Image Credit: bobbyfortn.com & capitol.tn.gov & Antony-22 / CC
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
The race for the District 4 seat in the Tennessee Senate is shaping up to be what some call “one of the most heated races,” as Bobby Harshbarger battles incumbent State Senator Jon Lundberg.
Harshbarger is the son of U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger. He is a pharmacist and sits on the state pharmacy board.
Lundberg has been a member of the General Assembly for 18 years, serving five terms in the House and finishing out his second in the Senate.
Harshbarger says Lundberg’s voting record on a number of issues motivated him to run as a way of ensuring that Tennessee remained a safe place for his children and other people’s kids.
“When I started looking more into my opponent’s voting record, and especially a lot of the things that would affect my children and other folks’ children. One of the biggest ones was allowing the gay Pride flag in the classroom. That really pushed me over the edge,” Harshbarger told News 5.
Harshbarger has stated that he wants to see conservative values as a part of the educational system in Tennessee.
Lundberg refutes Harshbarger’s claims, arguing that his vote against legislation that would have banned pride flags in the classroom was due to the language of the bill. He claims the bill would have banned the flying of all flags.
He also countered that he has made children’s interests a priority, most recently serving as Chair of the Senate Education Committee. He is a supporter of school choice and says he wants to work to push forward with Governor Lee’s school voucher program.
Harshbarger also plans to do everything within his power to protect the state’s borders from illegal aliens.
According to Harshbarger, some things that set him apart from Lundberg is that he is not a career politician and he was raised in Sullivan County.
“The last 15 years or so, I’ve been a practicing pharmacist here in Kingsport, Tennessee, serving patients all through Sullivan, all of Hawkins County,” Harshbarger said. “And my opponent has been a professional career politician. So you go from having it be a job to a career. And I think it’s time for a change.”
Earlier this week, Harshbarger’s campaign announced that his bid for the seat had been endorsed by President Donald Trump.
“He and his family are fierce advocates for our movement to Make America Great Again and, therefore, Bobby Harshbarger has my complete and total endorsement!!” stated President Trump.
Complaints have been filed against both candidates involving the possibility of campaign finance violations.
A sworn complaint against Lundberg mentions Rachel Barrett, who is said to work as treasurer for McPAC, a political action committee run by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, while also working for Lundberg. Barrett is accused of “coordination efforts to evade campaign contributions limits.”
Previously, State Senator Ken Yager questioned the fact that Thomas Datwyler, treasurer of political action committee East Tennessee Conservatives, was working with Harshbarger’s campaign. That was turned over to the Attorney General for further investigation.
Datwyler said that his role is campaign finance compliance.
“I can promise you there is no coordination or connection between the Harshbarger’s and East Tennessee Conservatives PAC,” Datwyler told The Center Square.
Early voting will continue until July 27th. Thursday, August 1st is the State and Federal Primary and State and County General Elections. And Tuesday, November 5th is the State and Federal General Election.
9 Responses
The important thing is this… John Lundburg has accomplished nothing significant in his 17 years in Tennessee politics except to harass small business owners as Tony Shipley’s lapdog and live like a king off of our tax money.
He is a Yankee (born in Michigan) and has no roots whatsoever in NE Tennessee. A carpetbagging grifter who looks upon the people in our area as rubes he can lie to with impunity.
Bobby Harshbarger is a local boy with the best interests of our people in mind. Let’s make sure we no longer rationalize being sold out to Liberal RINO interests by sending Lundburg on his way.
The same PAC that accused Gary Humble of campaign violations is also accusing Harshbarger. Gary Humble was found innocent and I believe Harshbarger will as well. This is dirty politics at its finest. Ever since Donald Trump endorsed Dr. Harshbarger Lundberg has been sending out gross exaggerations about Dr. Harshbarger. I have researched every accusation Lundberg has slung out to the public and if there was ever a chance that I would have voted for Lundberg that will never happen now. I detest dirty politics and dirty politicians. We need change here in TN. These career politicians need to go. Lundberg thinks being an elected official for many years gives him an advantage over a newly elected person. I say it gives him an advantage that generally doesn’t help the people of Tennessee. He once was newly elected as well. It is not rocket science navigating your way around the Assembly and Dr. Harshbarger is a very smart man. Lundberg is desperate. His terrible record speaks for itself. Just look at the RINO report at how many times Lundberg and Gardenhire are mentioned. Anyone that wants to know the TRUTH about Dr. Harshbarger feel free to contact me. 215-692-2147 or karen.bracken@reagan.com. I can prove he is NOT a criminal, DC lobbyist, a kin to Hunter Biden, against parental rights in education, has donated 10’s of thousands of dollars to Democrats and much more. All exaggerations of a desperate man. I am ashamed to even admit that Lundberg is my Senator. I have never voted for him because I learned long ago what he was really all about.
Hey, Karen. Have you noticed that a few of Lundburg’s signs offer the statement “Pro Trump”?
LOL!
That is the way he thinks. He figures people who live in say…. Willie Boom, are so stupid that all we need to hear is “Trump” and we’ll forget the rest. Arrogant yankee bastard. I know Lundburg’s dark side up close and personal. He is bad news for the state of Tennessee and the 4th in particular.
I hope people in your area are ready for change and vote for Harshbarger. He needs to go.
I voted him out. Pretty sure I’m not the only one. And if we don’t get him this time we’ll get him the next. Point is, his days are numbered.
Everyone I talk to is voting for Harshbarger but we cannot let up and assume he will win. People in this district have been tired of Lundberg for a long time but a strong contender has never presented him/herself. Well we have a strong candidate and believe me we will watch him like a hawk and I told him that we will be watching him.
Good.
From now on, we will demand performance from our elected and when DJT takes the White House back we will demand accountability when it comes to the crimes and absolute treason we have seen from the LEFT. No one gets a pass the way the Obama administration did.
I had email correspondence with Lundberg over the flag issue. I still have our communication. I contacted him immediately following his vote in committee. He never stated there was a problem with the language of the bill. In fact, he justified his vote by saying it would have also banned “speedway flags”. I believe he changed his vote knowing 10 senators were “taking a walk” during the vote and because Harshbarger pulled paperwork to challenge based on that vote. He is an absolute liar and I hope everyone is voting Harshbarger.
A liar is exactly what he is. Amongst other things. I know things about this man that I can’t even write here.
Suffice to say, his record, or lack thereof, speaks for it’s self.