Williamson County Establishment Republicans Weaponize Organization Bylaws In Attempt To Isolate/Punish Grassroots Victors
Image Credit: Wallpaper Flare / Public Domain & tnfrw.org
The Tennessee Conservative [By Kelly M. Jackson] –
Earlier this month, The Republican Women of Williamson County hosted a luncheon, the event featured Senator Marsha Blackburn, and was advertised on the groups’ Facebook page:
“JOIN US for an insightful update from Senator Marsha Blackburn on Wed. May 24, 11 AM. at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. Marsha will have plenty to say about the border crisis, debt ceiling debate, Durham Report, China, 2024, and much more. To RSVP, check your email invite or visit the RWWC website at www.rwwilco.org — see you there! “
With such an enthusiastic invitation, any objective observer who would be interested in such an event would think they would be welcome, especially if they were serving in an important role in the Republican Party in Williamson County and had been doing so for many years in different capacities.
However, according to our sources, if you are a new member of the recently reimagined Williamson County GOP CEC, or anyone who has been actively participating in local conservative grassroots for the past few years (such as Moms For Liberty or Tennessee Stands specifically), you would be considered less of a welcome attendee and more of an intruder.
For the past year, and as recently as the May 16th Luncheon with Senator Blackburn, several people have been rejected, shamed, siloed and simply canceled from participating in any events that are operated by establishment Republican leadership at the helms of these organizations. The effort to isolate the grassroots has seemed to amplify since the April 18th reorganization of the Williamson County GOP.
The Tennessee Conservative has received correspondence between the leadership of the Republican Women of Williamson County, and several potential members applying for membership, or just simply trying to purchase a ticket for one of the events that are advertised on their social media, as an “all are welcome” kind of event, and have received notices that they were rejected for inclusion due to violations of the bylaws used by that organization.
In the correspondence, people have been told that they cannot be included for membership of the group or cannot attend one of the events, all because they violated several bylaws that are cited in the rejection letters. Some of these bylaws include the following language:
“Affiliation with any political organization which is not officially recognized as working in concert with the TFRW, NFRW and the Republican National Committee.” Article III, B(3) TFRW Bylaws.
“A local Club or individual member may be censured for cause, which includes suspension, for cause by a 2/3 (two-thirds) vote of the TFRW Executive Committee for any of, but not limited to, the following reasons:
1. Undermines by challenging the authority of the TFRW Executive Committee, the TFRW President, Club President or other TFRW Officer.
2. Speaks negatively about the TFRW which leads to public awareness.
3. Supports groups who are in direct conflict with TFRW. (Article III Section 6, A (1,2,3) TFRW Bylaws
To put these violations in context, the correspondence plainly stated that because the potential attender/member has either affiliated with local grassroots, (become a member of or attended/ supported events put on by either Mom’s For Liberty, or Tennessee Stands) or have expressed a public opinion on their social media that they disagreed with the county GOP or any of their auxiliary organizations, then the bylaws can be applied to those acts, and therefore disqualify them from participating in any of the functions offered by those organizations.
Of course, any private organization can operate however they see fit. But this correspondence essentially exposes a use of the poorly written bylaws as a weapon to exclude and isolate grassroots members who are trying to participate in events and groups that are branded as Republican, but are rejected because they aren’t the right kind.
In one of the communications, it was implied that Senator Blackburn was aware of the person’s actions and was supportive of not including them in the luncheon event. To assert that a US Senator would support the exclusion of a participant in a luncheon, who is also a constituent, all because that person at one time had a difference of opinion with them, seems extreme. However, that is exactly what the leadership of RWWC said, when they let the potential attendee know, they were being rejected and why.
The message from these email correspondence was loud and clear. It said “If you don’t agree with us, or have ever supported the local grassroots, then you aren’t the kind of Republican we want in our organization.“
It is a fact that these types of organizations have political influence, and their support is sought by most candidates who will be running under a Republican ticket.
With the expansion of populist politics within the conservative movement due to their resonance with the voter base in states like Tennessee, many believe that these organizations would do better to try and unify the base rather than deepen what appears to already be a profound division.
About the Author: Kelly Jackson is a recent escapee from corporate America, and a California refugee to Tennessee. Christ follower, Wife and Mom of three amazing teenagers. She has a BA in Comm from Point Loma Nazarene University, and has a background in law enforcement and human resources. Since the summer of 2020, she has spent any and all free time in the trenches with local grassroots orgs, including Mom’s for Liberty Williamson County and Tennessee Stands as a core member. Outspoken advocate for parents rights, medical freedom, and individual liberty. Kelly can be reached at kelly@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
Thanks you for this article. This type of article makes a difference. I live in Williamson and belong to the County GOP and also to the TN GOP.
I googled “Republican Women of Williamson County TN” and went to their website. I couldn’t find the names of their officers, which is strange, but they do list their sponsors. They probably don’t want new members because they’re afraid of being voted out.
My guess is that this group has about 30 members. Moms and Williamson Families have about 3,000 members.
The prior leadership of the Williamson GOP was overwhelmingly voted out. The new leaders should tell the leaders of Republican Women of Williamson County to straighten up or be replaced, or disband that group, or cut any connection to them. They are doing more harm than good.
Maybe we should Bud Light them and their sponsors? We could contact all the elected officials, get stories in the local papers, create controversy, etc.
The Republican Women are not controlled by the county GOP or the TN GOP they are a separate, independent organization. The leaders are elected by the members.
Too many voting Republicans have neglected to get involved, take the time to learn the mechanics of how the party work, have not been members, have not donated time, have not participated and yet are surprised when those that do bother to get involved don’t make decisions they like
Neglect and no participation is why we have the GOP organizations and politicians that we have
Get involved so that you can vote new leaders into office and be an officer … make the changes by being the party rather than just being an angry spectator heckling from the sidelines
Can’t tell the difference between them and the Democrats.
