Image Credit: Kelly M. Jackson & Williamson County GOP
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
In a ballroom at the Franklin Cool Springs Marriott about 400 people gathered for The Reagan Day Gala, a fundraiser for the Williamson County GOP.
The biggest fundraiser of the year took place on Saturday January 6th, at 7pm, with a VIP meet and greet just before from 5:30-6:30 with all guest speakers, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Mark Green, Congressman Andy Ogles, and the featured guest speaker, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
The evening began with a welcome from the new GOP Chair, Tracy Miller, which was followed by an opening prayer by Pastor Tommy Vallejos, a prison minster with the ministry Men of Valor.
A presentation of the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Congressman Green, and a rendition of The National Anthem sung by Craig Wayne Boyd, winner of Season 7 on NBC’s The Voice.
During dinner, the guests were entertained by Nashville songwriters who sung some of their biggest hits that were recorded by such artists as Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, and Kid Rock.
The main event however were the speakers, Congressmen Andy Ogles (R-D5) and Congressman Mark Green (R-D7), both conveying a renewed commitment to fight for conservative principles and serve as a mechanism for accountability for the Biden Administration and all associated bad actors.
Specifically, Congressman Green spoke about his recent and ongoing efforts, as the Chair of Homeland Security Committee, to impeach the current Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas for failure to protect America’s southern border from what has been described as an “invasion”, resulting in several million border crossers since Biden took office in 2021.
Senator Marsha Blackburn then took the podium to cover the issues of the economy and how it has suffered under what Senator Blackburn referred to as “Bidenomics”, and how those policies hurt everyday Americans.
She then remarked about her continuing efforts to reveal the flight logs for serial pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and that she will not relent until all the information is uncovered and exposed to all Americans.
Finally, the anticipated Keynote speaker, Senator Ted Cruz from Texas took the stage, speaking to the crowd for around 25 minutes, expressing an appreciation for all Tennesseans and the “warrior spirit” of the leaders the state sent to fight for the freedoms we all see being usurped day after day by the current regime in Washington DC.
Senator Cruz also made special mention that he is glad the Supreme Court has taken up the “Colorado case” and said he believes that the Supreme Court “will reverse that case, and I think there is a good chance they will do so unanimously”. This comment being in reference to the state of Colorado attempting to remove President Donald Trump from their ballot in the 2024 Primary and general elections.
Senator Cruz also hung around for an additional 30 minutes to greet people who had not been able to attend the VIP meet and greet, shake hands and take some photos before leaving.
All in all, the evening culminated in an incredibly successful event, and an objectively enjoyable time was had by all who attended.
There were no specific numbers available upon the writing of this story, however some comments were made by WCGOP Chair Tracy Miller, at the end of the evening who said, “Since taking over, they doubled the WCRP’s revenues. Comparing the same periods before this new committee, and after we took over, there has been triple the rate of new and renewed memberships. Even this event tonight has grown in size and scope. And all this, all of this, was in their first year, during a period of transition—where a great many people hedged their bets, sat back and watched, waiting to see if this committee would raise the stakes or fold. Well, as the theme tonight indicates, “The future does not belong to the fainthearted, it belongs to the brave.” And, speaking as a native Tennessean, I have never met a more courageous group of volunteers.””
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
5 Responses
Indeed, this illustrates what the Republican Party can become when energetic conservatives control and the Party stands for something other than the maximation of profit for members of the Chamber of Commerce and Business Round Table.
Now all we Williamson County Republicans have to do is vote for conservative Angela Beaton (Dist 7) and Darlynne Jordan (9) for school board in the Republican primary on March 5th and find a conservative candidate to run to fill the District 65 State House seat being vacated by worthless Sam Whitson and we’ve got it knocked.
Perhaps with the bastardization of the label “conservative” by the RINOs, “MAGA Conservative” would be more appropriate?
“about 400 people” … not record breaking … accuracy matters … good event but far from record breaking.
If those who are now GOP officers in Williamson County had not been so ugly and divisive the party would be stronger. Didn’t have to be like that, even if running for party office.
More members because so many participated in the county GOP election.
Ted Cruz chose to not support President Trump in 2016 election and there was NO way I would attend a fundraiser featuring him. He was nasty when support mattered.
So TN Conservative, “those who are now GOP officers in Williamson County” were “ugly and divisive” while Ted Cruz “was nasty”. Apparently you are one very sensitive individual TC.
Sensitive? NOPE … didn’t upset me or hurt my feelings … just facts on how they acted.
Well documented how Ted Cruz acted at the convention, despite his promises to move toward unity and beating Hillary/Dems. Do you really not remember?
The incoming officers of Williamson County made very personal attacks and, in some cases are still doing so on social media against former leadership. And because of their divisiveness the dinner was NOT “record” breaking by far.
I hope the current officers learn that to lead the Republican Party they need to build bridges, not burn them, and they need to increase the party’s reach not reduce the party’s reach to a narrow few or they will make it harder for Republicans to win elections in Williamson County. Did they really think the Republican Party would be successful if it only represented a part of the Republican Party?
And I will never forget one of the gossiping attackers make fun of and mimicking a former party leader’s speech patterns … disgusting racism on display … calling others “common” while engaging in such vicious gossip … we need to focus on beating Democrats and their far leftist policies, not tearing down fellow Republicans in the way we have seen too many do in Williamson County circles.
What is interesting to watch is the new leadership trying to do what they must of thought was easy and getting some of the same pushback from the same people in the conservative community of Williamson County that gave the former leadership such a hard time. Now, they are the “insiders” and the “establishment” and are learning its not as easy as they thought it would be.
This is happening in several counties. People came in to the officer election meetings who aren’t usually involved and didn’t stay involved. The new leadership’s coalitions are weakened because they were not elected by those who are regularly involved but were elected by some who are not willing to actually do the hard work and be “regulars” of the Republican Party. Some who were involved in the officer elections in some counties did not have the best interests of the county party’s in their hearts when they voted and are known to be actively anti Republican Party or at least disinterested in growing the Republican Party.
Another very interesting aspect of the county party elections was whose side some elected politicians took … and now their own reelection campaigns will be harder because the county parties have been weakened.
Its often refreshing to see new leadership … but how “new” is the Williamson County leadership? and its only refreshing when people work together collegially and professionally to build on what has gone before them, not when they come into office and try to erase previous leadership from snobbery &/or personal animus. Learn from and build on previous leadership, gain from their advice and experience!
It was really sad to see the divisiveness and the way the attacks were so personal rather than focusing on the issues. They will learn or they will fail. Time will tell.
Anyway, curious as to why the attendance was reported as “record” crowd? To promote the new leadership? Opinions getting mixed in with reporting? smh