RNC could snub Nashville again in 2028 after blot left by GOP lawmakers | Victor Ashe

Because of the controversy over race they created nationwide, the GOP state legislative supermajority’s actions against the Tennessee Three (Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson) may erase any chance that Nashville will be chosen to host the Republican National Convention in 2028.

Previously, the Nashville Metro Council and mayor were blamed for losing the 2024 convention, triggering several retaliatory actions by the legislature.

Now it is the Tennessee House GOP that has created a toxic political environment that could discourage the RNC from choosing Tennessee for 2028. Since it is five years away, this situation could change, but much will depend on what steps the legislature takes to calm troubled waters.

Some, including Johnson, have said that because she is white she may have escaped expulsion by one vote while the two Black freshmen lawmakers were expelled.

Certainly, this action had racist overtones, but I think the eight Republicans who did not vote to expel her were influenced far more by the fact that the resolution seeking to remove her was simply false. The video showed Johnson did not do what she was charged with doing.

Second, I think several thought this severe a punishment – to overturn an election she won – was unwarranted. Third, more than one GOP legislator clearly saw that this action would make martyrs out of all three and backfire on the GOP. The Tennessee Three are now part of political history in our state because of the majority’s unwise action.

Mayor Indya Kincannon's annual budget address is this week, April 26, at 1800 Vermont Ave. While the program starts at noon, attendees should plan on arriving at 11:30 for the brown bag lunch.

It is usually well attended and offers residents a chance to see a city initiative to renew and revamp Western Heights, the city’s largest public housing community.

County Mayor Glenn Jacobs’ budget address will be May 8 at the City County Building at 11 a.m.

Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty endorsed Donald Trump for the GOP 2024 presidential nomination after Trump’s visit to Nashville April 15. U.S. Reps. Diana Harshbarger and John Rose also weighed in for Trump. This is not a surprise as Blackburn and Hagerty are longtime Trump backers.

While Trump will likely carry Tennessee over President Joe Biden or any Democratic candidate, Trump’s chance of winning nationwide is far less certain. Many pundits say Trump carries lots of baggage and is the one Republican whom Biden could defeat. One should not underestimate Biden’s support.

Hagerty and Blackburn did not address or explain how they support Trump when he can be fairly blamed for the Democrats’ control of the U.S. Senate today. He endorsed five GOP Senate candidates in 2022 in Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire, Nevada and Pennsylvania who were weak and even unqualified – such as Herschel Walker in Georgia. They all lost. Independent and moderate voters did not accept such candidates.

Blackburn and Hagerty would be subcommittee chairs today if even two of these five candidates had won. If nominated, Trump may lose not only the presidency but also keep the GOP from keeping the House and recapturing the Senate.

Marshall Jensen, who had taken out a petition to run for city judge, has decided not to seek the position. Incumbent John Rosson, 75, is seeking his 10th term and is effectively unopposed. His salary is $92,000 a year.

Four people have taken out petitions to run for mayor: Kincannon, Constance Every, Jeff Talman and Kerry Williams. Every, who ran last year for governor as an independent, as well as Kincannon, turned in their petitions as of April 18. Talman and Williams had not.

Birthdays

April 28: Alex Zablah is 46. Tammy White is 57. Kerry W. Witcher is 64. Joletta W. Terry is 74. Marcia Tobin is 58. Nick H. Cazana is 79. Larry Headla is 52. State Supreme Court Justice-designate Dwight Tarwater is 68.

April 29: Rob Howard is 50. Willie Nelson is 90. TaKisha Fitzgerald is 49. Andrew E. Polnicki, director of MegaLab, is 56. Amanda L. Haskell is 35. County Commissioner Larsen Jay is 49. Retired firefighter Ernie Ault is 83. Jennifer Banner is 64. Former KUB CEO Mintha Roach is 71.

April 30: King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is 77.

May 1: Brenda McGee is 74. Rev. Daryl Arnold is 53. Korin Cottam is 55. Robin Wilhoit is 55. Attorney Bruce Foster is 87. Jordan Kloepfel is 30. Lane Hays is 80. County Commissioner John Schoonmaker is 69.

May 2: Restaurant owner Randy Burleson is 57. UT professor Mark Harmon, former county commissioner and congressional candidate, is 66. Chris Battle is 62. Sam Burchett is 33. Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William, is 8.

May 3: Businessman Fred Trainer Jr. is 53. Orlando Diaz, Ilse Anderson, and attorney Mark Williams are 64. Catherine Gettys is 75. Attorney Steve Sharp is 66. Walter Fain is 77. Attorney David Lewen is 47. Arthur Long is 71.

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

Knox News and Shopper News promptly correct all errors. If you think we have published incorrect information, please email accuracy@knoxnews.com. Describe the error, where you saw it, the date, page number or the URL.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: RNC could snub Nashville in 2028 after blot left by GOP | Victor Ashe