Capitol Notebook: US Senate races draws attention and the governor on prayer – The Tennessean
The U.S. Senate race in state is starting to get attention, what the governor had to say about prayer and a look at the Tennessee Executive Residence at Christmas.
Here’s the latest political news and what you might have missed.
Hagerty on the campaign trail
When former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty spoke to a group of Republicans in Nashville last week he frequently touted his endorsement from President Donald Trump during his roughly 10 minute stump speech. He mentioned the president or Trump’s name more than a dozen times and noted his endorsement on eight occasions.
Hagerty said when Trump called him “the other day” the president reminded him of something. “He said, ‘Bill you are the only person from my administration who I have endorsed to be on the ticket with me in 2020,’ Hagerty recalled Trump saying. “It’s that important.”
In addition to talking about Trump and answering a question about abortion, Hagerty had several notable comments during his speech and a 20-minute Q&A session. Here are a few:
- On his younger years, Hagerty said he worked on a road crew shoveling asphalt with his father. “That shoveling experience came in handy at the barn, as you might imagine and if you guys decide to send me to Washington, D.C. it may just come in handy up there too,” he said.
- On red flag laws, Hagerty said, “I think what we need to do is really focus on the root causes of this and there’s a lot of work to be done there. But I have no intention of taking the Second Amendment and cutting it back or impinging on it in any way. The red flag issues don’t suit me at all.”
- Criticizing former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has broken from his party and frequently expressed concerns about Trump, Hagerty said, “I’m sure all of you supported Mitt Romney back in 2012 just like I did. I can’t tell you how disappointed I am when Republicans take that sort of position against our president. It hurts us not just here in America, it hurts us overseas.” Hagerty’s campaign strategist, Ward Baker, who served as an adviser to Romney’s 2012 campaign, applauded the line.
- Asked by an audience member if he and his family are prepared for the animosity directed toward Republicans from “these animals” who are “impossible to deal with,” Hagerty said, “That’s one of the big reasons we’re not taking our family to Washington, D.C.” He indicated his wife and children would remain in Tennessee if he’s elected.
- Hagerty discussed the blowback the Trump campaign received after the infamous Access Hollywood tape released in 2016 that captured the Republican nominee discussing women, saying “grab them by the pussy.” Hagerty, who was Trump’s state finance chairman during the campaign, said, “That weekend I was chastised in the editorial page here in the Nashville Tennessean for not dropping away from the president, not walking away from the president…I didn’t do that….The next Monday I went back and helped rebuild our team. It really had an impact on us.”
- Discussing divisiveness in America, Hagerty said among the driving factors is technology that drives consumers to sensational headlines and clickbait, as well as lack of fact checking.
Speaking of a quick fact check: Hagerty’s claim about being chastised in 2016 for supporting Trump after the Access Hollywood tape is partially accurate. In an opinion column — which is not the same as an editorial — published on Oct. 8, 2016 by former columnist Frank Daniels III, Hagerty was only briefly mentioned.
“On Friday, for example, Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker agreed to join the GOP nominee’s national security advisory council, and Bill Hagerty, who served as Gov. Bill Haslam’s head of economic development, is heading up Trump’s transition team for presidential appointments,” he wrote. “Though I know neither well, I know them well enough to say that they are decent men whose judgement and character we can trust.
But, boys, you should heed what your momma told you.”
Hagerty faces Nashville trauma surgeon Manny Sethi, among others, in next year’s GOP Senate primary. They are vying to succeed U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is not seeking reelection.
Durham campaign finance hearing set
State campaign finance officials will hear expelled former lawmaker Jeremy Durham‘s appeal to reduce a record-setting $465,000 penalty on March 27 at 10 a.m., according to a scheduling order signed earlier this month by Bill Young, executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.
Young’s order calls for attorneys to file initial briefs by Jan. 17 and their replies by Jan. 31.
Casada makes a pitch
Former House Speaker Glen Casada, R-Franklin, is continuing to recruit work from his colleagues. In a newsletter he sent out recently, Casada tells lawmakers about his new business, Right Way Consulting. The Williamson County Republican, who is still mulling a reelection bid, said he has surveyed politically active individuals to better inform his company.
Casada offers a recommendation to his colleagues who are thinking of holding a fundraiser ahead of the 2020 legislative session. With lawmakers prohibited from receiving donations once the General Assembly convenes, many members hold fundraisers the day before.
“I suggest the week before session begins as a great time for your event because there won’t be as many competing fundraisers,” he said, adding that he’d be honored to help members plan any fundraisers.
The governor and prayer
Gov. Bill Lee last week attended a leadership luncheon hosted by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. The public policy arm of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination invited Lee to talk with ERLC president Russell Moore.
As part of the discussion, Lee was asked about prayer and how he wants people to pray for him. Lee, who believes in the power of prayer, asked Tennesseans to pray for the betterment of the state instead of praying for him.
In addition, Lee talked about his own recent prayers, explaining how he had read about a school shooting in another state.
“And so I spent time this morning just asking God to grant his favor on our state. That we wouldn’t have a school shooting,” Lee said.
What else you should check out
- Gov. Bill Lee on ‘heavy’ execution decisions, where faith and government intersect
- Both oppose abortion, but differences emerge on the issue among GOP candidates in Tennessee’s US Senate race
- Nashville Then: Jimmy Hoffa’s Teamster ties and trials in Tennessee date back to 1950
- 15 Democrats and 3 Republicans. See who is on Tennessee’s presidential primary ballot
- Tennessee to pay white nationalist group $46,000 in legal fees after judge’s ruling
- Gov. Bill Lee says DHS TANF spending plan not a done deal, will get input from legislature
The holidays at the governor’s residence
Lee and first lady Maria Lee have the governor’s residence decorated for the holidays. Check out the photos.
Don’t miss
A once aspiring attorney and the son of a political reporter, Russell Humphrey has served as the Chief Clerk of the Senate since 1999. Listen to his take on his job and the state in our latest episode of Grand Divisions.
Got a tip?
Got a tip or a story we should check out? Email us at statehouse@tennessean.com.
Published 11:24 AM EST Dec 9, 2019
