Haile Running For Reelection Next Year: A Look At His Voting Record
Image Credit: @HaileforSenate / X
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
As the 2024 elections get closer and closer, it is important to remember that there is a difference between a politician with an “R” next to their name and a true conservative.
Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin-District 18) appeared in The Tennessee Conservative’s RINO Report this year as the “2023 Tennessee Senate RINO Legislator of the Year” and is running for reelection in 2024.
One of the votes that earned him this distinction in 2023 was…
Voting in favor of Allowing the State to Own Banks.
SJR0034, sponsored by Sen. Haile, would have allowed Tennessee’s Treasurer and Comptroller to use taxpayer dollars to purchase a portion of a company or bank.
This resolution was not passed by the legislature.
For 2023, the Tennessee Legislative Report Card gave Haile a voting score of 78 with an F grade given for leadership. The report card shows that 58.46% of his campaign contributions come from special interests. Click HERE to see the full report.
In 2022, Haile’s voting record earned him a spot in The Tennessee Conservative’s TOP 5 RINOs of the Tennessee Senate.
Here are some of the votes that earned him that distinction.
Voting against Medical Freedom.
SJR0993, sponsored by Sen. Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16), was a resolution declaring an individual’s right to refuse medical treatment. It also required that an individual’s other rights not be denied due to refusal of medical treatment.
Sen. Haile was one of five Republicans who killed the resolution in committee.
He also voted against SB1880, another bill by Sen. Bowling that would have prohibited pharmacies from blocking patient access to certain COVID-19 treatments like Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine.
Sen. Haile was one of six Republicans who killed the bill in committee.
Voting against Free Speech.
SB1005, known as the “Incumbent Protection Bill” was sponsored by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge-District 5) and increased paperwork for groups that try to keep the public informed about legislators’ voting habits, effectively silencing those who do not have the resources to accommodate more red tape.
The legislation was carried by Sen. Haile and signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee on May 27th, 2022.
Voting against Parental Rights.
SB0148, sponsored by Sen. Richard Briggs (R-Knoxville-District 7), was amended to allow healthcare providers to give minors STD vaccines without parental knowledge or consent.
Sen. Haile voted in favor of the bill as amended before it died in the House of Representatives.
Voting for Corporate Welfare.
SB2901, sponsored by Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin-District 27) approved the allocation of $500 million to Nashville/Davidson County for the infamous new Titans stadium.
Sen. Haile voted in favor of the legislation, and Gov. Lee signed it into law on June 1st, 2022.
Voting in favor of Illegal Immigration.
SB2464, sponsored by Sen. Shane Reeves (R-District 14), paved the way for illegal immigrants to obtain professional and commercial licenses in Tennessee.
Sen. Haile voted in favor of SB2464, and Gov. Lee signed the bipartisan legislation into law on April 26th, 2022.
Voting in favor of Expanded Medical Authority.
SB2026, sponsored by Sen. Bill Powers (R-Clarksville-District 22), was amended to allow dentists in Tennessee to administer COVID-19 and HPV vaccines.
Sen. Haile voted in favor of the bill as amended before it died in the House of Representatives.
It’s easy to look at Sen. Haile’s votes to prohibit gender-affirming surgeries for minors, permanently extend protections from COVID-19 mandates, or to protect girls’ sports, and conclude that he stands for conservative values.
However, to adopt the language of one of Sen. Haile’s fellow Top 5 RINOs of 2022 Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10), “the devil was in the details.”
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
And now for the fabulously great news! Ferrell Haile is already slated to have an opponent in next year’s Republican primary, CHRIS SPENCER who I understand is a solid conservative well known in Haile’s district. Chris is already organizing his campaign and raising money for the contest. Conservatives should place this one on their contribution list as we prepare for the centrist/tepid conservative removal in 2024.
My scorecard now reads two energetic primary campaigns for those singled out as RINOS in the “RINO REPORT” as follows:
CHRIS SPENCER vs. Ferrell Haile
MONICA IRVINE vs. Becky Massey
This information is very helpful to direct my support for the next elections. Some of this content I was unaware of.
Very good report. CB
Great article and good information for which I’m sure all these state legislators wish wasn’t so readily available to their constituents, as I’m sure they’d have a ‘great’ excuse for their RINO votes. But, we all know it’s about money and phone calls! Make sure you use both when addressing your legislator, but first be confident that you are actually voting for a ‘real’ conservative, secondly knowing that most of them ‘change’ when they get comfortable on the legislature! Thanks to Adelia Kirchner and Tennessee Conservative for working to keep these legislators accountable.
THANX for y’all’s RINO expos!!
What is not mentioned in this article is how diligently Ferrell Haile, a self-proclaimed “member of the NRA” has worked and continues to work AGAINST any substantial effort to restore the 2nd Amendment and remove unconstitutional impairments of the rights of Tennesseans.
I’ve met Haile’s opponent, Mr. Chris Spencer, and I predict that through diligence on his part that he will defeat this RINO, who chooses the progressive path more often than he does not.
Dist. 14 State Senate
Is anyone running to primary that biped Shane Reeves ?
If so, I’d consider a donation well spent.