The Republican primary in the new ninth district is seeing a flurry of attack mail pieces hitting voter’s mailboxes. State Rep. Todd Warner has been targeted by an out of state third party group weighing in with attack mail. This particular attack definitely seem to be stretching the truth!
A third party group out of Dallas, Texas called AFC Victory Fund hit Warner claiming his vote against the Tennessee voucher plan was a “vote against Trump”. The group attempts to brand Warner, one of the most conservative legislators in the House, as a “radical liberal.”
AFC Victory Fund is a well-funded pro-school choice advocacy group that aggressively promotes voucher plans like the one passed and expanded in Tennessee. It is affiliated with American Federation for Children. Warner’s “sin” was opposing the voucher scheme, although AFCVF and similar groups intentionally blur the line between school choice and vouchers.
Warner responded by directly blaming Taylor for the attack, which Taylor and his campaign have denied. Warner is posting online about the mail piece, questioning Taylor’s character.
Taylor, who did vote for the voucher plan and its expansion, is relying on positive mail and tv ads in the campaign. Third party groups who supported the voucher plan are likely to engage more in the coming weeks.
BROOKS BAILS IN 6TH; TURNING SIGHTS TO NASHVILLE MAYORS RACE
Natisha Brooks, a charismatic and energetic (albeit drastically underfunded) candidate for the GOP congressional nod in the 6th District (to succeed John Rose) suspended her campaign Tuesday. She is focusing on a campaign to unseat Mayor Freddy O’Connell next year. She may endorse one of her fellow Republicans in the 6th, but has not yet made any announcement.
PUTNAM SHERIFF FARRIS ENDORSES HILLEARY IN THE SIXTH.
A not particularly surprising endorsement came in the 6th District GOP primary this week as popular three term Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris issued a video statement of support for former Congressman Van Hilleary. Hilleary is battling Johnny Garrett and Jon Henry for the GOP nomination. The winner is almost assuredly going to get elected in November.
AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY FALSELY CLAIMS BRIAN STEWART IS A “FATHER” IN NEW MAIL PIECE.
AFP has admitted the claim that the childless State House GOP candidate in Sumner County isn’t actually a father, blaming it on a “typo”. Where did they get the information in the mail piece? And what other statements in this mailer, and others across the state for AFP’s favorites, are equally inaccurate?
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
