The week in politics: Big fundraising hauls by Marsha Blackburn, Gloria Johnson in US Senate race

Tennessee’s U.S. Senate race could be shaping up to be an expensive one.

In her run for U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn’s seat, Knoxville Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson announced a fundraising haul this week of $1.3 million — the biggest first-quarter haul raised by a Democrat in Tennessee since 1982.

“We are just getting started,” Johnson said in a statement. “The support we've seen this quarter is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and the desire for effective, principled leadership in the Senate. I am committed to delivering results for the people of Tennessee and I’ll work my tail off to make sure their voices are heard in Washington.”

Johnson’s campaign received more than 25,000 contributions from across all 95 counties and all 50 states, a campaign news release said.

But Blackburn raised more than double that.

The incumbent senator drew $2.7 million in contributions toward her reelection, her campaign said, and now has more than $6.5 million cash on hand. More than 77,700 contributions came from across all 95 counties.

“I am so grateful to all the Tennesseans across the state who have graciously donated to our campaign to keep Tennessee, Tennessee,” Blackburn said in a statement. “The conservative values and principles that define the Volunteer State are worth fighting for, and every donation helps us keep Tennessee red come next November. With your help, this is possible.”

Blackburn’s 2018 race against former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen was the most expensive Senate race in state history, with a combined spend of more than $68.3 million: $27.2 million total spent by the Blackburn and Bredesen campaigns, with another $41.1 million in independent expenditures by outside groups.

AG files FOIA complaint against DHS, ICE

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti filed a federal complaint against the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging the federal agencies have illegally delayed in turning over records related to a immigration issue state Republicans objected to last year.

DHS and ICE have not yet returned a request for comment.

Gov. Bill Lee last December said Tennessee officials were notified of pending relocation of some migrants from Louisiana to Tennessee, which he and other Republican officials characterized as a "threat" to public safety.

The news came amid a then-ongoing battle over an immigration policy known as Title 42, a pandemic-era emergency health policy that authorized turning migrants back at the border without allowing them to chance to seek asylum.

President Joe Biden's administration tried to end the policy in 2022, when several Republican-led states sued over border security. The policy was initially preserved but later expired this year when Biden ended national COVID-19 emergencies.

In the federal complaint, the attorney general's office said it sought communication records between the national agencies and Nashville-based immigration rights groups who were discussing the plan to relocate some migrants. The complaint alleges local groups have handed over records under federal public records law, but states ICE and DHS have "effectively ignored" Tennessee's requests in violation of law.

Allie Phillips running for State House

Allie Phillips, a plaintiff currently suing the state over Tennessee’s restrictive abortion laws, is running for state House in Clarksville.

A Middle Tennessee native, Phillips traveled to New York City for an abortion shortly after Tennessee’s abortion ban went into effect in 2022 after learning that her daughter, Miley Rose, was not compatible with life.

“I’ve had the honor of being a voice for so many people, not only in Tennessee but across the world. My story, unfortunately, is all too familiar for many families,” Phillips said in a statement. “My commitment to fighting for change is something Clarksville needs in a representative. We deserve someone who listens, understands, and cares, and that person is me.”

If she wins the Democratic nomination, Phillips would face incumbent freshman Rep. Jeff Burkhart, R-Clarksville, in the general election next November.

Rep. Aftyn Behn sworn in 

Nashville’s newest state representative, Aftyn Behn, took the oath of office at the state Capitol on Wednesday morning. Behn, D-Nashville, fills the vacancy left by the late Rep. Bill Beck, who died suddenly in June.

“As the world and this country feel on the brink of falling apart, I look to the power of community as our greatest saving grace in the face of such meaninglessness and destruction,” she said shortly before taking the oath. “Resisting these divisive forces is a courageous act of rebellion and perhaps our only hope for healing.”

Behn pledged to work on legislation to protect Tennesseans’ reproductive rights, fight state overreach and preemption of cities, institute gun reform, and expand support for caregivers.

House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, and Sen. Heidi Campbell, D-Nashville, attended Behn’s swearing in.

Hakeem appointed to U.S. Trade Advisory Committee

State Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga, will join a federal committee to advise the U.S. Trade Representative, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced.

Hakeem will join the 15-member Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee, which advises the U.S. Trade Representative on issues involving trade that impact state and local governments.

“One of my goals is to see a marked increase in small and medium-sized companies receiving assistance and development strategies for their involvement in international trade,” said Hakeem, a former Chattanooga City Council member. “Tennessee, along with other southeastern states, can benefit greatly from access to these opportunities and I’m honored to receive this appointment.”

Hakeem has represented part of Hamilton County since 2018.

“This highly qualified group of stakeholders and elected officials represent diverse backgrounds, interests, and priorities and I congratulate them on joining this important committee,” Ambassador Katherine Tai said in a statement. “The IGPAC is a critical link that ensures USTR’s work is responsive to needs of all people in the United States.”

Hagerty requests update on Chinese military expansion

U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, joined three other senators in asking for an update from the U.S. Department of State to "diplomatically address and counter" the growing military expansion of the People's Liberation Army —China's military force.

"As the PLA seeks to project its power increasingly further from the People's Republic of China's (PRC) shores, it is engaging in an ambitious project to develop overseas naval facilities and logistical hubs to fuel potential future operations," the letter states.

In a letter sent last week to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Hagerty and others cite an overseas PLA base in Djibouti, which opened in 2017, efforts to open a new base in Ream, Cambodia, and consideration of at least 13 other countries in which the PLA is considering placing military bases, according to a recent Department of Defense report.

“These developments pose serious challenges to U.S. national security interests,” the letter states.

The senators request updates from the State Department on how the agency is tracking PLA efforts to build new bases, and examples of how U.S. diplomatic engagement “has successfully dissuaded a third country from hosting PLA facilities.” They also request a briefing to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Hagerty joined U.S. Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Nebraska, Todd Young, R-Indiana, and Marco Rubio, R-Florida.

Senate Republican Caucus hires new legislative advisor

Tennessee Senate Republicans have hired a new senior legislative adviser, Rhett Pratt. Senate Republican Caucus Chair Ken Yager, R-Kingston, announced Pratt’s hire in an email sent to members on Wednesday morning. Pratt will take the place of Jonathan Springer, who will join the Department of Finance and Administration as director of legislation in November.

Pratt comes to the caucus from the Tennessee Municipal League. Pratt previously worked for Nashville Republican Sen. Steve Dickerson as a research analyst, and in the Legislative Budget Analysis Office.

“He will hit the ground running and be a great help to the caucus,” Yager wrote.

Catch up on the week

McCarthy ousted: How Tennessee’s House delegation voted

45 TN lawmakers intervene on behalf of German homeschooling family facing deportation

'Tennessee Three' lawmaker Justin Jones sues state House Speaker over expulsion, vote to silence him

Tennessee must raise rates for court-appointed lawyers, state's chief justice says

Appeals court declines to overturn restraining order against Mt. Juliet abortion protesters

How did Tennessee's congressional delegation vote on bill to avert a government shutdown?

Got a question for us?

Got a question about state politics you would like us to tackle? Let us know. Email us at mabrown@tennessean.com, vjones@tennessean.com or statehouse@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The week in politics: Blackburn, Johnson report big fundraising totals