citizenship status of detainees at correctional facilities. During debate on the Healthcare Freedom Act, Turner called us racists for opposing the Obama agenda. Listen here. Mike Turner would prefer we all lay down and accept whatever the federal government gives us, but Charles Williamson is standing up and fighting for Tennessee.



These great candidates need your help! Please join their campaigns, call from home, or send them money. We will all reap the rewards in November!

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Tennessee Conservatives Fund endorses David Hall

Dear Friend, I am very pleased to announce our most recent endorsement - David Hall for Congress in Tennessee's 5th Congressional District. David Hall surprised the local media and various political pundits with his win in the August 5th Republican primary race for Tennessee's 5th Congressional district in Nashville and parts of Wilson and Cheatham counties. The Tennessee Conservatives Fund has taken an interest in this race in part because David Hall has made this unlikely race competitive through an unrivaled persistence and work ethic in contacting voters directly through door knocking and phone calls. This is the tactic that earned Hall a huge upset against much higher-profile candidates who had the backing of Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee. The Hall campaign reported last week that hundreds of volunteers turned out on Saturday, October 9th and made nearly 15,000 voter contacts, and they plan to do the same this Saturday. In fact those wishing to participate should visit the Davidson County Republican Party Headquarters today at 2416 21st Avenue South in Nashville or contact brianna@davidhallforcongress.com. At 9:00am former Governor Winnfield Dunn will be on hand to announce his endorsement of David hall. In addition to Hall's conservative stance on a number of issues, the TCF has also targeted this race because of Jim Cooper's reckless spending votes over the past two years. Despite the Cooper campaign running laughable television ads flashing piggy banks and claiming Cooper is fiscally conservative, his record shows that he voted for the trillion-dollar healthcare bill, Cash For Clunkers, Cap and Trade, stimulus and for the biggest budget deficit in American history. The budget deficit may be even larger this year but Congressional Democrats have refused to pass a budget for fear of revealing the depth of their spending to the American people. Click here to contribute to David Hall and all of Tennessee's great conservative candidates! Cooper's most contentious vote was in favor of the deeply unpopular Democrat healthcare bill. The NASHVILLE SCENE reported that after Cooper cast his vote for government healthcare he said, "I find much of the bill deeply flawed," but he didn't think it would become law anyway. This and other votes have earned Cooper a failing grade from fiscal watchdog groups like Citizens Against Government Waste, though Cooper can claim support from liberal groups like the ACLU, numerous national unions, and the Hispanic supremacist group La Raza. David Hall is running largely on conservative fiscal policy and simplifying the tax code, with a notable endorsement from renowned economist Arthur Laffer who created the Laffer Curve. He also claims membership to the NRA, Tennessee Christian Chamber of Commerce, and is pro-life. Hall is a general contractor and electrician who has been a small business owner since 1989 and currently owns and operates DavidHallHomes.com. David is strongly supported in his campaign by his wife Michelle and five children, who have tirelessly campaigned throughout the Nashville community. The TCF has endorsed David Hall through use of our selection criteria that limits support to strong conservative candidates who are facing liberal incumbents in a race widely supported by Tea Parties and liberty groups. I urge you to take action this weekend to help rid us of lying Jim Cooper and replace him with a true fiscal conservative. Visit the Davidson County Republican Headquarters starting at 9am Saturday to phone bank or go door to door. Contact brianna@davidhallforcongress.com to volunteer. Make a contribution to the David Hall campaign.

Sincerely, Rep. Susan Lynn Chairman

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Make a Difference Where you are

On Saturday I attended the convention of the Tennessee Republican Assembly. TRA is part of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies, which calls itself, “The Republican Wing of the Republican Party.”

About fifty people were in attendance at the convention. We networked, and socialized and ate. We heard an address from State Representative Susan Lynn on the State Sovereignty movement. Bobbie Patray of Tennessee Eagle Forum was given an award and honored for her many years of service as a lobbyist with Eagle Forum. A panel consisting of several local activists talked about the future of the Republican Party in Tennessee and the conservative movement.

One of the speakers on the panel was Ken Marrano. Ken is a tireless local political activist. He has been an organizer of the local Tea party movement, he is the organizer of the statewide association of right-of-center bloggers called TennconserVOliance, and he had received national attention for his political organizing and was on the road as part of the national Tea Party Express.

Ken said something at the meeting which I thought was so very, very wise. He said that we conservatives could make a much greater impact on the direction of our country if we focused our attention locally. Looking at his website tonight, Blue Collar Muse, I saw where he addressed this same topic in a blog post. Please read his post. Here is an excerpt:

Let’s assume 1,000,000 people marched on Washington, DC last September spending 48-72 hours and $500 each to do so. Simple math reveals a pool of 48,000,000 to 72,000,000 man hours and a whopping $500,000,000 in cash. That’s enough to put 1 to 1.5 million man hours into phone banking, envelope stuffing, and door knocking to go along with $10,000,000.00 in giving to candidates in each state in the Union!

I could not agree more. In my view, we conservatives squander a lot of our resource by focusing on Washington rather than the courthouse and the statehouse. I run into people all the time who have gone to one of the marches on Washington or to the CPAC convention or who send money to major causes funneled though large national organization. I also run into people who listen to the Rush Limbaugh or Glen Beck on a regular bases and stay riled up but never put that emotion into action.

I think staying motivated and informed is worthwhile. I am sure going off to national conventions is fun and I am sure a march on Washington is a rush; but, does it change much? To affect the direction of our nation, one can do more where one is rather than focusing elsewhere.

The Davidson County Republican Party is committed to being a competitive party in this county. People are needed to man the phone banks and conduct voter registration drives, and work the polls. There is a lot of work to do. One has a greater chance to change the direction of the country by changing it from the bottom up than from the top down. Your voice is a lot louder in your local community than it is in Washington.

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