It has been a busy, yet very exciting month here at the Tennessee Republican Party. Campaign season is now in full swing and our staff has been working around the clock to prepare for the upcoming state primary elections and the November general elections. We’ve not only taken on new staff, but we’ve also got a great team of interns who are helping with the ever-growing workload.

I’m pleased to let you know that the 34th annual Tennessee Republican Party Statesmen’s Dinner, which was held last Friday evening was a complete success! The event garnered more than 1,400 guests and raised approximately $650,000 – money that will go directly to funding critical campaigns across the state. Guests heard from keynote speaker Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Republican members of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, and also mingled with Republican members of the General Assembly as well as candidates for offices across Tennessee. The message, “Our Time in Tennessee,” reverberated throughout the event. The people of this state want to take back their country and Republicans are ready to lead at every level to be their voice in that effort. In addition to GOP unity, the event also highlighted 11 individuals who were presented with Statesman of the Year awards in recognition of exceptional service and involvement with the Republican Party. The 11 winners from Tennessee’s nine congressional districts follow:

• 1st District – Mrs. Vella Calfee
• 2nd District – Mr. Earl Sharp
• 3rd District – Mr. Richard Chinn, Jr.
• 4th District – Mrs. Jan Clifton
• 5th District – Mr. Juan Borges & Mr. Raul Lopez
• 6th District – Mayor Ernest Burgess
• 7th District – Mr. Doug Grindstaff
• 8th District – Mr. Bill Sanderson & Mr. Tim Wirgau
• 9th District – Mrs. Kelly Hankins

I want to thank again our dinner chairman, Senate Majority Leader Mark Norris and everyone who helped make the dinner a success including our State Executive Committee members, County Party Chairmen, the Tennessee Federation of Republican Women, the Tennessee Young Republican Federation and party activists and donors across the state.

Part of our preparation for this campaign season is a newly revamped TNGOP website. In-house staff spent weeks redesigning and updating the existing website in an effort to give voters like you access to a more user-friendly online Tennessee Republican Party. Please feel free to take a look around at the new site and offer any suggestions on how we can make www.tngop.org a more effective website. In addition to a newly revamped website, the TRP is utilizing other online social media to spread our message of limited government and fiscal responsibility. We now have more than 4,700 Facebook fans and nearly 2,500 Twitter followers.

We’re pulling out all the stops this year in order to ensure victory for Republicans across the state. We’re motivated and prepared for a very exciting election and while we don’t take any of Republicans’ noted momentum for granted, we’re in a great position for success in the fall.

As a reminder, the state primary election will be on August 5th with early voting running from July 16th – 31st. There is additional information below on these important dates, polling information and candidates running for office.

We wish you a very safe and happy Independence Day holiday and as always, I want to express my appreciation for everything you do to support the Tennessee Republican Party.

Sincerely,

Chris Devaney
Chairman
Tennessee Republican Party

TENNESSEE REPUBLICAN PARTY HOSTS 34TH ANNUAL STATESMEN’S DINNER: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was the keynote speaker to a crowd of more than 1,400 who also heard from other Tennessee Republican leaders. The State Party raised approximately $650,000 which will fund critical campaigns across the state.

IN THE NEWS:

• “Tennessee GOP urged to work hard to consolidate power this year,” – Memphis Commercial Appeal (06/26/10)
• “Turnout for TN GOP fundraiser signals party’s confidence,” – Tennessean (06/26/10)
• “GOP Statesmen’s Dinner Draws 1,400, Raises $650,000,” – Knoxville News Sentinel Blog (06/26/10)
• "Pawlenty, in Tennessee, stresses Republican unity,” – Associated Press (06/26/10)

TNGOP UNVEILS NEWLY REVAMPED WEBSITE: In-house staff have worked hard over the last few weeks to give our website a makeover and more importantly make it more user friendly for constituents. Please take a look around at www.tngop.org and don’t forget to check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

On the TNGOP Website:

• Latest news from the TNGOP headquarters.
• How to join the TNGOP.
• How to volunteer with the State Party.
• Information on registering to vote.
• Information on TNGOP events across the state.
• Information on Republican county parties in TN.
• And more!

TENNESSEE STATE PRIMARIES ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER: State primary day is just 36 days away! Early voting runs from July 16th – 31st.

State primary information:

• State primary day – August 5, 2010
• Early voting – July 16-31, 2010
• View an official list of candidates from the Tennessee Department of Elections.
• View information on registering to vote.
• Find contact information here for your local election commission if you have questions about polling locations during early voting and primary day.

