One of the byproducts of Republican domination in an increasingly red state like Tennessee is the growing trend of Republicans turning their fire at each other rather than continuing to be focused on the Democrats. This is played out in counties across Tennessee as local parties that have become intensely divided between groups claiming to be the “real” Republicans, usually the MAGA folks, while others are derided as moderate RINOs (Republicans in Name Only).
There is no doubt that there are often justified differences of opinion within the party. We are certainly seeing that play out at the National level in primaries in Indiana, Kentucky, Texas, and elsewhere; and the failure of the US Senate to act in passing legislation like the SAVE Act, which has overwhelming support from both our Republicans and others. RINOs like Majority Leader John Thune (and his allies) blocking votes and stalling important Trump appointments and legislation serve to throw fuel on the fires of local party divisions.
In many cases, the battles within local county parties are motivated by ego and a desire for power, rather than true ideological or policy differences. But in most cases, the fight over the soul of the party and real policy objectives reveal actual and important differences in goals and objectives and should be taken seriously.
The problem for Republicans lies in whether those internal battles carryover into the general election and enable Democrats, often extreme liberals, to get a foothold and possibly pick up wins in normally solid red areas. The problem is exacerbated in Tennessee, where our late primary season in August leaves little time for republican adversaries to kiss and make up before the November general election.
The latest example of in fighting among Republicans comes from Knox County where county commissioners, fresh off very contentious local races earlier this month, are at each other‘s throats in a chat stream that has gone public. https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/05/22/read-the-fiery-group-chat-debate-between-knox-county-republicans/90194736007/
Some of this is personal; some is sore losers venting; some is the residual conflict over “bona fide” disputes that continue to linger. Frankly, both sides in the Knox County chat make some great points. But as Knox County Republican chairman Martin Daniel points out, now is the time for the party leaders to come together and support those who won the primaries in order to secure victories in the August general election. Easy to say, harder to do.
But definitely something party leaders and activists across the state should take to heart as we head into even more divisive August Republican primaries for state legislative seats, Congress and Governor. As Newt Gingrich often pointed out in the past, somebody who agrees with you 90% of the time is not your enemy.
Steve Gill is Editor and Publisher of TriStar Daily.
