BREAKING: PINKSTON REJECTS GREEN CALL TO EXIT GOVERNOR’S RACE

Independent candidate for Governor Lauren Pinkston has dismissed a call from Democrat Jerri Green’s to withdraw from the race.

In a release issued by the Pinkston campaign on Tuesday, Pinkston made it clear she is not going anywhere.

“There is no question that Tennessee voters are exhausted by the two-party system. Our state ranked last in voter turnout in the most recent mid-term election and follows a national trend where more than 70% of voters say they want a viable Independent option when they cast ballots,” Pinkston pointed out.

“Since November 22, my campaign has made over 300 stops across Tennessee, more than any other candidate in this race, hosting rooms of voters across the political spectrum while mobilizing non-voters, as well. We have successfully raised more funds than any Independent in Tennessee’s recorded history, and we have inspired civic action in rural counties beyond even the leading Republican candidate,” she added.

“My campaign welcomes competition, invites conversation, and opens the lines of communication between candidates and voters. For weeks, we have asked the major-party candidates to sign a commitment to disagree better, and we’ve asked them to commit to a live debate with our ideas at the forefront. For months, we have heard nothing.”

“Yesterday afternoon [9/21 @ 4:10pm CST], we received an unexpected call from Councilwoman Green’s campaign, but it had nothing to do with our earlier requests. Instead, her team called my team to acknowledge they respect our campaign and then requested that we withdraw from the race and endorse their candidate on the basis of a Green-supporting PAC’s recently-released poll numbers.”

In rejecting the call to withdraw, Pinkston said: “Let me be clear: One poll, funded by a PAC supporting my opponent, that intentionally left me out of its questions and heavily skewed toward voters over age 50 does not convince me there is any path for Democratic victory on November 3.”

“I did not enter this race to spoil the campaign of a minority party. I have worked incredibly hard every single day since November to disrupt a system of two extreme parties that no longer serve the people.”

“The real spoiler in this race,” Pinkston said, “is the two-party system, and a representative democracy demands representation of all voters, all voices, and all Tennesseans.”

“We appreciate the Green campaign’s admission that this campaign is impacting the race for governor. If we weren’t making a difference, there would be no need for us to withdraw.
This admission not only affirms the coalition that others are witnessing on the ground, but it also affirms the respect my campaign demands on a debate stage.”

Pinkston pointed out that: “While other candidates seek to limit competition, I embrace it, because more candidates mean more choices for voters.”

“Tennessee deserves real competition and a debate stage that reflects the field, not a field narrowed to fit the debate stage.”

Pinkston concluded by saying: “So today, I am renewing my call for a debate among the four candidates who have built statewide campaigns and are actively asking Tennesseans for their support. My desire for a true representative democracy remains. My campaign is also leading a petition to demand that Tennesseans get to hear from all four candidates on the debate stage.” 

“I will not be withdrawing from this race, because I cannot be insignificant and a threat at the same time.”

“I am running for governor because the two-party system has stopped serving the people it is responsible to represent, and it is time for us to take the system back.”

The general election date is November 3. Green, Republican Marsha Blackburn and Independent David Hatley are waging intense campaigns across the state.