A New Role For Hobbs At TNGOP
Posted on June 4, 2009 at 3:27 pm
As of today, Bill Hobbs is no longer the Communications Director at the Tennessee Republican Party new party chairman Chris Devaney tells Post Politics.
Hobbs is not through with the party, however. He will be staying on with the party in a consulting role at least through the transition.
All other current employees will continue to serve in their current roles as the new chairman and his volunteer transition director Dean Rice continue to re-examine and reassess the organization of the Party.
Devaney, in a conversation with Post Politics, made clear that this is not a dismissal and that Hobbs will continue to work with the party.
“Bill Hobbs and I have a good working relationship and he will be continuing to help us as we work through our transition,” said Devaney.
Asked if this new relationship between Hobbs and the party has definite end date, Devaney said it was a personnel issue that he would not discuss in detail.
“What we are trying to do is build the best professional political and fund-raising team we can as we move towards victory in 2010,” explained Devaney. “Bill will continue to help us in pursuit of that goal.”
Hobbs tenure as Communications Director was not without controversy.
In February of last year, the TNGOP sent out a controversial press released entitled Anti-Semites for Obama in which the now President was referred to by all three of his names accompanied by a photograph of Obama wearing native Somali garb.
Both of Tennessee Senators as well as national Republican leaders denounced the release.
Later that year, the TNGOP took fire for a YouTube video produced by the party questioning the now First Lady’s pride of her country.
President Obama went on Good Morning America the next day and told the TNGOP to “lay off” his wife. Sen. Corker and others asked that the video to be removed.
Hobbs has been the Tennessee Republican Party’s Communication Director since October 2007. Prior to that he worked as a media relations specialist and blogging coach at Belmont University from January 2003 through April 2006.
Hobbs has also worked as a journalist with several news organizations including the Tennessean.
Hobbs lives with his wife and children just outside of Nashville. Hobbs could not be reached at the time of this posting.
UPDATE 5:14PM — Bill Hobbs comments on his new role:
“The Tennessee Republican party won a historic victory in the November 2008 election, against incredible odds. History has shown that successful revolutions often need new leaders and new strategies to sustain their victories, and Chairman Devaney is - with great energy and focus - moving rapidly to make the changes necessary so that the Tennessee Republican Party can hold and expand on the legislative majority we won in 2008.
The party made great strides in the use of the Internet in the last two years, but that’s just the foundation and a small piece of what is possible, and I look forward to helping Chairman Devaney and the party build on that foundation.
I also look forward to providing my experience and expertise in communications and new media to other political organizations, candidates and corporate clients.”
Devaney Wins: The Official TNGOP Press Release
Posted on May 30, 2009 at 3:31 pmFrom the desk of TNGOP Communications Director Bill Hobbs:
NASHVILLE, TN - The State Executive Committee of the Tennessee Republican Party elected a new party chairman Saturday, selecting Chris Devaney, U.S. Sen. Bob Corkers state director and a former executive director for the Tennessee Republican Party.
Devaney becomes chairman immediately, replacing outgoing Chairman Robin Smith, who served as the party chairman for 22 months and led the party to a historic victory in the November 2008 elections.
The election of 2010 is the most important for our state in generations, Devaney said, and we will be focused on building our majority in the General Assembly and electing a Republican governor.
In the worst political climate for Republicans in decades - in a year that would see Republicans lose the White House, lose both houses of Congress, lose 100 state legislative seats across the country, and lose the majority in three state legislatures to the Democrats - Chairman Smith lead the Tennessee Republican Party to winning a majority in both houses of the state legislature for the first time since the elections of 1868.
In remarks to the committee before the vote, Smith stressed that there is work left to be done keeping the Republican majority in the legislature, and electing a Republican governor in 2010 - and that the party must never stray from its principles.
“I love working with the grass roots,” said Smith, pledging to remain a Republican activist even after she leaves the chairmanship.
The Republican victories of 2008 ushered in a new era in Tennessee governance. Not only do Republicans have a majority in the state House and state Senate, for the first time the party also holds the state’s three constitutional officer seats and have a majority on all 95 county election commissions and the State Election Commission.
