The Tennessee Republican Party has removed 40 Republican candidates From the August primary ballots — many of whom are challenging Republican statehouse incumbents. The Party says they are not “bona fide” members of the Republican Party, some for failing to vote in three of the past four statewide GOP primary elections others for donating to Democrats.
Among those removed is Cade Cothren, former Chief of Staff to former Speaker Glen Casada, who was convicted last year in a public corruption trial, then pardoned by President Donald Trump just before reporting to prison.
Cothren had filed to run against Republican incumbent House member Kip Capley.
GOP Chair Scott Golden sent a letter to state Elections Coordinator Mark Goins on March 17, informing him of the decision to bar the 40 from running as Republicans.
Other candidates informed of their removal include Theodore “Butch” Baker who was challenging Sen. Mark Pody in Wilson/Davidson County; Chad White, challenging Rep. Todd Warner; and Tammy Albright, running against Rep. David Hawk.
Cothren was disqualified for making donations to Democrat Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson shortly after Republicans voted to expel them, along with Rep. Gloria Johnson, from the legislature in 2023. Cothren gave them $100 each that April, according to their public campaign finance records.
In addition to his donations, Cothren also expressed his support for the two in several social media posts. Some speculate his donations and support for Jones and Pearson were in response to his animosity over what he perceived was a role Speaker Cameron Sexton may have played in his and Casada’s fall from grace and subsequent criminal prosecution.
The candidates have the chance to appeal the party’s decision to remove their names, and can offer information to restore themselves to the primary ballot by next week. GOP State Executive Committee (SEC) members from the State Senate districts covering the candidate’s district will determine whether or not to grant reprieves.
In the case of Cothren, whose district overlaps two Senate districts, four SEC members will determine his fate: Angie McClanahan, Chris Morris, Stacey Brewer, and Johnny Bellis. In the event that the SEC members are split equally then GOP state chair Scott Golden will cast the deciding vote.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
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