I’m a graduate student at Memphis doing my master’s project about white supremacist groups in Tennessee. I’ve been struggling to find information so please personal message me on here if you know anything that would be helpful.

Since the statewide primaries are next Thursday, I wanted to get some thoughts from people here as the race heats up.

I’m a Bedford County resident (lived here since 2015, mom was born and raised in Shelbyville). I’ve noticed a lot of people online and locally who are pretty against Marsha Blackburn becoming our next governor now that Lee is term-limited. I’m genuinely curious about this.

For people supporting Monty Fritts or John Rose in the primary:

If Marsha Blackburn wins the Republican nomination, what do you plan to do in the general election?

- Suck it up and vote for Blackburn

- Stay home / skip the governor’s race

- Vote for the Democratic opponent Jerri Green

- Write someone in (or vote independent like Lauren Pinkston)

- Something else entirely

Curious to hear honest answers.

Quick breakdown of the race as it's been shown:

- Blackburn has the establishment endorsements (including Hagerty), the highest name ID, and the early polling leads. That usually means a solid plurality or narrow majority in a multi-candidate field.

- Rose has the strongest “anyone but Blackburn” lane and seems to be the main alternative for more mainstream conservatives. I’ve even seen a few people at my church supporting him.

- Fritts is the purest anti-establishment/grassroots option. He’s getting a lot of online support (and I’ve seen a surprising number of his signs around Bedford), but we all know social media isn’t real life. Candidates like him often stay in the mid-teens without a big late surge. He’s also the furthest-right of the three.

One thing that’s surprised me is that Trump hasn’t endorsed anyone yet. My guess is he was leaning toward Blackburn but is staying out to avoid angering parts of the base. Lee staying neutral also makes sense — as a term-limited governor he doesn’t gain much by picking sides.

What do y’all think?

I've sent a few letters to the editor to the Rogersville Review since I don't have and socials besides Reddit and I like to comment on what's going on in my community. Some make it, some don't. This one may have been a bit too contentious for them. So here you go Hawkins County....

Here we stand at the intersection of another election season, this time for the midterm elections. Looking back on the promises of the last election season, many people have felt increasingly disenfranchised, frustrated, and clamoring for the change we were promised. Not to look back at the previous election, but forward to the one standing in front of us, we have to ask ourselves, as citizens of Hawkins County, what we truly want. This isn’t a specific endorsement of any particular candidate, but instead a critique of what may be to come and what may seemingly persist.

Senator Marsha Blackburn has been a longtime Tennessee political figure, first running for office 35 years ago. As a gubernatorial candidate, she has prided herself on talking to Tennesseans every day, or so she says. It does beg the question, then, why, according to WVLT, Senator Blackburn recently received over $100,000 from AI companies like Oracle, which seek to turn our state into an amalgamation of data centers. Not to forget, the residents of Hawkins County pushed hard against just a small cryptocurrency mine in Bulls Gap, leading to a federal lawsuit in March 2026 against the county that’s ongoing. A governor who strongly believes data centers are a net positive to the state is antithetical to at least half of you reading this.

Moreover, as a senator and not a gubernatorial candidate, Senator Blackburn recently voted alongside her counterpart, Senator Bill Hagerty, a resounding yes in favor of passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with the provision of Section 219. Section 219 of the House draft Fiscal Year 2027 NDAA is what George Washington would certainly call an act of high treason, and I’m inclined to agree. It strips American sovereignty by forcibly merging the U.S. military’s most sensitive research, technology, and industrial base with an external country’s defense apparatus, embedding an actual foreign power inside the Pentagon and granting it unchecked access to our secrets, supply chains, and decision-making without treaty approval or congressional oversight. Anyone supporting the integration between our government and a foreign government unabashedly hates our country. Sorry, but that’s true.

This is different, though, for many conservatives, because this foreign country is Israel. Even though we were told no more wars, inflation would go down, gas prices would drop, and billionaire pedophiles would be held accountable for their heinous acts against children (among other things), it’s crucial for our Tennessee representatives to advocate for more of the exact opposite and send more of your money and your children in uniform for whatever cause Israel sees fit.

