As the Republican primary for Tennessee House District 78 (Cheatham and Dickson Counties) enters its final stretch, a growing number of local elected officials and voters are criticizing an influx of independent expenditure mailers funded by outside organizations, arguing the negative campaign has overshadowed local issues and the candidates themselves.
Several “conservative” advocacy organizations—including Americans for Prosperity, Tennesseans for Student Success, and the American Federation for Children — have distributed multiple campaign pieces attacking Republican candidate John Louallen.
The organizations were also active during Tennessee’s 2024 Republican primaries, where they collectively spent millions of dollars supporting candidates who favored expanding Tennessee’s school voucher program and opposing candidates they viewed as skeptical or critical of the policy.
It is a pattern that’s been repeated across several statehouse races during this primary season with hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent by dark-money interest groups in each case. In Sumner County, these same groups have mailed out over thirty different mailers alone…so far. One Sumner County leader has questioned why special interest groups are spending three to $400,000 to “own” a House seat that pays $30,000 a year. “What is their expected return on investment from keeping and growing the voucher scheme.”
Support for Brian Stewart by these same groups has included their promoting his supposed Marine Corps service, despite the fact that he was dismissed under “other than honorable” conditions.
That race is increasingly drawing national attention due to the controversy over his claims.
Some District 78 voters and local leaders say the volume and tone of the mail pieces have generated frustration, particularly because they perceive the outside spending to be overwhelmingly benefiting Louallen’s opponent, Perry Keenan, who has also received endorsements from former State Rep. Mary Littleton and Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth.
Critics argue many voters are being introduced to the race primarily through negative advertising before having the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates.
John Louallen is supported by Dickson County Sheriff Tim Eads, State Representative Jody Barrett, and 20+ Cheatham and Dickson County School Board and County Commission members. Most of those officials have spoken out against the misleading mail pieces targeting Louallen and have defended his votes and actions having worked directly with him.
Cheatham County Commissioner Calton Blacker says: “I’m truly disgusted by special-interest groups trying to influence a local election through attack ads, misinformation, and dishonest political tactics against a good person like John. I believe that when you take money and support from these groups, it comes with a price, and usually that price is having to answer to the people funding you.”
“It is disappointing to see outside interests use their money and influence to attack someone instead of allowing the voters to make their decision based on the truth, the facts, and the candidates themselves.”
“Local elections should be about the people and the future of our community—not who can spend the most money spreading negativity and misinformation,” he added.
Pegram Mayor Charles Morehead specifically and publicly disputed one of the claims made in a recent campaign mailer attacking Louallen.
“I’ve always believed campaigns should be about facts, not fear. This mailer claims that John Louallen ‘increased government spending by 350%’ and cites Page 18 of the Town of Pegram’s 2021 Annual Financial Report as its source.
I took the time to read the report myself.
Page 18 is simply the Statement of Net Position for the Town’s Sewer Enterprise Fund. It lists assets, liabilities, and net position. It does not show a 350% increase in spending, nor does it compare budgets from one year to the next.
Page 19 reports operating revenues and expenses for the sewer fund, and Page 20 reports cash flows. None of these pages, standing alone, support the dramatic claim made in this mailer.”
“Every voter should do exactly what I did—look at the source documents instead of relying on campaign pieces. Our community deserves honest debate based on facts and context, not headlines designed to inflame,” he pointed out.
“Whether you support John Louallen or another candidate, we should all expect campaigns to accurately represent public records. That’s not too much to ask,” Morehead concluded in his assessment of the negative mail.
The primary election is August 6, with early voting or underway.
Steve Gill is editor and Publisher of TriStar Daily.
