From our rapidly growing “You can’t make this stuff up” file comes a goodie from Putnam County in the politically “Red” Upper Cumberland. Seems the local Democrats decided to grow their base by hosting a charity drag show last week at their Putnam County Democratic Party headquarters. No, seriously! This was THEIR flyer, not AI. Interesting OUTreach for Pride Month. 
No word on whether Independent candidate for Sheriff Darrin Stout, who has been promoted as the favored candidate among the local Dems, or his promoter in chief Kyle Mallory attended the event. But it was dark and many of the men showed up wearing women’s clothes and heavy makeup, so who knows. We will just leave it to your imagination, because ours isn’t that dark or depraved.
TENNESSEE REPUBLICANS BREAK FUNDRAISING RECORD AT ANNUAL STATESMAN’S DINNER.
The annual gathering produced a huge haul for the state GOP’s coffers heading towards the November general election. Senator Bill Hagerty chaired this year’s event and kicked things off with an on stage interview with the always entertaining Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, who felt very at home in Nashville having spent his undergraduate years at Vanderbilt. Hagerty even used his cell phone to call President Trump to let him join in the fun and encourage the faithful.
Senator Marsha Blackburn, Congressman John Rose, and Rep. Monty Fritts all got time on stage to tout their gubernatorial ambitions, and Rose and Blackburn both hosted after-dinner receptions to further fire up their troops.
Former Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs and Former Core Civic CEO Damon Hininger were circulating throughout the evening as they eye the Senate seat that will be up for appointment if Blackburn is elected and leaves her seat. Jacobs regularly appears on Marsha’s behalf and Hininger has reportedly donated $100,000 to her campaign.
The question remains whether Blackburn or outgoing Governor Bill Lee will actually make that pick, as the timing of any Blackburn resignation opens the door. Trump will have a lot of influence over the selection, and the very popular Knoxville Congressman Tim Burchett, who has very close to President Trump, has made it no secret that he would like the appointment if it becomes available.
Assuming Blackburn is Governor, whoever gets the Senate appointment will face voters in 2028 needing to secure the final two years of Blackburn‘s term. Burchett has already made it clear that if he does not get the appointment he will run in 2028, and he has been traveling the state speaking to Republican groups very aggressively over the last year.
The Rose team points out that he is gaining momentum and his media buys over the next several weeks will close the gap as early voting approaches. If Rose wins, Marsha stays in the Senate, and the next opportunity for the ambitious Republicans in Tennessee to be elected to the Senate will have to wait for her term to end in 2030, unless Bill Hagerty moves into a cabinet position in Washington under Trump or his Republican successor (Vance, Rubio, or someone else).
And you foolishly thought the November election would provide a break from political intrigue for a while!
FRESH POLL RUMORS ABOUND! There have been several political polls conducted over the past few weeks as congressional and gubernatorial candidates. prepare for the post July 4 frenzy. Stay tuned here for updates in the next few days.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