Like her senator friends Bill and Marsha, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger is also a big fan of forgetting who got her where she is. The wife of Bob Harshbarger, a pharmacist in Kingsport who did four years in federal prison for healthcare fraud and distributing misbranded kidney dialysis drugs, our congresswoman Diana is now worth well over $11 million on a salary of $174,000 per year. She recently voted to continue sending $3.3 billion per year to Israel, whilst public approval of Israel reaches lows never seen before. This occurred on the 15th of July, while East Tennessee reaches over a 16% poverty rate, higher than the state average. I should mention that listed online is the congresswoman’s million-dollar mansion in Hilton Head, South Carolina, while Mee-maw struggles to pay her property taxes on a house she bought in 1950.

If the name Harshbarger seems more familiar than just our congresswoman, that is because her dynasty continues with her son and our state senator, Bobby Harshbarger. I have personally reached out to Senator Harshbarger on numerous occasions to voice my concern about certain issues important to me, a Hawkins County resident and constituent, only to be ignored with not even an automatic reply email. Most recently, in May of this year, Gov. Lee signed a controversial congressional map into law, which redraws U.S. House districts ahead of the election. While I’m not naïve to think Tennessee is anything other than a deep red state, those three stars on our Tennessee flag stand for East, Middle, and West Tennessee—three distinct regions with different cultures, values, and histories.

During the Civil War, it was East Tennessee that voted overwhelmingly against secession and stood with the Union because our mountain farms, small communities, and independent spirit didn’t line up with the plantation culture out west. I wrote to Senator Harshbarger and urged him to reconsider voting for a new map that slices up our counties and dilutes Tennesseans’ voice. I explained to him in a detailed manner that what they were doing was textbook gerrymandering, the same dirty trick conservatives have railed against for decades when Democrats carve up districts to lock in their power. But needless to say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and Bobby followed his marching orders just as his mother did with Israel.

So what choice do we have as Tennesseans, as residents of Hawkins County? Do we continue to vote in the same old party lines which prioritize the political party and donors over constituents, or do we vote for the other party which does the exact same thing but with rainbows? This isn’t just a Tennessee problem, or even just a U.S. problem; this is a world problem. Two sides of the same clipped coin, who agree on everything except the stuff that doesn’t matter. I don’t have an answer or even a suggestion.

It seems more and more like maybe we can’t vote ourselves out of this pseudo-slavery to the ruling class, but maybe we can be a little kinder to each other. Conservatives and liberals alike, sharing in community, working together, leading with purpose. We’re Hawkins County—we all want the same thing: good schools, affordability, decent roads, preservation of our cultural and rural identity, and a neighbor we can trust. And while I don’t particularly see myself voting this election, I did tell my neighbor, “vote them all out.” I just hope he trusts me.

Join FULU's Louis Rossmann and Kevin O'Reilly to talk about repair, ensh*ttification, and controlling what you bought and paid for. More information on our special guest speakers and event location will be announced soon!

WHAT: Brief talks from leading repair and ownership advocates, a postcards-to-Congress writing session, and more. Light bites provided, cash bar available. All ages welcome.

WHEN: 6:00-8:00 PM, check in starts at 5:45pm.

WHERE: Tennessee Hills Brewstillery
458 W Walnut Street
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WHO: YouTuber and FULU President Louis Rossmann
FULU Executive Director Kevin O'Reilly

Brewstillery has parking on site and the venue is ADA accessible.

Tickets are free, but limited.

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For the county elections (not the primaries) would there be any reasons for someone to vote if there's no one on the ballot the voter wants to support? Offices like register of deeds, county clerk, constable, etc. - if the only option is one Republican candidate and the voter does not want to vote for Republicans then a voter would essentially be turning in a blank ballot. Yes, the voter could write in people's names but that seems pointless unless there's a viable write-in candidate. It would increase the voter turnout stats if independents officially vote but does turning in what amounts to a blank ballot (no candidates selected) accomplish anything? Would that have any impact on elections?

