Candidates In Contested Races In Williamson County Given Opportunity To Debate
Image Credit: Williamson County Television / YouTube
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
The Williamson County Republican Party sponsored the Tennessee House Williamson County Joint Debate that was held on July 12th, 2022. The debate featured candidates running for state house in districts 61, 63, and 92 which are all contested races. Cherie Hammond, treasurer of the Williamson County Republican Party acted as moderator.
Derby Jones of the Williamson Herald, and Tom Lawrence of WKAM radio made up the media panel and directed questions to the candidates who were not given the questions ahead of time. Creed Henderson of WCTV recorded the debate which was later shown on Williamson County television Channel 3.
Candidates in attendance were Gino Bulso and Bob Ravener for District 61; Laurie Cardoza-Moore and James Sloan for District 63 (Jake McCalmon was unable to attend due to a family issue); and Representative Todd Warner, Matt Fitterer, and Jeff Ford for District 92.
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The first question directed to candidates was related to the recent comments that Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn made about Tennessee teachers and whether the college should be allowed to operate charter schools specifically in Williamson County.
The candidates almost all expressed they believed that Arnn’s comments were inappropriate and disgraceful, some of them were equally disappointed with Governor Lee’s inaction during those comments. Only Bulso made mention of Lee’s “wonderful” work regarding Educational Savings Accounts, the new funding formula for schools (TISA) and bringing charter schools to the state.
Opinions were more varied on whether Williamson County should welcome charter schools. Ravener and Warner stated that none were needed in the county. Moore and Sloan said that parents should decide. Fitterer said Hillsdale should not be allowed in. Ford pointed out that local school districts are the ones to make those decisions, while Bulso said there has been too much “canceling” and Hillsdale shouldn’t be disqualified based on one individual.
The second question was unexpected and direct. The candidates were asked if they were currently “packing” and their reasons for doing so or abstaining. None were carrying a weapon on them at that moment due to the facility prohibiting it and the county Sheriff being in attendance but all respected the second amendment and most admitted to usually carrying at other times.
The third question was also related to firearms and asked if 18- to 21-year-olds should be allowed to carry without permits or background checks. All candidates said that background checks were necessary, with Sloan saying that he would like to see a mechanism flagging young people who have had run-ins with the juvenile justice system though he was careful not to call for red flag laws.
The fourth question had to do with the Tennessee National Guard and if guard members should be dismissed for not receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. All candidates agreed that no one should be forced to comply and that religious exemptions should be honored. Bulso was adamant that the 10th amendment provides what Tennessee needs to stop federal overreach in this area.
The candidates were then asked where their money for their campaigns came from. Most were quick to say that they were not beholden to PACs or special interest groups. Most candidates said they were self funded with donations coming from friends, family, and voters. Ravener stated that less than 20% of his donations came from outside his county whereas his opponent, Bulso, had received 50% of donations that were out-of-county. Ravener also claimed that he had raised half a million less in special interest and lobbyist money than Bulso. Interestingly, Bulso claimed to be beholden to “no-one but the people.”
The candidates were also asked if they would support similar economic development projects to the new Titans Stadium, if they would oppose tax increases, and whose calls they would give priority to if elected (the Speaker of the House or Governor vs the people) as well as six other “lightning round” questions.
The entire debate can be viewed below. Note: You may need to back the video up to watch from the beginning.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Gino Bulso is the conservative choice for District 61 as his answers to the questions demonstrates. Indeed, Mr. Ravener’s hostility to even charter schools and his endorsements from a laundry list of who’s who of the Williamson County centrist/tepid conservative establishment should seal the deal for conservatives to vote for Gino. For District 63 there is no one who has been more involved in the fight against leftist domination of our schools than Laurie Cardoza-Moore. She will make a great conservative voice in the state House.