The parent organization of CHR—PAC, Citizens for Home Rule, Inc. is the largest independent organization promoting the rights of private property owners and the rights of individual citizens in the State. It was chartered as a not-for-profit corporation in 1980; now in its 36th year.
Citizens for Home Rule Political Action Committee (CHR—PAC) announces nine key endorsements in state House of Representative races, and six endorsements in State Senate races across the State.
These endorsements are made to candidates with the most favorable views on private property owners rights views based on our 2016 candidate survey and/or the record of Members of the Tennessee General Assembly this year. We urge voters to vote for these candidates because they exemplify solid leadership and understanding regarding private property ownership. Without private property, no citizen can truly enjoy the fruit of his own labor.
“We are engaged in a struggle for the heart and soul of the Republican super-majority in the General Assembly,” said John Avery Emison, the group’s treasurer. CHR—PAC along with a handful of other principled, small-government, conservative organizations across the state are leading this struggle.
The CHR-PAC Gold Standard endorsement goes to the candidates listed below. “We are proud to stand with these fine men and women, truly limited-government conservatives one and all,” Emison said.
State House endorsements in the Republican primary based on candidate survey results:
Rep. Gary Hicks, House District 9, Rogersville, 77 of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponent failed to respond.
Rep. Jeremy Faison, House District 11, Cosby, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponent scored only 32. Rep. Faison was the recipient of the Citizens for Home Rule, Inc. “2016 Rising Star — Leadership” Award earlier this year.
Rep. Mike Carter, House District 29, Ooletwah, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponent did not reply. Rep. Carter was the recipient of the Citizens for Home Rule, Inc. “2016 State Representative of the Year” award earlier this year.
Rep. John D. Ragan, House District 33, Oak Ridge, 81 of 83, unopposed in the primary.
Rep. Kelly Keisling, House District 38, Byrdstown, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponent did not reply.
Rep. Courtney Rogers, House District 45, Goodletsville, 80 of 83 on the candidate survey. Her opponent did not reply.
Rep. Sabi (Doc) Kumar, House District 66, Springfield, 80 of 83 on the candidate survey, unopposed in the primary.
Rep. Andy Holt, House District 76, Dresden, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey, unopposed in the primary. Rep. Holt was the recipient of the Citizens for Home Rule, Inc. “2016 Freedom Award”earlier this year.
Rep. Steve McManus, House District 96, Cordova, 80 of 83 on the candidate survey, unopposed in the primary.
State Senate endorsements in the Republican primary based on candidate survey results:
Scott P. Williams, Senate District 2, Maryville, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey. The incumbent Sen. Doug Overby refused to reply. Overby cast a key vote to kill Sen. Bo Watson’s deannexation bill earlier this year.
Tony Shipley, Senate District 4, Kingsport, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponents Jon Lundberg and John Paul Blevins each scored 68. A fourth candidate did not reply.
Sen. Frank S. Niceley, Senate District 8, Strawberry Plains, perfect score of 83 on the candidate survey, unopposed. Sen. Niceley was the recipient of the Citizens for Home Rule, Inc. “2016 State Senator of the Year” award earlier this year.
Sen. Jim Tracy, Senate District 14, Shelbyville, 81 of 83 on the candidate survey. None of his opponents replied.
Ron McDow, Senate District 20, Nashville, 80 of 83 on the candidate survey. The incumbent Sen. Steve Dickerson scored a very weak 54 and cast a key vote to kill Sen. Bo Watson’s deannexation bill earlier this year.
Sen. Mark E. Green, Senate District 22, Ashland City, 76 of 83 on the candidate survey. His opponent did not reply.
Other scores from the CHR-PAC candidate survey in rank order of score include:
Acceptable score, 60+
Steve Hall, former Representative, House District 18, Knoxville, 81 of 83.
Paul Sherrell, candidate for House District 43, Sparta, 75 of 83.
Daniel Williams, candidate for House District 79, Huntingdon, 75 of 83.
Andy Cole, candidate for House District 82, Alamo, 75 of 83.
Thomas E. Cooper, candidate for House District 94, Collierville, 75 of 83.
Rep. Tim Wirgau, House District 75, Buchanan, 75 of 83.
Jim Poe, candidate for House District 75, Springville, 75 of 83.
Steve Lynn, candidate for House District 47, Tullahoma, 74 of 83.
June Griffin, candidate for House District 31, Dayton, 74 of 83.
Tim Rudd, candidate for House District 34, Murfreesboro, 74 of 83.
Rep. Jerry Sexton, House District 35, Bean Station, 73 of 83.
Steve Gawreys, candidate for House District 61, Brentwood, 73 of 83.
Glen Gaugh, candidate for House District 61, Jackson, 73 of 83.
Rep. Jay Reedy, House District 74, Erin, 73 of 83.
Rep. Martin Daniel, House District 18, Knoxville, 70 of 83.
Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, House District 73, Jackson, 70 of 83.
Mark Lovell, candidate for House District 95, 66 of 83.
James Turner, candidate for House District 34, Murfreesboro, 65 of 83.
Shane Wilcher, candidate for Senate District 16, McMinnville, 63 of 83.
Bill Bernstein, candidate for House District 50, Nashville 63 of 83.
Rep. Mike Sparks, House District 49, Smyrna, 60 of 83.
Below 60
Joshua James, candidate for House District 34, Murfreesboro, 59 of 83.
Davette Blalock, candidate for House District 53, Nashville, 58 of 83.
Raymond E. Bauhs, candidate for House District 69, Lyles, 48 of 83.
Donald Ray McFolin, candidate for House District 60, Donelson, 45 of 83.
Other (unrated); survey was returned incomplete. (We appreciate the effort of all who returned the survey).
Robert Shutt, candidate for Senate District 26, Savannah.
Dianne George, candidate for House District 95, Collierville.