SEE ALSO: Devaney is the new TNGOP chairman.
Chris Devaney Is The New TNGOP Chairman
Posted on at 2:19 pm
Sen. Corker’s State Director Chris Devaney was elected chairman of Tennessee’s state Republican Party at the downtown Sheraton today in a squeaker of an election defeating current party treasurer Oscar Brock on the second ballot 28 to 25 with one write-in vote.
A third candidate, Rep. Eric Swafford was eliminated on the first ballot. Devaney will succeed Robin Smith in the role.
The campaign was briefly marred by accusations of financial mismanagement on the part of the current chairman as well as former Executive Director Devaney. Current Chief of Staff Mark Winslow was eventually moved to send an email to SEC members squashing the whisper campaign.
On the endorsement front, former Congressman Van Hilleary and National Committeeman John Ryder blessed the candidacy of Brock implying that other candidates might be biased in the upcoming governor race.
Devaney, meanwhile, boasted former Gov. Winfield Dunn as a supporter.
Devaney was a top aide to former U.S. Senator Fred Thompson and served as Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party under chairman Bob Davis. He and his wife Heather have four children and live in Chattanooga.
UPDATE:
Dru Fuller (FT: Devaney photo)
Andy Sher
The Associated Press
Chattanoogan
The official TNGOP release
Two-Time Loser And The Redistricting Guy Endorse Oscar Brock For TNGOP Chair
Posted on May 29, 2009 at 9:47 pmIn a letter to members of the state Republican Party Executive Committee, Former Congressman Van Hilleary and National Committeeman John Ryder endorse Oscar Brock for TNGOP chairman and, in so doing, strongly imply that one of the other candidates (Chris Devaney) has a preference (Bill Haslam) in the upcoming gubernatorial primary:
Finally, we must have a chairman who will be an unbiased, honest broker with our state party’s resources during the upcoming primary elections. This will be especially true for what will no doubt be a hard fought Republican Primary for governor next year. Oscar Brock will absolutely be that chairman on whom we can count to be neutral in all primaries, but ferocious in the general election for our Republican nominees to all offices.
The election is tomorrow at the Sheraton downtown at 1:00pm. Candidates include Brock, Devaney as well as Rep. Eric Swafford.
UPDATE: Rob Huddleston in the comments:
You miss an interesting point here. John and Van are only a matter of months removed from a tense contest for the National Committeeman spot, which both of them had held previously.
For both of them to come forward and endorse Oscar Brock is impressive. Basically, every member of the SEC voted less than a year ago for either John or Van. Will such an endorsement on the eve of the vote carry any weight?
Devaney Says He’s Got The Votes For TNGOP Chair
Posted on May 18, 2009 at 12:22 pmChris Devaney follows up his letter announcing his intention to seek the office of TNGOP party chair with a press release claiming that he has the votes to win a vote of the 66 member state executive committee. Oscar Brock has claimed he nearly has a majority in his own right.
United States Senator Bob Corker’s State Director, and former Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party, Chris Devaney, announced to the Republican State Executive Committee over the weekend he will seek the chairmanship of the Tennessee Republican Party. Devaney, a former top aide to Senator Fred Thompson, has extensive political, media, and fundraising experience during his 20 year career.
“I’ve worked in the trenches my whole career to prepare me for this moment. This next election is about the future of our state and our party. It is crucial we have someone with the necessary political and fundraising skills. Now is not the time for on the job training,” Devaney said.
In the 2006 election cycle, Devaney assisted in bringing in more than $4.5M dollars into the Tennessee Republican Party and its Victory ‘06 program, which provided financial and political support to state legislative candidates, as well as helping to secure Bob Corker’s winning campaign for U.S. Senate, who was the only Republican to win an open seat election in the nation.
“Our mission is clear: recruit, train and fund candidates to increase our majorities in both Houses of the General Assembly, and to make sure Republicans have the pen in hand when it comes time for redistricting. Make no mistake about it, we plan on taking back the governor’s mansion and increasing our Legislative majorities,” said Devaney.
