In the race between republicans Patsy Hazlewood and Michele Reneau I am not concerned with which candidate is more conservative than the other. The bottom line is both republican women seem to have the same values as I do. Both are conservatives. And frankly, when republicans try to "out-conservative" each other, it really does our party no good. I am confident in Patsy Hazlewood's values and principles because I have watched her serve our county well. But that is not the primary reason I have cast my vote for Patsy.
In any legislative body there are ranks.
There are freshmen members of our legislative bodies that are eager to serve, but that have to prove themselves to rise to the top. There are seasoned legislators who have earned the respect and confidence of their constituents. And then there are seasoned legislators who have risen to the top because they have not only earned the respect and confidence of their constituents but have also earned the respect and confidence of their colleagues.
Patsy Hazlewood's leadership has allowed her to rise to the top. As the Chair of the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Patsy puts Hamilton County in a position above all other counties in the State. She holds the purse strings for the entire State of Tennessee. Remarkably, Hamilton County also gets to lay claim to the Chair of the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee through Chair Bo Watson. And don't forget about Todd Gardenhire, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. These three legislators inarguably make Hamilton County's delegation the most powerful delegation across our State.
Tomorrow Hamilton County Republicans have an important choice to make. For me, it's simple. Why would we sacrifice our strength in Nashville? Why would we jeopardize the position that Patsy, Bo, and Todd have worked to put us in? Why would we replace the seasoned and proven quarterback for the rookie who hasn't yet played a game?
That's not to say that there isn't a place for rookies. Our system of governance embraces rookies. I am a rookie. But this is not the time to replace Patsy Hazlewood with a rookie.
I have already cast my vote for Patsy Hazlewood, and I hope you will too.
Coty Wamp