“PARDON ME BOYS…” Some of 2025’s biggest winners in Tennessee include those who received pardons from either President Trump or Governor Lee, thereby erasing their criminal convictions and restoring their rights. Crime may not pay, but it can lead to a pardon for those with special connections. Some of the high profile pardons went to: country-rap music star Jason “Jelly Roll” DeFord, former House Speaker Glen Casada and his former Chief of Staff Cade Cothren, former State Senator Brian Kelsey, reality tv stars Todd and Julie Chrisley, and Monty Burks, who served as the deputy director of Gov. Lee’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative.
SORE LOSER. Despite leading Vanderbilt through an historic football season and finishing second in Heisman votes, QB Diego Pavia did not do himself or his university proud with his post vote tantrum. Texting “F*ck the voters” Pavia was the epitome of a sore loser, contrasting dramatically with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza’s amazing acceptance speech. Vahn-derbilt deserved better representation on a rare, high visibility national stage appearance.
THE CHEAP SEATS. The revelation that the heated animosity between Democrat woke State Reps. Justin Jones and Aftyn Behn is founded upon the fact that they used to date and things ended it badly was surprising to those not in the inner circle of the legislature. Most had assumed the friction was a result of both seeking visibility and donations from the same far left sources. House Speaker Cameron Sexton knew the truth and has earned the political “play of the year” award for seating them side-by-side in the House chamber last January. When they return to the legislature next month, they will find the same seating assignments. Well played Cam, well played.
BIGGEST LOSERS. Nashville taxpayers bearing the brunt of Mayor Freddie’s massive property tax increase.
BIGGEST WINNERS. Memphis residents enjoying safer streets and dramatic reductions in crime thanks to the presence of National Guard patrols that have been opposed by most of the Democratic leadership in the city. Those Democrat leaders should not worry; once the troops leave Memphis will go back to being Memphis and return to being the deadliest city in America.
2026 PREDICTIONS.
Governor Lee’s desire to double school vouchers from 20,000 to 40,000 recipients annually fails due to budget limitations. Program expands by only 5,000, mainly to students who are already in private schools.
Despite optimistic talk from Democrats about Tennessee becoming less “red”, republicans retain super majorities in the state House and state Senate following the midterm elections. The only change in the congressional delegation comes when Justin Pearson defeats Steve Cohen in Memphis.
Monty Fritts buys a winning $100 million Powerball lottery ticket, pours $30 million into his gubernatorial primary and upsets both Marsha Blackburn and John Rose on his way to the Governor‘s office.
Congressman Tim Burchett announces he is splitting from Carhartt and has signed an exclusive NIL deal with Brooks Brothers to upgrade his look. His recent appearances in Iowa and New Hampshire spark speculation he’s running for President in 2028.
2036 PREDICTION
After a decade of litigation leading to continued eligibility, 37 year old Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar leads the Vols to a college football national championship over Vanderbilt and QB Diego Pavia in the Lainey Wilson Bob’s Auto Diesel Shop Bowl game in Cocoa Beach, Florida. The two teams successfully navigated the 48 team playoff to get the win in late May. Pavia launches into an epithet rich post game rant blaming the refs, bowl sponsors, the CMA, and scoreboard operators for the loss before announcing that he is taking his talents to “another level“ by signing with the NFL’s G league franchise in El Salvador. Aguilar announces he’s coming back to defend the title under UT head coach Boo Carter.
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