In anticipation that current Chairman Robin Smith would vacate her position, Devaney has been traveling the state for the last few months meeting with State Executive Committee members and hearing their concerns.
“I have many long standing relationships with members across this state and am humbled to have the votes necessary from the SEC to win. Over the next two weeks, I will work hard to gain even more support. No person’s vote will be taken for granted,” said Devaney.
Devaney was a First Day Founder for Fred Thompson’s presidential campaign, a high level fundraising committee tasked with raising Thompson’s early campaign funds. He has also been a donor for Republican candidates and causes in Tennessee and other states.
A strong conservative and Lifetime Member of the National Rifle Association, Chris and his wife Heather are parents of four children and live in Chattanooga. He is a 1989 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. The Devaney family are members of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church.
SEE ALSO: Michael Silence
permalink | Comment on this post
Breaking Down The Race For TNGOP Chair
Posted on May 17, 2009 at 1:08 pmHumphrey does the honors on the race to replace Robin Smith:
At first blush, [Oscar] Brock may be the frontrunner. At least he says so, declaring that he already has commitments from 25 State Executive Committee (SEC) members. Thirty-four are needed for a majority.
As a member of the SEC, Brock is well known (and favorably so, for the most part) to the folks who make the decision.
[Chris] Devaney, in turn, presents the credentials of a professional political operative while [Rep. Eric] Swafford may be positioned to claim the backing of the party’s right wing.
Corker State Director Devaney Makes A Threesome For TNGOP Chair
Posted on May 16, 2009 at 5:47 pmBob Corker’s State Director and former Executive Director of the Tennessee Republican Party, Chris Devaney has officially entered the race for TNGOP chair. His opponents for the position which Robin Smith will vacate on May 30 are State Rep. Eric Swafford and Oscar Brock. Here is Devaney’s letter to the State Executive Committee making clear his intentions:
Dear State Executive Committee Member:
These are extraordinary and challenging times for our state and nation. We find ourselves at a crossroads of values being led by a president who seems determined to choose the path of ever growing government over the path of fiscal responsibility and individual freedom. Nationally, our Republican Party is striving to be a voice in the wilderness pointing us in a direction that will restore the values of Ronald Reagan - the values that made America great.
Here in Tennessee, though, we have tasted success. Tennesseans enjoyed a great Victory last year due to the tireless efforts of our State Republican Party, Republican State Legislators, and support of our Republican Congressional leaders. Their consistent conservative convictions and message were crucial in our accomplishment and should be held as an example for paving the way for majorities across the country.
As you know, Chairman Robin Smith is vacating her post to potentially run for the United States House of Representatives, which will be an exciting new chapter in her career. We are indebted to Robin for her work in the 2008 election as chairman of our Party. She has been a tireless warrior in our fight for many years and I want to personally thank Robin for her service and her friendship.
Robin’s departure means a vacancy in the chairmanship. This is a crucial time for Republicans. The 2010 election cycle is the most important in a generation and there is no time for on the job training in the post of chairman. Our Tennessee Republican Party must have a leader with proven campaign and fundraising experience, someone who can recruit the very best candidates, raise the necessary money, and win elections. This person must be a leader who can effectively manage a multi-faceted organization, while being an effective spokesman for our Party. We must also have a chairman who comes to the job with a deep desire to serve and a hunger to build on the victories of the recent past. That is why I am running for chairman of our Tennessee Republican Party. These are the strengths that I bring to the table. This is the experience needed right now for this important election and for building our majorities in the Tennessee General Assembly.
Professionally, for almost 20 years, I have had the privilege of supporting Republican values by supporting strong Republican leaders here in Tennessee and in Washington. I have worked to ensure that our values are carried to victory at the ballot box and implemented as policy after the election is over. From my time with the Tennessee Republican Party and three members of United States Senate, including Senator Bob Corker, to my work in the national media and running a business - my experience is broad and varied.
