A day after the Chattanooga Pachyderm Club members voted to remove Curtis Adams and Perry Perkins from the Republican club (subject to board approval), Mr. Perkins said he is not supporting a Democrat.
"I did not endorse Mr. Maize, the Democratic Party candidate, for County Commission, District 7," he said.
Mr. Perkins, who lost in the GOP District 7 primary to Sabrena Turner, said, “Anyone saying that I am backing a Democrat is lying. I'll attend next Monday's meeting to address these allegations and ask the membership to hold whomever is involved accountable to these claims.
"Hopefully the board of directors will be able to educate our membership on the mission of the club as well as certain American principles such as the freedom of association and the right to answer one's accusers. Some of the Pachyderm Club's members may need a refresher on our Constitution. This will be a good time.”
Mr. Perkins said, "I did not support anyone in the District 7 general election because, though I am a Republican, I cannot support the tactics used by Turner's campaign staff and some of her supporters. It is well known within the Pachyderm Club, the press and the community that the Turner campaign used religious bigotry and defamed both Mr. Smartt and myself to win. That may be the reality in our political process now, but it does not mean I have to support her just because we are both Republicans. It was not an honorable win.”
Mr. Perkins also said, "I have been and will continue to be a member of the Republican Party regardless of the decision made next Monday by the club's board of directors.”
Jonathan Mason, Sabrena Turner campaign manager and president of the Hamilton County Young Republicans, said he did move that Mr. Adams be ejected from the club for supporting Democrat Kenny Smith.
However, he said it was City Councilman Larry Grohn who brought up the issue of Mr. Perkins being tossed out as well.
Henry Hoss, Pachyderm Club president, said the board of the club will act soon on whether or not to uphold the dismissals. He said he did not believe they would be banned from the club.