David Hall won the Republican primary for the 5th Congressional Distinct seat! I am speechless. I didn't see it coming. David Hall told us he was going to win and I didn't believe it.
Congratulations David. I hope you can go on and beat Jim Cooper.
Beth is a hardworking common sense conservative.
For a little over the past year, I have been a volunteer with the Party and have helped organize the Republican clubs across the county which have hosted the "Egg and Bacon summits." In this position, I have gotten to know the Chairman of the Party and many members of the Executive Committee. These people work hard to promote the Party's interest and it is often a thankless job. They are all volunteers and serve without pay in a job that brings little recognition.
I have probably worked closer with Beth Campbell than anyone else in the Party. No one in the Party works harder than Beth Campbell. Beth is energetic, enthusiastic, hardworking, tireless and effective. Beth knows everyone and seems to have friends in the camps of all of the gubernatorial candidates and in all the offices of our elected Republican office holders and knows who's who in Republican circles across the state. Beth knows how to get things done. Beth is diplomatic, is a peace-maker and a voice of calm in a time of crisis.
I admire and respect Beth's opponent, and think she would make a find candidate for Metro Council or some other elected position and hope she seeks another position at some point in the future. However, it would be a shame to replace someone as effective as Beth Campbell on the Executive Committee. Beth deserves to be re-elected.
What is the SEC?
The Republican State Executive Committee is made up of 66 members. Voters elect a male and female from each State Senate District who will serve a 4-year term. These SEC members are the primary board of the Tennessee Republican Party. The duties of this board are to elect a Chairman and set the budget for the Tennessee Republican Party. All members serve on various committees within the TRP.
Political Activities
* SEC Committeewoman District 21 - 2006 to present
* Member – TRP Candidate Recruitment Committee
* Tennessee Victory '08 - Volunteer office manager
* Woman for McCain Palin, Middle TN Chair 2008
* Bush/Cheney 04 – TN County Coordinator
* Member – Davidson County Republican Party Executive Committee
* Member – Nashville Republican Women
Personal
* Member- Covenant Presbyterian Church
* Family – Husband, Bill Campbell, retired Headmaster
From Wes Hartline:
Our campaign did not pay anything for the Minuteman Project endorsement. We made no contributions nor were we contacted before the endorsement other than being asked to send our website, blog and policy positions to the Project.
I would appreciate an amended blog post on that, Rod. If left as is, it appears to the casual reader that we had to pay for an endorsement, and that is completely false.
Comment: I have not alleged that the Hartline campaign paid for the Minuteman Project endorsement and the Hartline campaign is not alleging that I made that charge. I have not searched the Hartline financial disclosures to see if they have paid a consulting fee to Election Impact Group or any other firm associated with Jim Gilchrist. I believe Jeff Hartline to be an honorable person and I am accepting his statement at face value. I am pleased to post the above message from the Hartline campaign.
I did post as written the press release from the Hartline campaign in which they announced their endorsement from the Minuteman Project. In a separate post, I posted a link from Politico that tells of serious and credible allegations that the Minuteman Project endorsement was for sale. If you have not read that article please do.
While I have absolutely no reason to believe and don't believe the Hartline campaign paid for the Minuteman Project endorsement, if I was a candidate for Congress and received the Minuteman Project endorsement, instead of bragging about it, I think I would keep it a secret.
Dear Rod,
Thank you for your inquiry. I have been in touch with the appropriate authority on this matter, which is the FEC person responsible for Tennessee, who has been understanding about extenuating circumstances--as I thought you might be. I was in an automobile accident and have been under treatment and in physical therapy for about six weeks, which has severely curtailed my originally planned campaign activities, has required a medical leave of absence from work, and has caused me considerable hardship.
There has been nothing remotely willful about my difficulty in keeping current, not only in relation to the campaign, but in my own business and personal matters as well. I do not have a staff. It all has been compounded by my Treasurer having to be out of town for a period of time, and my own lack of knowledge of procedure to get anything done about the filing in his absence. All of it together has been a source of considerable stress, and I have been working non-stop to catch up every minute I can.
My Treasurer is back and our filing is taking place within a few days, as I have discussed with the FEC. In the meantime, there is no deep mystery about my campaign financial status, which you'll see when we perfect the filing. As I told Jeff Hartline publicly on my blog a week or two ago, I raised a total of about $35,000.00, and contributed about $7,000.00 in addition to that from my family savings, for a total of about $42,000.00. I have had no corporate contributions at all.
Because of my appreciation for all you do, and for your friendship, wisdom, and energetic industry in working to keep all candidates on a level playing field, I will be happy to deliver a copy of my filing to you personally if you like.