When I worked for Senator Fred Thompson, I learned a great deal about leadership and what it meant to stand on principle and never waiver from your core convictions. Fred taught me that our Republican ideals are not a random set of good ideas, but a closely knit set of principles that weave the fabric of our nation.
Tennessee has set an example for how Republicans can win majorities, but our job is far from finished. In many ways the real work lies ahead. We cannot rest on victory. We cannot slow down in our effort to grow and strengthen our Party, and most importantly, we cannot shy away from the principles that set us apart and the values that are the foundation of our success.
Many of you across our state have already voiced your support of my candidacy, and for that, my wife Heather and I are humbled and grateful. In the coming days, I look forward to continuing our talk about how we can work together in strengthening our Republican Party and advancing the principles that make Tennessee and our Nation so great.
Brock Makes It Official
Posted on at 2:30 pmFollowing close behind Rep. Eric Swafford, TNGOP state committeeman and Treasurer Oscar Brock has also announced his intention to seek the soon-to-be vacated post of TNGOP chairman. Joe Lance breaks the news:
Pledging to the members of the State Executive Committee a determination to carry forward and expand the winning policies of 2008, Brock begins his bid with commitments from more than 25 of the 34 votes required to win election as chairman. “Over the past two years, our party has defied the national trend by staying true to our conservative principles,” Brock said. “I intend to carry our party’s winning message to every corner of Tennessee with a pledge to build on the victories of 2008.”
Brock was elected Treasurer of the Tennessee Republican Party in December of 2008. He has served as the State Executive Committeeman for the 10th State Senatorial District since 2002. In announcing his candidacy, Brock noted, “As an elected member and officer of the Committee, I am best suited to direct the resources of the Tennessee Republican Party to achieve our goals: growing our legislative majorities and returning the office of the Governor to Republican control.”
The son of former United States Senator Bill Brock, Oscar Brock has served at all levels of the Republican Party, helping turn the Hamilton County GOP into one of the premier county party organizations in the state. Brock graduated from Stanford University in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1986 and earned his masters in business administration at Vanderbilt University 1996. He has built a successful commercial real estate business in the Chattanooga area. Brock and his wife Meg have been married eighteen years and have two children.
SEE ALSO: Andy Sher
TNGOP Chair Robin Smith To Resign Effective May 30
Posted on at 12:32 pmThe head of the Tennessee Republican Party Robin Smith informed members of the State Executive Committee her intention to step down as chairman of the TNGOP effective May 30.
She announced that intention to the Republican Party email list shortly thereafter in a letter. While the letter does not include an announcement of her intention to seek the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Rep. Wamp, it certainly makes a thinly-veiled reference.
“Over the past few months, I have received a great deal of encouragement to assess how I can be most effective as an advocate for Tennesseans moving forward. I feel that I owe those who have contacted me a thoughtful consideration of all options,” says Smith in the emailed release.
If (or when) Smith announces for the seat she will join Chuck Fleischmann and Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble on the Republican side. State Rep. Gerald McCormick has taken himself out of contention, while Rep. Bo Watson is reported still open to the possibility.
On the Democratic side, announced candidates include former Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance Paula Flowers and Brent Benedict.
As for Smith’s replacement as party chair, candidates who have already announced for the position include Bob Corker’s State Director Chris Devaney, Rep. Eric Swafford and TNGOP Treasurer Oscar Brock.
SEE ALSO:
Andy Sher
Sen. Mark Norris
Joe Lance
Chattarati
The AP
Ron Huddleston
Vulcan Hammer
Recent Comments
This is proof that there is occasionally a glimmer of hope in the Republicans.
I knew Cooper was too smart and compassionate to vote No on...
9, Begin. Please. I am more than happy to be educated on how...
Isn’t this a little late?
I predicted Cooper would jump in Nancy’s lap and do as she bid....
The...
Mikey, Do you get the reference? Goldni, The last accusations...
Oh, and apparently, the 218th vote was Bill Owens of NY-23....
Where in the Constitution does it say that someone has the...
I liked them supported TY Cobb