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Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.
Submitted by Don Beehler –
Many of the 2026 elections in Tennessee are expected to be highly competitive, especially where grassroots candidates are pitted against establishment players. And that may mean a host of deceptive political tricks.
Counties across the state should be on the lookout for what Williamson County is already experiencing –- an organized and well-funded effort to smear the character and good performance of conservative grassroots candidates.
The stakes are particularly high in Williamson County because for the first time in nearly a quarter century, we will soon have a new mayor. Early primary voting begins April 15, and a recent anonymous push poll reveals just how worried certain local elites and hired political guns are when it comes to Williamson County Commissioner Mary Smith’s candidacy.
The allegations and insinuations against Ms. Smith, a conservative Republican with strong grassroots support, are disguised as push-poll questions. They reflect the sophistication of a panicked middle school student starting work on a year-long class project the night before it’s due.
For those unfamiliar, a push poll is a survey that appears to be seeking input from citizens about election issues. In reality, it is designed to influence voters’ opinions under the guise of gathering information about public opinion.
Typically a push poll uses leading or biased questions to promote falsehoods about an opponent. The people responsible for such polls are deceptive and don’t really care what the respondents think, nor are they interested in data they obtain — spreading falsehoods is their objective.
Of all the disinformation this push poll foisted upon voters, the one piece drawing the most ire is the allegation that Commissioner Smith voted against pay increases and new equipment for sheriff’s deputies, leaving first responders underpaid and citizens’ safety at risk.
“Recently you may have heard that Mary doesn’t support law enforcement, and I’m here to tell you that’s fake news,” Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Hughes told her supporters at the Feb. 27 Mary Smith for County Mayor rally.
He then described all she has done as a county commissioner to assist Williamson County’s deputies and other first responders.
Sheriff Hughes pointed out that she and fellow County Commissioner Drew Torres (also present at the rally) were “instrumental in trying to improve the salaries of all Williamson County deputies…they have always stood by law enforcement.”
The sheriff should know. Oh, and former Sheriff Ricky Headley is Ms. Smith’s campaign manager. Yet we are supposed to believe she does not back law enforcement? Please. They must think Williamson County voters are stupid. Really stupid.
Ms. Smith issued a statement in response to the push poll:
“Recent communications about me have contained deceptive claims and outright lies about my record particularly regarding support of our sheriff’s deputies and public safety funding. Those claims are false, slanderous and misleading. I have supported competitive pay for our deputies and first responders because keeping Williamson County safe is not optional. I have supported Parks and Recreation, infrastructure, and essential services because strong communities require balance. And I have consistently pursued cost savings, efficiencies, and responsible debt management to protect taxpayers. Supporting public safety while demanding fiscal discipline is not a contradiction, it is stewardship.”
Here is what’s really going on: The local Republican establishment (including some RINOs) fears Mary Smith’s integrity, competence, business expertise and ability to connect with voters. They marvel that she actually lives out her Christian faith and that it guides every aspect of her life. They recoil over her respect for constituents; the way she thoughtfully engages with them and listens to their concerns; and then uses this input to create actionable solutions.
Perhaps most of all, they are alarmed knowing she will bring discipline, accountability and transparency to county government.
What this “poll” really reveals is the panic engulfing Williamson County’s Good Old Boys Network and the depths to which its members will sink to protect their turf.
Andy Marshall, the other candidate for country mayor, has been outspoken about his Christian faith. I appreciate that about him and share his faith. Yet part of being a follower of Jesus is to not bear false witness against others.
I don’t know if Mr. Marshall had anything to do with this poll, but it sure looks bad. He should publicly repudiate it, along with the scurrilous attacks and lies against Ms. Smith. If he knew about it in advance, he needs to publicly apologize and discourage such attacks on Ms. Smith as well as other candidates for public office.
These lies will backfire because Williamson County voters are too smart to buy them. We are tired of endless assaults and smears perpetrated by power-hungry candidates who are ethically challenged and have no positive message.
Such candidates are content to continue the Williamson County establishment’s long-standing tradition of supporting virtually uncontrolled growth, reckless spending that has put our county in more than $1.2 billion of debt and looking down with contempt on constituents who ask questions or voice concerns.