Please post this to your blog, and I will post it, along with your inquiry, to mine.
Thanks.
Vijay
Comment: This right-wing nut-job Republican is doing all he can do to help Eric Crafton. I worked the polls for half a day at the Hermitage Library early voting site on Friday and Saturday and am working August 5th and worked the phone banks Monday and Tuesday. Where are the rest of you? Eric needs volunteers to work the phone bank tonight. Please sign up now by clicking this link: I am also a right-wing nut-job and I want to help Eric. Or, just show up at the State Party headquarters at 5Pm at tonight (Wednesday) 2424 21st Avenue, Suite 200.
From Eric Crafton
Dear Friends:
They are coming after me and coming after you!
Liberal activist State Democratic Party Chairman, Chip Forrester told The City Paper on Thursday that he feels, “because Davidson County is an extremely important Democratic bastion, the state party, as well as the local party, has a strong interest in ensuring that Eric Crafton is defeated next week”, because ”we see the potential of Eric Crafton, who is a right-wing, nut-job Republican, using this [seat] as a stepping stone for higher office.”
Unfortunately, Davidson County’s Juvenile Court clerk race has been turned decidedly ugly and hurtful by liberal activist Tennessee Democratic Party chairman, Chip Forrester when he said his party is “fully engaged” to defeat Crafton, a “right-wing, nut-job Republican.”
I have tried to make this campaign about competence, not partisan politics. If politics is taken out of the mix, I am clearly the most qualified candidate and the “Chip Forresters of the world” know it. That’s why they’ve stooped to calling all Republicans “right-wing, nut jobs”!
Obviously, as it was so clearly stated above, the activist wing of the democratic party understands the importance of my bid to become Nashville’s Juvenile Court Clerk, and they are doing everything they can to stop me. The question is “are we going to let them?”
If you are ready for Republican leadership at the local level, please help me win this race by doing one or all of the following:
1. Forward this email to a friend.
2. Take someone to the polls with you when you vote. Early Voting ends Saturday at 4 pm. Election day is Thursday, August 5th.
3. Help us at 5:30p – 8p this Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday at State Party Headquarters with our phone bank. Please respond to this email to let us know you will be helping and we’ll send you directions to headquarters.
In an unprecedented move, Republicans have slightly outvoted Democrats throughout early voting. We can win this race, but to do so, we must run the race all the way through to the finish line. WON’T YOU PLEASE HELP ME?
Sincerely,
Eric Crafton
Vijay Kumar has not yet filed a campaign financial disclosure report. He has advertising in the Tennessean. He has billboards. He has radio advertisements and television advertising. I would be surprised if he has spent less than $20,000. Who knows? Maybe he has spent $100,000.
I called the Federal Election Commission today to make sure that the FEC had not simply failed to post the summary of his report on their website. I talked to a nice man named Chris. No, Vijay Kumar has not filed the required report.
Even if a candidate self-finances his campaign he is still required to file a report. Had it not been for Jeff Hartline's filing a report, he could have avoided the controversy about paying himself a salary. David Hall could have avoided controversy about accepting corporate contributions if he had not had to file.
Who is financing Vijay Kumar's campaign? Where did the money come from and how was it spent. We have a right to know. I am contemplating filing a formal complaint with the Federal Election Commission.
Vijay, please explain. Why have you not filed a report? Who is financing your campaign?
By BEN SMITH, 5/26/10, Politico- To win the endorsement of the Minuteman Project and its founder, Jim Gilchrist, you need to believe in federal troop deployments to stop illegal immigrants from entering the U.S. and stepped-up deportations of those who do.
You may also need to pay several thousand dollars, according to documents from three Republican campaigns that sought Gilchrist’s endorsement. Read more
NASHVILLE, August 3, 2010, press realease from Hartline for Congress – Congressional candidate Jeff Hartline has received the endorsement of one of America’s foremost leaders in the fight to stop illegal immigration.
Jim Gilchrist, Founder and President of the Minuteman Project (www.minutemanproject.com), the nation's leading grassroots activist organization on the issue of immigration reform and border security, announced today that the organization is endorsing Hartline in the congressional race in Tennessee’s 5th District.
Gilchrist cited Hartline’s strong stances on securing our borders, denying illegals any form of amnesty, and cracking down on taxpayer-funded benefits that attract illegals to the United States. Hartline is a “real leader” who, as a member of Congress, “will ensure that Congress actually enforce current immigration laws to protect the jobs of Americans and the dollars of taxpayers,” Gilchrist said.
