GOP State Executive Committeeman Insults Mother During Meeting Regarding Partisan School Boards In Shelby County

The Tennessee Conservative [by Paula Gomes] –

On August 17th, 2023, Justin Johnson, a Collierville Republican, and a group of concerned parents had a meeting with the leadership of the Shelby County Republican Party and elected officials regarding partisan school boards in Shelby County.

Terry Roland, who is the District 29 Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committeeman became upset with one of the mothers at the meeting and began to insult her. Johnson reports that he asked Roland to stop and to be respectful to the women in attendance. Another mother there and also the Shelby County GOP chairman also asked him to stop.

“There is no place for leadership to behave this way. Decorum has been lost with many of our elected officials and I promise to never stand for this type of behavior or treat others I disagree with like this,” said Johnson. “We should respect everyone, even those we disagree with.”

Unbeknownst to Johnson at the time, the meeting was recorded. In the audio recording, Roland is heard insulting Lorrie Williams of Moms for Liberty – Shelby County. Johnson, Kristen Hicks and Cary Vaughn, who is the Shelby County GOP chairman, are then heard making requests for Roland to stop. 

Go directly to the Terry Roland clip HERE.

Roland addresses Williams saying, “When’s the last time you actually lobbied the legislature? When? You ain’t never have.”

Williams replied, “I’m a house wife raising children…” and Roland cut her off saying, “You just answered my question.”

Williams said, “Oh, I hope you didn’t just put me down.”

Roland retorted, “No, I didn’t. You have never lobbied…”

“I lobby every day for the peace and security of my family,” Williams responded, “so don’t talk to me like…”

Cutting Williams off again, Roland said, “I just won’t talk to you at all cause for you to matter, I’d have to care about your opinion.”

At this point, the aforementioned calls for decorum began.

A leaked resolution from the Shelby County Republican Party County Executive Committee has uncovered their intention to remove the option of having partisan elections for the county’s school board races.

The resolution is scheduled for a vote during the Shelby County GOP CEC’s meeting tomorrow, September 7th, 2023 at 7PM Central Time.

Johnson has encouraged Republican parents to show up with signs to send a message to CEC leadership that parents want partisan school board races. There is concern that everyone will be asked to leave the room before the vote.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.