In 2nd Congressional District, Matlock leads Burchett in cash on hand
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett led candidates to succeed U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. in collecting donations but state Rep. Jimmy Matlock has more cash on hand for his campaign, according to financial disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission this week.
Duncan, who announced his retirement on July 31, still has far more campaign money than all his would-be successors combined with a reported balance of $917,303. The veteran congressman reported $52,500 in contributions received during the past quarter and continued using campaign funds to pay family members — a practice that inspired some controversy earlier this year.
Jeb Bush plans fundraiser for Randy Boyd; Black & Beavers bash Bush & Boyd
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will speak at a fundraiser for Randy Boyd’s campaign next month, reports the Nashville Post. Rep. Diane Black, one of Boyd’s rivals for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, promptly issued a news release declaring Bush and Boyd are ‘a match made in establishment heaven.’ Mae Beavers, another Boyd opponent, had similar comments — and criticized Black, too.
Private donations to new state museum at $25M (with $40M goal)
News release from Tennessee State Museum
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee State Museum today announced that fundraising efforts for the new museum have progressed well, with more than $25 million committed by corporations, foundations and individuals statewide during the campaign’s initial “silent phase.
Super PAC goal: $4M to help Ogles Senate campaign
News release from Andy Ogles campaign
FRANKLIN, TENN. (Sept. 19, 2017) — Conservative Republican businessman and fundraiser Lee Beaman announced today that he is in the process of forming a federal SuperPAC that will focus on electing Andy Ogles to the U.S. Senate.
House Republicans hold ‘team-building’ retreat
House Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan Williams tells The Tennessean about 50 members attended a “retreat” and fundraiser on Sunday and Monday.
Most of the meetings were at the offices of a Nashville law firm, where he says the Republican representatives heard from the three state constitutional officers, discussed membership dues and forthcoming open legislative seats and participated in team-building sessions (including a bowling outing).
Beavers resigning state Senate seat; expanding gubernatorial campaign team
News release from Sen. Mae Beavers
MT. JULIET, TN – Tennessee State Senator and conservative Republican candidate for Governor Mae Beavers has announced that she will resign her seat in the legislature effective Friday, September 1st at noon. Beavers also disclosed key additions to her gubernatorial campaign team.
Nashville crowd of 2,000 hears Pence praise Trump & TN Republicans, voice sympathy for Nashville mayor
A crowd estimated at 2,000 at the Tennessee Republican Party’s annual fundraising dinner Thursday evening heard Vice President Mike Pence hail the Trump administration’s accomplishments, praise the field of GOP gubernatorial candidates, declare U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker “extraordinary” and express sympathy with Nashville’s mayor over the death of her son.
State Republican Chairman Scott Golden says both the crowd and the money collected — about $850,000 — were records for TNGOP.
Figures from first gubernatorial campaign disclosures: Boyd, Lee and Dean tops in fundraising
Snapshot of gubernatorial candidate campaign finance disclosures filed Monday with the Registry of Election Finance, starting with Republicans in alphabetical order:
Sen. Mae Beavers – collected $56,721, spent $1,377; balance $55,343. (collection total includes $20,000 transfer from her state Senate campaign fund; does not include $4,760 in-kind contribution.)
Randy Boyd – collected $4,328,468, spent $819,236; balance $3,509,228 (collection total includes direct donations of $2,034,468 by Boyd himself, including in-kind contribution).
Bill Lee – collected $1,391,511, loaned his campaign $1,375,000 and made a $30,000 in-kind contribution to his campaign (renting a bus) for self-funded total of $1,405,000. Spent $223,187; balance $2,527,623.
Nashville state Senate candidate sending campaign emails to school employees
Would-be state senator Howard Jones has been blasting mass emails asking for donations to his fellow Metro Nashville Public Schools employees in violation of school policy, reports the Nashville Scene.
Jones is running for the District 19 seat currently held by state Sen. Thelma Harper; state Rep. Brenda Gilmore is also running.
Jones, a Baptist minister and assistant principal at John F. Kennedy Middle School, has been sending emails from his campaign account to staff at many, if not all, schools in the district — although apparently none to anyone in the administration and central offices.
