Image Credit: Courtney Roberts Durrett / Facebook, Sunsphere Observation Deck/Facebook & Canva
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After the Knox County Republican Party requested Knox County District Attorney General (DA) Charme Allen investigate a Democrat County Commissioner who made a video touting her vote in the current Republican primary election, the DA has asked for an independent review to avoid the appearance of political machinations.
Democrat Knox County Commissioner Courtney Durrett openly admitted to breaking Tennessee law by voting in a Republican primary election and encouraging others to do the same in a video posted to social media last week.
“This was the only way I would have a say in my county Sheriff and my county clerk. Both of those seats do not have a Democratic candidate, so when this Republican primary is over, and we narrow it down to one person for each of those seats, that’s it, they will be the only person for that election. So really, this Republican primary is where those two seats are chosen,” Durrett said.
“I wanted to ensure that if my Democratic candidates did not win, that the Republican candidate who would take office will work across the aisle and work for all Knox County, not just members of the Republican party. There are candidates who are actively saying right now that they have zero interest in working with Democrats. Refusing to work with people who have differing viewpoints than you is not leadership, that’s performance for a base. We need to ensure that both candidates who show up on the general election ballot in August are there to represent everyone, not just those that view things the same way,” she elaborated.
In response, the Knox County Republican Party sent a letter requesting DA Allen pursue criminal charges against Durrett, outlining several sections of Tennessee law the Democrat elected official potentially violated.
“Participation in a political party’s primary is limited to voters who are bona fide members of that party or who intend to affiliate with that party. The Party asserts that this statute restricts participation in Republican primaries to Republican voters. The Party further states that encouraging individuals who do not meet these criteria to vote in a Republican primary constitutes solicitation of unlawful conduct…Democrats have been unable to find candidates to run in their own primaries, and this is an intentional effort by Democratic officeholders to influence the outcome of the Republican primary,” the release reads in part.
District Attorney Allen is now asking the Executive Director of the District Attorney’s General Conference to appoint a District Attorney Pro Tem to review the complaint and “make any prosecutorial decisions independently of this Office.”
Allen stated her request for an independent review of the case is intended keep people from questioning whether the decision was politically motivated as she is a member of the Republican Party and to avoid any “appearance of a conflict of interest” while “maintaining public confidence in the impartial administration of justice.”
According to Allen, an independent reviewer will best be equipped to assess the information and determine if prosecution is legal or appropriate.
“This referral should not be interpreted as a conclusion that criminal conduct either did or did not occur. Rather, it reflects the principle that public trust is best served when politically sensitive matters involving organizations with which the elected District Attorney has an affiliation are reviewed by a neutral and detached authority,” Allen said.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