LATEST NEWS FROM THE TNGOP:

• Bredesen Endorsement Won’t Help McWherter – Press Release (06/23/10)
• Devaney on WKRN: “The Republican Party is Strong in Tennessee & We’re Pleased That Gov. Pawlenty of Minnesota is Coming” – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/21/10)
• Dem Gubernatorial Candidate Mike McWherter on the Wrong Side of the Issues – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/17/10)
• McWherter Bombshell: Dem Gubernatorial Candidate Has No Intention of Fighting Obamacare if He Becomes Governor – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/15/10)
• Sontany Comments Inappropriate & Disrespectful – Press Release (06/14/10)
• Democrats Solidify Support of Obamacare, Derail Health Care Freedom Act – Press Release (06/10/10)
• McWherter Says Immigration Policy Should Be Left to Federal Government, States Shouldn’t Be Involved – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/10/10)
• In Tough Election Year for Dems, Herron Tries to Walk Both Sides of the Fence on Government-Run Health Care – Press Release (06/09/10)
• McWherter Masquerades as Small Business Advocate, But Supported Bredesen Budget with Business Tax Hikes – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/09/10)
• Democrats Vote Against Bill to Protect Tennesseans from Government-Run Health Care – Press Release (06/08/10)
• Should Felons Have to Pay Court Costs as a Step to Getting Their Voting Rights Back? Some Dems Say No – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/07/10)
• Mike Who? Another Prediction Gives McWherter Slim Chance in Gubernatorial Bid – TRP Chairman’s Alert (06/04/10)

Please take a look at your Republican U.S. House and Senate Members’ websites to find out what they’ve been doing on your behalf over the last month.

• Rep. Marsha Blackburn
• Rep. John Duncan
• Rep. Phil Roe
• Rep. Zach Wamp
• Senator Lamar Alexander
• Senator Bob Corker

TRACKING CHAIRMAN DEVANEY:
During the month of June, Chairman Devaney has attended a number of events around the state. Following is a list of some events in which Chairman Devaney was involved:

06/04 – Guest Speaker at the Hamblen County Republican Party Picnic
06/12 – Attended the RNC’s “Say it Loud” training in Jackson, TN
06/12 – Guest Speaker at the White County Republican Party Annual Davy Crockett Dinner
06/17 – Attended event for State House Candidate Jim Gotto
06/19 – Guest Speaker at the Sullivan County Republican Party Reagan Day Dinner
06/25 – Hosted Tennessee Republican Party 34th Annual Statesmen’s Dinner

NASHVILLE, TN – Today the Tennessee Democratic Party went on the attack against formidable Republican challenger for State House District 75, Tim Wirgau. However, the “fact-check attack” drastically missed the mark by not actually fact checking a speech that occurred 20 days ago.

“This is one of the most laughable ‘attacks’ I’ve ever seen,” said Tennessee Republican Party Executive Director Gregory Gleaves. “I believe the TNDP’s minds have been clouded by the cobwebs that have developed over the last 20 days since Mr. Wirgau’s speech was given. And only the Tennessee Democratic Party would come up with a way to ‘fact-check’ a speech without actually mentioning a single line from the speech itself. If this is a sign of things to come from the TNDP, perhaps we should just swear Tim Wirgau into the General Assembly now.”

Gleaves continued, “We greatly appreciate the TNDP sending out Tim Wirgau’s campaign kickoff speech so that voters in the district will hear from a strong candidate and successful small businessman who wants to bring jobs to the area and advocate conservative policies in Nashville. This is in stark contrast to Rep. Borchert whose liberal voting history demonstrates support for Obamacare, protecting abortion coverage provided by Obamacare, and protecting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes.”

Some of Rep. Borchert’s most notable liberal votes follow:

• Voted against HB 2622 – Protects Tennesseans from Washington Democrats’ government takeover of health care. See the vote tally here.
• Voted against HJR 704 – Resolution expressing opposition to Washington Democrats’ government takeover of health care. See the vote tally here.
• Voted against HB 0670 – Requires jailors to notify homeland security of prisoners who are in the country illegally or cannot produce proof of citizenship. See the vote tally here.
• Voted against HB 2681 – Prohibits coverage for abortion services under health care plans required to be established in Tennessee by Washington Democrats’ government takeover of health care. See the vote tally here.