The Hartline campaign welcomed the endorsement. “Jim Gilchrist and the Minuteman Project are at the forefront of the fight to stop illegal immigration, and as a member of Congress I will work with them and other like-minded Americans to make the federal government enforce our nation’s immigration laws and secure our borders, and to stop any attempt to grant amnesty.”
“For too long law abiding Americans have grown tired of watching the political establishment lack the will to enforce our nation's laws when it comes to border security and immigration policy,” Gilchrist said. He urged voters to send Hartline to Congress “to demand the Federal Government enforce our laws and secure our borders” so that America can “begin to end the chaos of illegal immigration.”
Jim Gilchrist founded the multi-ethnic Minuteman Project on Oct. 1, 2004, after years of frustrated efforts trying to get a neglectful U.S. government to simply enforce existing immigration laws. Called “the world’s largest neighborhood watch”, their volunteer members aid efforts of the US Border Patrol by watching for illegal activity along the US-Mexican border.
August 2, 2010, Press release from Bob Schwartz, Republican candidate for 5th Congressional District
Today I encourage voters of Tennessee to join me in support of Bill Haslam for Governor.
Bill Haslam has the temperament and the experience that Tennessee needs at this critical time. The State’s budget constraints are serious now and may well become more difficult in 2011. Tennessee needs a Governor who has a strong track record of leading organizations in tough times.
I first met Mayor Haslam during the 2008 Presidential campaign. He showed a respect for those around him and a willingness to listen and learn. His track record in both the private sector and as a tax-lowering, pro-business Mayor make it clear to me that he has what it takes to turn conservative principles into practical solutions.
Both of the Mayor’s primary opponents are excellent, conservative Republicans. Either of them would make a fine governor! In my opinion, though, Bill Haslam is the strongest choice to lead the State of Tennessee. Bill Haslam for Governor! ONWARD!
Press Release from David Hall for Congress
August 2, 2010
Nashville, TN: After the 2008 Presidential elections, many experts predicted a truly unique 2010 election cycle. Evidence is mounting for these predictions to come true here in Davidson County politics. Present in the Republican Gubernatorial Primary is endless drama with money pouring in, not to mention the Republican support of Jeff Yarbro, a truly progressive challenger to Doug Henry, justified by traditional Republicans who claim that he is unable to win against their Republican nominee. Then of course you have the Juvenile Court Clerk hopeful, David Smith, who started his campaign a solid 30 months before Election Day, but the Republicans’ Eric Crafton is forging a close battle to the finish. Finally you have the Republican 5th Congressional District Primary drawing national support from Sarah Palin’s endorsement of CeCe Heil, followed by a vaguely explained endorsement from local Democrat State Rep Ben West Jr that has Democrats outraged and Republicans confused. Below is list of poll results released by David Hall, a Candidate for Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District, stratified by AHC Group, a local media consulting firm.
Republican Primary Races
333 Total Registered Voters, Who’ve Already Voted In The Republican Primary
Gubernatorial Primary
Bill Haslam - 50.15%
Ron Ramsey - 29.9%
Zach Wamp – 19.95%
A surprising fact discovered - Voter exit data shows that 1/6 of all 2010 Republican Primary Voters have voted strictly Democrat in past primaries. When questioned the most common reason given is that the Democratic Primary doesn’t offer enough competition.
5th Congressional Primary
David Hall - 29%
Jeff Hartline - 23%
CeCe Heil - 23%
Bob Schwartz - 5%
Vijay Kumar - 3%
Patrick Miranda - 3%
Lonnie Spivak - 3%
Other - 11%
Voter exit polling shows that David’s $200,000 in voter contact has put his campaign a full 6% above his closest competitors.
Democratic Primary Races
126 Total Registered Voters, Who’ve Already Voted In The Democratic Primary
5th Congressional Primary
Jim Cooper - 87%
Eric Pearson -7%
\Eric Schecter - 6%
Nothing too surprising here, Jim Cooper, the Democratic incumbent is favored to win by a landslide.
State Senate District 21
Doug Henry - 36%
Jeff Yarbro - 64%
A rather difficult race to understand but the anti-incumbent fever seems to be affecting long time Senator Doug Henry as the new blood candidate, Jeff Yarbro, is beginning to break-away.
Davidson County General Election
294 Total Registered Voters, Who’ve Already Voted In The County General
Juvenile Court Clerk
Eric Crafton - 49.65%
David Smith – 50.35%
The fact that Eric Crafton is a Republican doesn’t seem to be helping him as 1/6 of the Republican vote is made up of previously Democratic voters who tend to vote accordingly in the county general. However, this race is clearly too close to call.
