Chris Devaney Is The New TNGOP Chairman
Posted on May 30, 2009 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
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.
Birther Announces Intention To Seek The Office Of Tennessee Republican Party Chair
Posted on at 12:57 pmShortly following the announcement that Robin Smith would resign as TNGOP party chair effective May 30, Rep. Eric Swafford sent the following letter to State Executive Committee members announcing his intention to seek the office of party chair.
Swafford recently made news by being one of the first Tennessee GOP lawmakers to sign on to a lawsuit questioning President Obama’s citizenship and eligibility to serve as President:
Dear State Executive Committee member:
Over the last several months, I have received inquiries from various friends and supporters as to whether or not I would consider running for Tennessee Republican Party Chair. I was humbled and honored that my fellow Tennessee Republicans had faith in me to perform the duties and obligations that being Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party requires. After prayerful consideration, and many discussions with my family, I have decided to announce my candidacy for Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.
Last November, Tennessee Republicans made gains as never before. We took a message across the state that ‘It Matters Who Governs,’ and Tennesseans agreed. We set our sights on two things: a majority in the State House, and increasing our majority in the State Senate. With the Tennessee Republican Party and the Republican Caucuses working together more closely than ever before, we were able to accomplish these goals with the help of thousands of Tennessee Republicans statewide who believed in our mission.
After overcoming a difficult first election myself, I understand the challenges we faced last year, and will continue to face as we look to the future to make more gains in both chambers. I have been tested, and have proven I can win a difficult campaign. When I ran in 2004, nearly every odd was stacked against me. I had very little name recognition, but I won because of hard work and a promise to the people in my district that I would always represent their values in the Tennessee General Assembly. I have kept that promise.
I believe I now can bring those values and that same hard work to the position of Tennessee Republican Party Chairman. The majority of Tennesseans believe in our goals: promoting fiscal responsibility, prosperity, and core Tennessee values. I believe in spreading that message from Mountain City to Memphis, growing our party and our majority in the state legislature more than ever before.
I humbly ask for your support to serve as your Tennessee Republican Party Chairman. I appreciate your consideration, and I look forward to speaking with each and every one of you over the coming days and weeks. I am ready to roll up my sleeves and start working on these goals on Day One. Together, with your support, we can make this happen.
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
Rep. Eric Swafford Joins The Obama Presidential Eligibility Fight
Posted on February 10, 2009 at 11:15 amIn case you were not aware, there are a group of people who think that President Barack Obama may not qualified to serve as President of United States as a natural born citizen of this nation.
They are using the courts to make Barack Obama publicly release documentation proving that he was, if fact, born in the U.S. and at no point renounced his citizenship.
Now, a member of our Tennessee legislature is among the conspiracy theorists.
Naifeh Republican Comes Back On Conservative Critics
Posted on July 22, 2008 at 8:52 amAdam Groves reports that Naifeh Republican Kent Williams has struck back against his conservative colleagues who came out with a press release castigating him for accepting a donation from Assistant Democratic House Caucus Leader John Litz.:
Williams turned to criticizing the lawmakers who criticized the donation, saying about Reps Chris Crider, Eric Swafford and Mike Bell that, “they haven’t accomplished very much in their home districts. It’s people like this who are killing our Republican Party … I dare say that if a Democrat introduced legislation to give every one in the state a goose that laid the golden egg, these three would vote against it.”
Groves reports additionally that Williams has also run “afowl” of a former conservative legislator for his unauthorized use of letter thanking him for an anti-abortion vote. Go get your daily dose here.
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Kent “No Political Aspirations” Williams Under Fire From Fellow Party Members
Posted on July 15, 2008 at 8:55 pmA confederation of conservative Republican state legislators tonight are rebuking a fellow caucus member calling on him to return an unusual donation to his reelection campaign account. Recently filed campaign finance reports for freshman Rep. Kent Williams reveal a $250 campaign donation from Representative John Litz, the Assistant Majority Leader for the House Democratic Caucus. Via a press release from the conservative confederates:
“This is an outrage,” said State Representative Eric Swafford (R-Pikeville). “It is a slap in the face to his colleagues in the House Republican Caucus. By accepting this money from a leader in the House Democratic Caucus, it seems that Rep. Williams is saying that he is okay with the Democrats killing common-sense proposals like SJR 127 and legislation that protects our Second Amendment rights.”
State Representative Chris Crider (R-Milan) cited Williams’ vote in January of 2007 for House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh, adding that this vote, coupled with the monetary donation from a member of the House Democratic Caucus, shows where he stands on the issues.
“You can’t claim to be pro-life and pro-Second Amendment, and then support and take money from those who repeatedly stop legislation that supports those values,” said Representative Mike Bell (R-Riceville).
All candidates are required to file campaign financial disclosure reports periodically, which are public record. All donations above $100 must be reported. Representative Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains) said that after the most recent filing deadline on July 10th, the donation to Williams showed up on his disclosure statement.
Swafford concluded, “I think we know where Kent Williams’ intentions and loyalties lie. They are certainly not on the side of conservative values.”
As noted, Rep. Williams, was one of the “Naifeh Seven” in this past Speaker’s election, an influential yet dwindling tribe of Republicans who pledge fealty to the all-powerful Speaker of the Tennessee State House by recognizing the inevitable and pushing the button for the longtime Democratic Speaker.
Rep. Williams is finishing up his first term in the legislature and faces a primary challenge from the man he beat in 2006, conservative former Rep. Jerome Cochran.
Cochran has some interesting donations in his own right. Incumbent Republican State Senator Paul Stanley has kicked in $250 to the Cochran campaign kitty. Cochran and Stanley served together in the House before Stanley was elected Senator. Republican Senator Rusty Crowe, in a 2007 Year End Supplemental Report, is also listed as a contributer to Cochran.
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