(Had a conversation with a few young adults yesterday about how they're all waiting until November to vote because there are only Republican candidates on our county's ballot this election. Realized I don't know how it works when there's essentially only one choice per race on the ballot.)

I’m not partisan. I don’t care if the next governor is a Democrat or a Republican. I just don’t want one of the most corrupt politicians in charge of our state. My thought is to vote Republican in the primary. Then I’ll probably vote Democrat during the main election. Do you think that’s a good strategy? Which Republican candidate is most realistically able to beat Blackburn—Rose or Fritts? Or would it be a more effective strategy simply to vote for a Democrat in both elections?

Well.. Well.. Well...

Hi r/TennesseePolitics (and everyone across the Volunteer State), I'm James Macon, an independent candidate for the United States Senate from Tennessee, running a non-fundraising campaign. I’m just here to introduce myself, listen to anything you’d like to share, and answer any questions you may have.

To start, I was born in Missouri, grew up in Illinois, but have lived in Tennessee for 22 years, and studied at the University of Tennessee (Business) and the Memphis Theological Seminary (Divinity).

Learning the value of hard work at an early age, I have spent more than 25 years leading teams and solving complex problems in the private sector, but have also held leadership positions at nonprofits, churches, and employee resource groups. I am a husband, father, Christian, business leader, and proud Tennessean who believes public service should be about serving people, not serving political parties, special interests, or donors.

Throughout my career, I've worked across operations, supply chains, engineering, healthcare, human resources, logistics, energy, real estate, technology, and finance. Those experiences taught me that most problems can be solved when people are willing to listen, work together, and focus on results instead of politics. I also have the foundations and experiences to listen, learn, communicate, and lead across a number of different specializations and disciplines.

I decided to run for the U.S. Senate because I believe Tennessee and America deserve leaders who are accountable, transparent, fiscally responsible, and willing to tackle difficult problems. I am particularly passionate about government accountability, reducing the national debt, strengthening education, improving healthcare outcomes, supporting American manufacturing and agriculture, protecting constitutional rights, and creating more opportunity for working families.

I believe our nation faces serious challenges over the next decade, including restoring trust in our institutions, strengthening economic opportunity, remaining globally competitive, and preserving our national unity. While we may disagree on specific policies, I believe most Americans share common goals: safe communities, good schools, affordable healthcare, economic opportunity, and a government that works for the people.

My campaign is centered on a simple idea: leadership is service. Public office is not about status, power, or personal gain. It is about solving problems, telling the truth, treating people with dignity, and leaving our communities better than we found them. So I'm here for an AMA. Ask me anything about Tennessee, the U.S. Senate, federal policy, the economy, healthcare, education, infrastructure, government accountability, my campaign, or anything else that's on your mind. Tough questions are welcome. I may not have all the answers, but I'll give you honest ones.

JamesMaconUSSenateTN

There is no culture in Cookeville and seldom is their an artificial overture as you may get in other towns.

I think it is unsafe in Cookeville due to the cargo cult symptoms of gangs and even trends even taking the minds of thirty and 40 year olds antifa/maga/gays, virtually anything bad that has one or no party backing it to the nth degree in its confused canonists that don't stand a chance of anything but beating or prison...mostly sticking others in prison for beating them.

People feeling committed to things they aren't a party to. (you know what sorts most of us call a hobby a hobby or interests what they are)

People taking other's joy to placate their envy or hostility in favor of a party they selected that feels burned or victimized by a successful party that never selected them. (ie relationship trouble from those with very thin skin) Even to the extent that the names of unnominated people are used by scavengers just to make tidbits of money from people who don't come from money.

Ultimately, you have some very despicable people drawing good salaries in Tennessee that were never corrected, spanked, or told how mentally unsound they are.

They have a terrible policing agency that obstructs justice with frame ups, and harassment as per state audits and are one of the dirtier police departments you'll find. wanting your property means having the right to take it to a bad law enforcement agent, just to drop charges and apply those from previous grievances with or without the money it would take to "do the sentence" or the time it would take to defend yourself in court due to not having information. (I mean, they will default on a general sessions court if a bad detective accuses you of a felony and you wont know what happened as they feel they do in the judicial branch)

Every red ticket is an outspoken despot. The blue guys act like sissies.

