Will a Republican go after Burchett in 2024? He already has a Democratic challenger

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, who will face active Democratic opposition in 2024, may also face Republican primary opposition in August over his lack of loyalty to the House GOP caucus, particularly when he voted to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker.

McCarthy has now resigned, leaving the GOP with a shrinking majority that could fall to two votes if recently expelled Republican George Santos is replaced by a Democrat in a special election. Some Republicans also feel Burchett is more interested in UFOs than securing help for his congressional district.

Burchett most recently voted against the National Defense Authorization bill, which included a 5.5% pay raise for the military. Burchett promotes veterans but voted “no” on their salary increases while fellow GOP Tennessee Reps. Chuck Fleischmann and David Kustoff voted for it.

Jane George, 61, is seeking to be the Democratic alternative to Burchett, 59. George points out that she knew Burchett when both were students at Bearden High School and she was president of the student body. She attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for two years but graduated from UCLA and lived in Los Angeles for 20 years before moving back in 2001. She has a son and daughter and lives in East Knoxville.

Longtime Democratic activist Sylvia Woods is her treasurer. She says George will need $1.5 million for her campaign. Her kickoff reception is 6-8 p.m. Jan. 17 at Bistro at the Bijou on Gay Street.

George plans an intensely active campaign challenging Burchett on issues such as the Covenant School shooting, after which Burchett said “we are not going to fix it. There is nothing Congress can do.”

She opposes Russian aggression in Ukraine.

She believes in transparency when it comes to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Burchett has introduced legislation to make TVA disclose high salaries but has been inactive on the issue. The GOP-controlled House has not held a hearing on it despite Burchett’s sponsorship.

Assistant Police Chief Mark Fortner retires this month, ending a 30-year distinguished career. Chief Paul Noel faces choosing a replacement with the opportunity to name a Black person to this top-level position. Civil service rules have been changed to allow someone outside the current KPD to be hired, and Noel has been working hard to increase the diversity of the force and its command ranks.

The new fire hall for Burlington in East Knoxville will be a great and needed addition. Mayor Indya Kincannon and former Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Gwen McKenzie deserve praise for this decision.

Fire protection is a service city residents receive as part of their taxes. City leaders say the design of the new fire hall will reflect traditional fire hall architecture.

Two popular Knox County citizens in their 90s celebrated birthdays a day apart this month. Philanthropist and Pilot Oil founder Jim Haslam turned 93 on Dec. 13, and cartoonist Charlie Daniel turned 94 on Dec. 14.

Both in different ways have contributed greatly to East Tennessee. Haslam’s support of so many projects such as the University of Tennessee and Lakeshore Park have been pivotal in bringing progress. Through his cartoons, Daniel created many smiles and laughs as well as keeping politicians honest.

Knoxville lost a real civic leader and good friend with the death of Pace Robinson, 65, after a heart attack last month. He was CEO of Modern Supply and chair of the KUB board as well as a leader in Heska Amuna Synagogue. His civic activities were numerous. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Birthdays 

Dec. 28: Restaurant owner Mike Chase is 77. County Commissioner Kim Frazier is 51. Jonathan W. Mayfield is 43. Blake Bookstaff is 55. Diana Samples and Marilyn Kallet are 77.

Dec. 29: Architect Randall De Ford is 64. Attorney Catherine Mizell is 74. Sonny Trotter is 75. Sullivan’s restaurant owner Charles Irvine is 72. Jim Ethier is 81. Jeffrey S. Hecht is 71. Drew Thurman is 48.

Dec. 30: George L. Lewis III is 68. Lisa Jerrolds is 58. Kendall Crisp is 33.

Dec. 31: Former Congressman Heath Shuler is 51. Jamie Rowe is 75. Attorney Ward Phillips is 70. Coleen Martinez is 45. James H. Brown is 77. Michael Smith is 71.

Jan. 1: I am 79. Attorney Lewis Howard is 65. Former second lady Karen Pence is 67. Ilana Brodt is 66. U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger is 64. Janan Dakak is 69.

Jan. 2: Kim Trent is 57. Attorney Kyle Carpenter is 73. State Sen. Becky Massey is 69. Attorney Robert Kahn is 70. Dr. Don Horton is 72. Fort Kid organizer Beth Waters is 72.

Jan. 3: Pete Psihogios is 76. James E. Battle is 91. Melinda Grimac is 61. Former city recorder Cindy Mitchell is 65. Arthur Grayson is 90. Scott Hahn is 62. Howard Hull is 92.

Happy New Year!

Victor Ashe is a former Knoxville mayor and former ambassador to Poland. He is a columnist for Shopper News. 

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Could Tim Burchett face a Republican challenger in 2024?