Image Credit: Senator Brent Taylor / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
Earlier this summer, Sen. Brent Taylor (R-Memphis-District 31) found himself the subject of multiple ethics complaints after his choice of verbiage surrounding a “No Kings” protest in Memphis got him into hot water with leftist protestors.
As of Tuesday, these ethics complaints were officially dismissed by the Tennessee Ethics Commission due to a lack of jurisdiction.
The commission also warned against any future “weaponization” of the panel for political disputes.
Complainants involved in the recent ethics complaints could face up to $10,000 in civil penalties if their submissions are found to be in violation by the commission.
The complaints, filed in late June, claimed that Sen. Taylor’s comments about the protest on social media and a radio show “escalated real world harm,” citing the police investigation of a man who attended the protest for “potentially attempting to incite a riot.”
The complaints took issue with Sen. Taylor calling protestors “idiots” during a June 12th appearance on Memphis Morning News, as well as a post he made to his social media about the left’s “violence masquerading as free speech” in which he wrote, “I remain undeterred by these deranged, purple-haired jihadis.”
In a statement to The Tennessee Conservative, Sen. Taylor stood his ground on the issue, saying his primary focus remained on bettering the city he represents.
“I fully expected this outcome regarding these ‘ethics complaints’ from the crazy, weathered, purple-haired hippies at Indivisible Memphis,” said Sen. Taylor. “They clearly don’t like my efforts to Make Memphis Matter. Apparently their feelings were hurt by something I said.”
“They should fill out a hurt feelings report and move on,” he continued. “I hate to disappoint them, but I’m not going anywhere. If they don’t support my efforts to get better outcomes for Memphis from the General Assembly, then they need to get the hell out of the way. We have a city to save!”
This is not the first time that the Republican lawmaker’s unique and attention-grabbing way of saying things has made him a target for the left.
A few months ago, Sen. Taylor began a new social media series that he titled Radical Rants Roundup, for the sole purpose of featuring “unhinged, over-the top” voicemail messages, texts and social media comments that he receives on a regular basis from more extreme left-leaning individuals.
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.
One Response
Lucifer’s accursed dimmercraps, criminals, idiots or both.