Former President Trump Calls Tennessee Governor a 'RINO'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) Election surprises are nothing new in politics. But in addition to the expected surprises, like incumbents losing in the primary, a social media post from former President Trump has gotten a lot of attention here in the Volunteer State.

President Trump posted two messages on his social media site Truth Social Thursday night, praising Bobby Harshbarger for upsetting longtime Sen. Jon Lundberg in the District 4 Senate primary. In doing so, he also called Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee a RINO, or Republican in name only.

“It's a general behavior that Republicans do when they don't like each other,” said NewsChannel 5 political analyst Pat Nolan. “They say, 'Well, he's not a Republican, he's a Republican in name only.'”

The apparent break came when Gov. Lee endorsed Lundberg, who was the architect of the Tennessee Senate's version of the 2024 voucher expansion. Former President Trump endorsed his opponent Bobby Harshbarger, who is the son of East Tennessee Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger.

The post surprised Nolan, given that Lee and Trump are generally in sync politically.

“Donald Trump writes a lot of things that surprise people, and this is certainly one of them,” Nolan said. “I tend to think of this as a one-race situation, but maybe you should ask the governor?”

So NewsChannel 5 asked the governor's team how he reacted to the former president's post and whether the two men had any issues with each other. We got a one-sentence answer.

“As Governor Lee has said before, President Trump certainly has the right to weigh in on racial issues,” said Elizabeth Johnson, Lee’s press secretary.

Another good night for Lee

Aside from that moment, Governor Bill Lee still had a good evening.

“The governor, with his support in the House, got it 5-2,” Nolan said.

To win the governor's endorsement, candidates had to pledge support for expanding vouchers, so the question is whether that means his signature project can become a decisive victory in the next legislative session.

“I think the voucher proponents think they have a mandate to pass their scholarships, and I think they’re going to demand that something happen next term,” Nolan said. “I don’t know exactly what that’s going to look like, given the divisions you had last time. They may not know either.”

Gov. Lee endorsed incumbent Republican candidates who supported vouchers, including Rep. Scott Cepicky of Culleoka, Rep. Chris Todd of Jackson and Rep. John Gillespie of Shelby County, all of whom won their nominations. Lee also endorsed newcomers Lee Reeves of Williamson County, Aron Maberry of Clarksville and Chad Bobo of Old Hickory, who also won their nominations.

However, the governor endorsed Rep. Patsy Hazelwood of Signal Mountain, Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge and Sen. Jon Lundberg of Bristol, longtime incumbents and voucher supporters who lost their primaries.

Newcomer Jason Emert of Maryville also won Lee's endorsement, but lost his primary.

“The governor is proud that candidates who believe in school choice won statewide primaries last night. Together, we will empower Tennessee parents to choose the best education for their child, and that’s what he’s focused on,” Johnson, Lee’s spokesman, said in an additional statement to NewsChannel 5.

Fall of four holders

Well-known names on Tennessee's Capitol Hill failed to reclaim their party's nomination, including House Finance Chair Rep. Hazelwood, House Government Operations Chair Rep. Ragan, Sen. Frank Niceley and Sen. Jon Lundberg.

None of the Democrats seeking re-election lost their nomination.

Do you have more information on this story? You can email me at [email protected].

She's over 80 and legally blind. A Franklin woman continues to crochet for those in need

Here is a beautiful story that proves that everyone has something to give, no matter their age OR personal challenges. Austin Pollack introduces us to Ms. Sylvia Mooney. At 80 years old, she doesn't sit around. Instead, she uses her skills to create compassion for others, one stitch at a time. Her crochet creations are donated to non-profit organizations to help our homeless neighbors. You'll be surprised to learn that she does all of this while dealing with a serious health issue. Well done Sylvia!

-Rhori Johnston

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