Image Credit: @williamsontngop / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
Williamson County GOP (WCGOP) has sent out notice that they will be holding a convention to caucus and elect a nominee to be presented on the ballot for those who live in District 10, so voters can choose their district representative on the Williamson County Commission.
The seat was left vacant after D10 Commissioner David Landrum resigned from his position after moving out of the district.
The WCGOP explained in their newsletter, “Since this resignation occurred after the deadline to be on the current ballot, the Election Commission has requested that each party nominate a candidate. This candidate will then go on the ballot during the November 5, 2024 general election.”
The Tennessee Conservative reported earlier this month, in what some critics called an “unmitigated power grab” most of the Williamson County Commission voted to install ousted Williamson County GOP Chair Cheryl Brown into the vacated District 10 seat.
The appointment was made despite several appeals from county residents that the commission defer the vote until a nominee of the people’s choosing could be established and submitted.
In that meeting, several county residents both Democrat and Republican, expressly requested that the commission defer the appointment of anyone to the recently vacated District 10 seat, since there was a public notice from the Williamson County elections commission that there would be an open election for the seat in November.
Also in that meeting, Elliott Franklin who serves on the Executive Committee, who encouraged the commission to hold off, delivered the following remarks:
“On behalf of the Williamson County Republican Party County Executive Committee, I am here tonight to request that you defer the appointment of a D10 commissioner. This request is based on the precedent set with the D7 vacancy in 2022 as well as the recent sheriff vacancy. In order to meet the August 15th nominee deadline, our chair, Dr. Tracy Miller and the rest of the board were unable to be here tonight as they are conducting our board meeting to ensure that we meet this requirement and comply with the TNGOP bylaws.
The problem, as the WCRP perceives it, is that when you, as a political body, “defer,” it suggests that you somehow lack the support for a candidate who is being “expedited” or “temporarily placed” into a vacated position.
This assumption may be false.
However, a procedural appointment can be interpreted as a situation where we cannot entrust our constituents.
Fortunately, in Williamson County, we can.
When we ask to hold a convention, it is to give our candidates the full weight of the Republican (R) behind their names. We want to be able to say that they went against all challengers and were fairly elected to this position. In addition, we understand that this will come at considerable cost. But it is worth it.
The County Commission should rely on democratic process and not upon bureaucratic procedures.”
Despite the pleas from the people of Williamson County, Brown was sworn in by Mayor Anderson and was empowered to make decisions on behalf of D10, without a single ballot being cast.
Finally, this week, the WCGOP made the announcement and set the criteria for anyone who not only wishes to attend and vote, but also for anyone who would like to pull their own petition and make a run for the nomination.
“Anyone who wishes to submit themselves as a nominee for the County Commission, District 10, must be a bonafide Republican, having voted in three-out-of-four Statewide Primaries (August of 2020, August 2022, March 2024, August 2024), must be active in the Party, and must reside and be registered within District 10. In addition candidates must submit a written request listing their name, address, all contact information, explaining their desire to run for the seat, as well as any other pertinent information, to the Party Chairman, Tracy@williamsongop.org.”
The deadline to file as a nominee is August 6th.
The rules for participants include, “that only bonafide Republicans having voted in at least three-out-of-four Statewide Primaries (August of 2020, August 2022, March 2024, August 2024), active in the Party, and who reside and are registered within District 10, may participate.”
The event will take place on Tuesday, August 13th, doors opening at 4:45 and closing at 5:45, at The Cool Springs Marriott, 700 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin TN.
Those who qualify and wish to participate, can find registration opportunities at this link. Alternatively, qualified parties can use the QR code (below), either of which can be used to verify eligibility of participation.
Once a nominee is chosen by the party, that person will be featured on the Republican ballot for the November 5th election.
Should Brown decide to pull a petition, she would be able to run as an incumbent, giving her an advantage over anyone who would choose to run against her, even though she has only held the seat for less than a month.
WCGOP encourages all D10 residents who meet the criteria to attend and even some to consider stepping up to run, and serve their community in this capacity.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is an 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. An outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty, Kelly also has a YouTube channel @Tennessee_Truth_Teller and is planning on expanding out to other channels soon. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
Thanks to Kelly and TCN. You’re the only conservative news in Williamson County.