TeamGOP Board members Jeff Ward and Reuben Watkins today called for a public apology from Republican State Senators Curtis Person of Memphis, Mike Williams of Maynardville and Tim Burchett of Knoxville for "working against the interests of the Tennessee Republican Party and thousands of Republicans across the state."
Jeff Ward said, “This past Thursday while many Republicans were working the polls trying to elect Republicans to office, these three State Senators were helping Governor McWherter and Speaker Naifeh raise money at a $1,000 per plate for the re-election of Democrat Lt. Governor John Wilder. This is a slap in the face to grassroots Republicans.”
He said, "Perhaps the worse kept secret in state politics these days is the significant investment in time, money and support of Ron Stallings to defeat Wilder. The state party, Tennessee Right to Life, TeamGOP and several Republican groups led by local County Republican Parties have greatly invested in defeating John Wilder.
"With the concerted effort by Republicans to take control of the State Senate these three Senators, Person, Williams and Burchett, are putting their own selfish interests ahead of the Republican Party and its principles."
Sen. Person is Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Williams is Chairman of the Transportation Committee and Senator Burchett is Vice Chairman of the Governmental Operations Committee.
Mr. Ward said Lt. Governor Wilder "has protected his political turf by keeping these three under his thumb with rewards of appointments to the aforementioned key positions."
Reuben Watkins stated, "It is difficult to justify the motivations of these senators. At this point in an election cycle, their participation in a major fundraising event for Wilder defies logic. The state party, area county parties, TeamGOP and a number of other groups are working tirelessly to unseat Wilder and these guys go help him raise $150,000 to defeat GOP challenger Ron Stallings. That is just wrong.”
Mr. Ward added, “While no one would argue that Lt. Governor Wilder isn’t a good and decent man, it is time for these senators to show some guts and stand up for the Republican Party.” These three men are decent men, but their actions are wrong and exemplifies just how out of touch they are with rank and file Republicans in Tennessee.
Mr. Watkins said, ”When a candidate asks Republicans for their time, money and votes, it seems reasonable to expect the candidate to refrain from actively supporting the other side once elected. Democrats did not elect these three Senators. I wonder if Republicans will re-elect them."
Four years ago several Republican State Senators supported Wilder’s re-election bid including the “WILDER 3” and State Sen. Bill Clabough.
Mr. Ward said, “Republicans do not tolerate other Republicans who play for the opposing team. The good people of East Tennessee rewarded Senator Clabough for his actions over the last four years by voting him into obscurity. Sens. Person, Williams and Burchett should endorse Ron Stallings and apologize to Republicans across the state. If they choose instead to stand with the Democrats…perhaps they await their own fate of being 'Claboughed.'"
TeamGOP is "a statewide grassroots Republican coalition dedicated to electing Republicans at every level of government." TeamGOP publishes a weekly E-newsletter and operates a political action committee under the same name. www.TeamGOP.org.