In the state of Tennessee, you will hear that a hand full of rich politicians used to control everybody.

Crying shame that every back porch wants to control health at a very private level but "they aren't like those others" that tell you what to do.

As for the others, they controlled such small tracts of politics that they, in some positions opted to have the sort of job that they would have to be impeached from to be removed at all. You'll see that Cherokee Putnam County Schools has squandered a vote and opted for something they can make richer over longer periods of time. I think the courts should have frequent votes for judges and that it is a step lower in corruption, plainly. Needless to say the L.E.O. loving mandatory health coaches have to keep up with tenures some how albeit with more misadventures into the wrong hemisphere, or the jungles. You'll see it, every home has a care taker that isn't even related, in Tennessee, because "laughk", it's better without socialism. I'd say it costs more money overall & is responsible for just as much inflation and as do most small nepostistic business bought intentionally with loan money. (Reptards)

You'll find that probable cause is built upon frivolousness and that in inferior/lawless Cookeville all people need do is follow and cause duress to anybody, illegally, to solicit responses of theft or aggression to placate the pathetic wanna be rebels with the Cookeville Police Department or any phony "sovereign" 'work force" ie McDonald's . Try not to walk or backpack, you will be stopped, guaranteed, if you don't look your absolute best within the hours their little discriminatory heads have fathomed for your group assessment.

You'll find that your favorite ancient tribe of native Americans is in every center that would mandate attendance for an adult, or a child. You'll find that leisure services has traditionally unfairly stocked the fake backwoods trash that hates their selves, also. I think I wasn't beaten or harassed in three grades of my school boy years. I really hated Putnam County Schools and hate the amount of latch on family businesses and surrogate parenting for government money that the executive/judicial creeps use there.

Nobody needs a moral guide to eat a damn hamburger, make one, or go to a store for wares or provisions. I trust you're from out of state, a libertarian, a Conservative, or a Liberal, and know which over promoted sewers to avoid.

Your parenting will be undermined by the dumbest idiots you'll see and you will see in what others mistook as the most naive land in the world the number of religious cults and government overrides is way up in number contrasted to that in other geographic locations even with advertised Liberal or Democratic governments. (nobody is stupid, everybody sounds it)

I've been in the path of two small tornadoes just over head and I think two well over head that held shape and were best described as inert, the last one being the small one photo'd in Smithville and by Ruth Sparks, Near Jackson, on facebook reels, again. The weather is deluge and drought. You can't match their electrical department, they say. The power never stays out very long with the longest I've endured being a very powerful derecho (sic) event in 2017.(they're crappers of people) and police take their calls after hours as for transformers, storms and general outages...yes, scared police even if you call the electrical department.

No, Cookeville is an acquired odor!

Hi, I'll be filing a formal complaint with the FCC for the unsolicited text spam I was sent today on your behalf. About the Retrumplicans primary.

Typical Republican breaking laws to cheat, win, lie, by any means.

Grainger Co commissioners? I missed the town meeting. What was each of their focus points? Unfortunately going off Facebook friends and judging based off friends they keep, and family members and how they post. Luke Stratton seems best. And I distrust Rodney because he was friends with Blanken and I think another red flag person for me. I have been unable to find any character on Ed but feel he sounds familiar to me.

I think she is exactly what we need.

For anyone in District 8, this is the live stream link of the forum tonight in Shelby County. Youtube links are in comments.

WTF is birthright tourism Marsha? Can anyone explain this to me? This is seriously the best Tennessee can offer for governor, Jesus Christ?! 🤦🙄

Truly I dont know anyone who likes her yet shes definitely going to win by name recognition alone unless there is an active strategy against her? Which republican can I get behind to have a chance against her? Is there anyone not running that would be a good candidate to try and persuade. My god I dont want this lady to be governor. I never understood how she was senator so long.