Radical leftist Rudi Dutschke spoke about a “long march through the institutions” which is a great name for what we conservatives must seek to accomplish in Williamson County as we populate one Republican organization after another in our campaign to make the Republcan Party a real honest to goodness political party rather than simply the political arm of the Chamber of Commerce. Williamson County today. . .the entire USA tomorrow.
Bulls**t news. Anybody can create fake stories these days. FAKE NEWS reporting CNN (Clinton News Network) I’m sure that’s who is supporting you. I agree with David we should contact elected officials, get stories in the local papers, create controversy, etc. against FAKE NEWS Tennessee Conservative paid for by CNN. Democrat News Media with a twist of sour grapes, salt and lime. Matter of fact you not just FAKE NEWS (CNN), you are FAKE, FAKE, FAKE NEWS.
Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed today and forgot to take her medication.
Agreed Stuart! I am thinking it is someone from one of the orgs mentioned in the article…. 😊
Mona, Please tell us what is fake in the article. I would really like to know.
Thanks.
This is actually very true. Seen it and heard it happen. Establishment Republicans are acting hypocritical and divisive just like Dems. Is this why they won’t have an open vote to close Republican primaries? They like their liberal progressive voters?
Is this why Establishment Republicans won’t even try paper ballots? They like the opportunities the very expensive 1-2 year usage, error and fraud prone, non- indemnity machines provide?
We’ve got a swamp here in Wilco and with some of its leadership and we need more grassroots members to help drain it dry.
AIW – I agree.
Looks like a fake account … this is a factual story
I am cancelling my subscription with you guys. I don’t understand why you don’t report the whole truth. I have done my research on several of your posts for over a year. Your stories are bias and very one-sided. The Bible speaks of lying is one of the things the Lord hates, you guys have done a great job reporting lies as well as manipulating stories. What a shame and you call yourselves conservative. I’m very disappointed. I have noticed an increased in bullying and I don’t get it, if you are reporting the truth you don’t have to bully. I’m looking for that conservative news you use to post not this one-sided stuff. For now, I’m out!
I am sorry you feel that way. I have the emails to prove it. But, if you prefer to believe we would print something that isn’t true, when I have the receipts to prove it, then that is your option. Have a nice holiday!
Charlie – Please explain what you’re talking about. I don’t understand. You say it’s “one-sided” – what’s the other side? Details please.
David
I want to be sure I understand – Is the leadership of Republican Women of Williamson County opposed to people who are members of Moms For Liberty, Tennessee Stands, or Williamson Families, or are they opposed to Leftists infiltrating and taking over the Republican Women of Williamson County?
I think the prior leadership of the Williamson GOP hated Moms For Liberty, Tennessee Stands, and Williamson Families because they thought those groups were a threat to their power, but I thought the new leadership of the Williamson GOP was welcoming to conservatives but was opposed to Leftists running as Republicans, as happened when a guy who was in favor of CRT, DEI, etc. was allowed to run as a Republican.
What a surprise that leftist antifa members with R next to their name seek to exclude and bully actual conservatives, and ban them from attending a lunch with RINO do nothing McConnell’s pet Blackburn.
Then their shills come here and complain about bullying, exactly what they are doing! Standard leftist terrorist tactic: scream at the other side accusing them of what you’re actually doing. I seem to recall the exact same garbage at the leadership elections.
This is my shocked face 8p
Yes. Pretty much since the inception of all the grassroots orgs. For all the reasons you gave. You have it correct 100%.
Yep. You have it. They aren’t thrilled about the challenge they have never had to face. And they lost. They are smarting from that. I would take a guess at the real names of those people who made the comments, but they are embarrassing themselves enough, I don’t need to help. 😉
Kelly, Thanks for clarifying that. That explains why they complain but don’t give any details. They were running it like a private club.
David posted: “I think the prior leadership of the Williamson GOP hated Moms For Liberty, Tennessee Stands, and Williamson Families because they thought those groups were a threat to their power, but I thought the new leadership of the Williamson GOP was welcoming to conservatives but was opposed to Leftists running as Republicans, as happened when a guy who was in favor of CRT, DEI, etc. was allowed to run as a Republican.”
You are correct …. except that the new Williamson County Republican Party leadership is not in charge of the Republican Women of Williamson County. They are not a sub group of the county party. They are their own group and are county chapters of the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women. They elect their own officers at the county level and their own state officers. They have their own bylaws at the county and state level.
The Tennessee Federation of Republican Women have forbidden all chapters in all counties across the state from having Gary Humble/TN Stands or Robin Steeman/Moms for Liberty to speak at any of their chapters in TN and chapter leaders who invite them have faced strong repercussions.
Much of the state leadership comes from Williamson County so what happens between individuals in Williamson County gets translated to statewide policy.
The county GOP elections do not impact their Republican Women nor do the county party’s control the Republican Women groups.
Having been a member and an officer in the aforementioned club, many, many moons ago, I experienced similar ostracizing by the recycled, entrenched fossilized (not necessarily referring to age) leadership. They are EXACTLY like demon-fascists in that they NEVER allow new people to assume the reins of leadership unless they pass the establishment, Lamar, Haslam, and Marsha-loving litmus test. They continue to pass the torch to the same people who have protected the status quo for decades. And now, I guess they do not want members younger than 70 who want the Republican party to abide by its own platform nor candidates who will win with bold and Constitutional American principles. Again, they thrive on the losing side. They do NOT want to win.
“It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” _Frederick Douglas-
There is never any real progress w/o some strife.