Sheriff Hughes concluded his remarks correcting the push-poll lies by saying, “I would ask you to ignore all this monkey chatter you hear on social media and focus on the real facts.”
Apparently it never occurred to the primates initiating this monkey chatter that the sheriff himself would publicly correct their fake news with real facts and highlight all Ms. Smith has done to support his department.
As Ms. Smith noted in her statement, “Disagreement is part of democracy. Honest debate is healthy. But deception and lies are not . . . We deserve and should demand better from those wanting to serve.”
Voters indeed deserve better, not just in Williamson County but throughout Tennessee. It’s time to reject negative campaigning based on lies and deception. Ms. Smith is ready to have an honest, factual discussion about the issues everyday people actually care about and the kind of future we want to pursue for our county. How about you, Mr. Marshall?
Don Beehler is a retired public relations consultant in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information visit www.donbeehler.com.
4 Responses
Right on, Don and very well written. I’m sure that first time politician Andy Marshal is a bit naive in regards to the political swamp that he just jumped into. But, anyone involved recognizes the ‘who, what, and where’ of this push poll. It’s been done here before and it’s predictable with this particular political machine. Their mantra is that political wins are everything, while integrity is just an illusion for losers. I hope that Andy sees through this before it is to late. Admittedly, their tactics are effective and they win, but at what costs? However, maybe it is all just a diversion from the real story, and what the voters SHOULD be focused on. County Debt! Voters need to ask Andy Marshal, “What is your plan in regard to the ONE BILLION in county debt that has stacked up under Rogers Anderson? It sounds like he has a SPENDING PLAN – “Rogers Anderson 2.0…Remember our AAA bond rating!” LOL! But, does he actually have a plan to UNSADDLE us with the big, government spending spree we’ve been on for the past 24 years? So far all his campaign is doing is throwing accolades and platitudes.
Great article – thank you.
I disagree with one thing > Williamson County is controlled by more than “the establishment” – it is truly a Political Machine – the definition is > “A political machine is a political organization led by a single boss or a small group that maintains control over a city, county, or state by commanding enough votes, often through patronage and manipulation. These organizations typically provide services and resources to constituents in exchange for political loyalty.”
Mary Smith is honest and NOT part of the Machine – that’s why they oppose her. Mary will do what’s best for Williamson County – the Machine doesn’t want that.
A big issue that shows the difference is this > Williamson County plans to sell the Hospital that it owns. The Net Profit is estimated to be $500 million.
– Mary Smith wants the $500 million to be used to pay down County Debt. That would benefit every homeowner.
– the Political Machine and Marshall want the money to be given to a “Trust” that is controlled by the Political Machine so they can use the money to hire their friends.
There’s an article about the Williamson County Political Machine at https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/why-does-the-williamson-county-political-machine-want-to-build-the-most-expensive-jail-in-tennessee-in-a-blasting-zone/
The 1st thing I ask when I see a “poll” or such like this is who is the author/pushers. Sadly, few do same, and that’s what the crooks bank on.
Inciteful op-ed. This push poll from Andy Marshall’s campaign (if it’s not from him, how come he hasn’t come out to disavow it?) shows how scared he and his backers are of Mary Smith, a true grassroot conservative running for the Williamson County Mayor position. I wouldn’t put it pass Marshall and his election team to say and do anything underhanded to get their candidate elected. Sounds like the Williamson County CONs are behind this, who did everything they could to destroy the county’s Republican Party in 2025.
The current county mayor – Rogers Anderson – is leaving after a 24-year run that has left Williamson County with a massive $1.2 billion debt that requires more than $100 million in taxpayer interest payments per year. Imagine if we could use that money instead to address other problems in the county? Of course, Anderson had help with a number of good-ole-boy county commissioners that went along to get along and be in the “in” crowd.
Here’s hoping every Tennessee county has a grassroots conservative running for leadership. In Williamson County that’s Mary Smith, a long-time Williamson County resident and current county commissioner. Too bad she has to put up with an opponent that uses a push poll to deceive citizens about Smith’s achievements and character.
But, then, that tactic says so much about Marshall and his character.