Criminal Court Clerk
David Torrence - 72%
David Baxter - 28%
Criminal Court Clerk David Torrence’s positive name recognition should be enough to carry him through the county general quite comfortably.
Davidson County has been a Democratic strong hold for decades, 2010 however provides fertile ground for grass-roots Republican victories.
Wilson County Republican Primary
17th State Senate Primary
Mae Beavers- 37%
Gordon Borck- 12%
Susan Lynn - 51%
Another heated contest shows Lynn with a strong lead.
Keaton Myers - Spokesperson
David Hall for Congress
Comment:
The highlighting in the above press release is mine.
I am taking this press release with a big grain of salt. A search for "AHC Group" reveals a major consulting firm headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York. In Nashville there is the American Harmonica Club and an AHC records which is a music label, and American Health Consultants. The only AHC that could be a local media consulting firm was The AHC Group which has a very sparse web page.
The AHC Group is described as "a premier outbound data collection firm providing a full range of quality services through its modern facilities located in the heart of Nashville, TN. The AHC Group combines dynamic, experienced and professional staff with advanced data management and information technologies. This means that The AHC Group can provide clients with a strategic edge by setting industry standards in unrivaled service and customized market research data collection."
The address is not give, no list of client, and no other information. Is this the AHC referred to in the press release above?
My Predictions for the 5th.
I am going to go way out on a limb and give you my gut-feeling, unscientific prediction for the fifth:
Cece Heil 34%
Jeff Hatline 32%
Bob Schwartz 12%
David hall 9%
Lonnie Spivak 6%
The remaining five split the other 7 percent.
If David Hall wins this race and gets 29% of the vote I will be very surprised. If he is the nominee, I will work to help him get elected, but I am just not believing it.
No one should be influenced by my prediction. It is just a WAG. However, I will bet someone lunch that my predictions are closer than those listed in the David Hall press release.
What do you think?
August 2, 2010, Press Release Cece for Congress.
CeCe Heil's campaign brings in top local endorsements to add to her already impressive slate of National endorsements by Sarah Palin, CWA, FRC, and CWF just to name a few.
"I am so proud to have the local support from State Rep. Ben West Jr.,and his wife Phyllis, The 912 Project, Professor Carol M. Swain Ph.D.,Buford Tune, and Ricky Skaggs." - CeCe Heil
"We proudly support our friend CeCe Heil, who is running in the Primary for 5th District Congressional Seat.
We are of the opinion that this country has been heading in the wrong direction and that our voices have not been heard by our current representation regarding Congressional legislation. After looking at all the candidates in this race, it became abundantly clear that CeCe has the leadership skills and the moral character needed today to be a leader in this country. She is a strong Constitutional Conservative and successful business owner, a devoted wife, mother and Christian. She believes in smaller government and lower taxes to boost this failing economy, so more people can be put on the payroll, rather than on unemployment rolls. She is opposed to ObamaCare and government take over of private industry, and so are we.
CeCe's most important attribute is that she wants input from her constituents. She believes firmly in the concept of "WE THE PEOPLE" running this country. Most importantly, we believe she has the ability to debate the issues with knowledge and intelligence, bring respect back to DC and garner the support to beat the incumbent."
"I am endorsing CeCe Heil for the 5th Congressional district. CeCe has a unique skill set and a teachable spirit. She is an accomplished attorney and a strong Christian woman who is willing to take and apply the advice she is given. I believe she will attract cross-over support from Democratic voters. Let's get behind CeCe with votes & dollars
"I want to encourage you to go out and vote for CeCe Heil for congress in the 5th District. She is the candidate with the experience and courage to take on BIG government in Washington. CeCe is a woman led by her faith and convictions and has what it takes to get this country back on track. As a small business owner, attorney and constitutional scholar, she will fight tirelessly to protect our God-given freedoms. Please join me in supporting CeCe Heil for congress. Now more than ever we need CeCe to be our voice on Capitol Hill.
Guy goes into a bar, there's a robot bartender.
The robot says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini."
The robot brings back the best martini ever and says to the man, "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "168."
The robot then proceeds to talk about physics, space exploration and Medical technology.
The guy leaves, but he is curious...
So he goes back into the bar.
The robot bartender says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini."
Again, the robot makes a great martini gives it to the man and says,
"What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "100."
The robot then starts to talk about Nascar, Budweiser and John Deere Tractors.
The guy leaves, but finds it very interesting, so he thinks he will try It one more time.
He goes back into the bar.
The robot says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini," and the robot brings him another great Martini.
The robot then says, "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "Uh, about 60."
The robot leans in real close and says,
So, you people still happy you voted for Obama?"
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