The week in politics: U.S. Senate campaign in Tennessee heats up — on day one

Let the campaign begin.

It was no secret that state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has had her eyes on the U.S. Senate. After all, she had expressed interest and formed an exploratory committee weeks ago.

But she made it official on Tuesday during a three-city swing across the state, announcing her bid for the Democratic nomination and a chance to take on Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

And if Tuesday is any indication of how the race may play out, get ready. Blackburn’s camp isn’t wasting any time taking on Johnson, using the often fiery political rhetoric she is known for online.

Fundraising emails hit inboxes. Text blasts went out to voters. “The Democrats in the Tennessee Senate race are as woke as they come,” one text said. Another said Johnson would be a “loyal soldier to Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer” and linked to RadicalGloria.com, a site paid for by the Blackburn Tennessee Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee backed by the Marsha for Senate campaign, the MARSHA PAC and the Tennessee Republican Party.

In a campaign video posted on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Blackburn made a similar appeal. “Frankly,” she said, “my opponent is a direct threat to our way of life.”

So far, Johnson faces Marquita Bradshaw, the 2020 Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, in the primary. But Johnson, long outspoken herself on social media, has risen in prominence as a member of the Tennessee Three. She survived expulsion in April by just one vote.

Nonetheless, she faces an uphill fight against Blackburn. Not only is Blackburn a well-funded incumbent, but no Democrat has won a statewide election in Tennessee since 2006 when former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen carried all 95 counties en route to a second term.

When Bredesen ran against Blackburn for an open Senate seat in 2018, he lost by nearly 11 points.

For her part, Johnson isn't holding back, either. She's criticizing Blackburn for her stance on abortion, prescription drugs, guns and more. In an online ad launching her campaign, Johnson likened Blackburn to a bully and a coward.

"Those politicians, they don't like me much because I speak my mind and when it's bullsh**, I call it bullsh**," she says in the ad.

Ogles faces FEC scrutiny – again

Freshman U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, is again facing scrutiny from the Federal Election Commission for receiving excessive and otherwise prohibited campaign contributions toward his reelection bid next year.

FEC officials sent two letters to Ogles' campaign treasurer, Thomas Datwyler, late last month threatening to audit his campaign or take other enforcement actions if Ogles' campaign does not immediately correct the issues.

According to the FEC's letter, Ogles' received more than $14,000 from the House Freedom Fund between January and May toward the 2024 general election. Federal law limits candidates to receiving a total of $5,000 in contributions from multi-candidate committees per election. The FEC also noted discrepancies between Ogles' first-quarter 2023 report and previous reports.

It's not the first time Ogles has faced scrutiny over his campaign's finances. Last December, the FEC sent Datwyler a letter noting incorrect information in the campaign's disclosures and the campaign's failure to disclose other required information.

Shortly before the election in 2022, a complaint was filed with the FEC alleging a "pattern of malfeasance" in Ogles' handling of federal financial disclosures. Likewise, early in his campaign, Ogles' former campaign treasurer, Nashville auto magnate Lee Beaman, became the sole donor to a super PAC that went on to spend $24,000 on ads backing Ogles.

Ogles' campaign has until Oct. 5 to respond.

Tennessee delegation visits White House for Medal of Honor presentation

President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Honor to Vietnam Army veteran Capt. Larry Taylor, of Signal Mountain, on Tuesday.

During a nighttime mission in 1968, Taylor responded to a call for support from a four-man patrol team. When he arrived, Taylor found the team surrounded by a larger Viet Cong force. Under heavy fire, Taylor flew at low altitude, he attempted to find a route for the four men to evacuate. When none was available, Taylor extracted the team in his two-man Cobra helicopter gunship, something never before accomplished.

“When duty called, Larry did everything — did everything to answer. And because of that, he rewrote the fate of four families for generations to come,” Biden said during the ceremony. “That’s valor.”

Taylor is the 33rd Tennessean to receive the Medal of Honor. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty were both present for the ceremony, as was state Rep. Greg Vital, R-Harrison.

“We are forever indebted to Captain Taylor & the Tennessee heroes who have gone above & beyond the call of duty to defend our nation & her people,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement.

Humble complies with election finance Registry audit

After a second demand from the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance, Tennessee Stands Executive Director Gary Humble has turned over unredacted campaign finance records, after initially producing redacted documents amid a looming audit.

During the registry’s June meeting – facing a subpoena to require audit compliance – Humble agreed to produce bank statements, checks and deposit records associated with his failed 2022 state Senate bid. Since then, Humble’s team provided some documents – which Registry attorney Lauren Topping described as “heavily redacted.”

All documentation for contributions of $100 or less to Humble’s campaign was redacted on documents provided to the registry.

“I don’t like someone who is before us for an audit telling us what we can and can’t have,” registry member Tom Lawless said.

During the registry’s meeting last month, Humble’s attorney Larry Crain told members that Humble felt that “we have complied fully.”

“For the redaction to take place – I find it a little embarrassing that you guys didn’t fully comply with that,” said registry member Paige Burcham Dennis during the meeting. “I don’t understand why you agreed to it in our meeting and then… we weren’t able to get the full bank statements.”

Registry members last month voted to give Humble 21 days turn over unredacted documents, or they would proceed with subpoena enforcement at their October meeting.

Topping confirmed to The Tennessean that Humble has since provided the documents required.

Lee highlights vocational education at Labor Day 

The governor toured several community colleges to highlight his administration’s work to invest in vocational and technical education at Labor Day.

“The hands-on experience these students are receiving to support their academic studies will help them succeed in fields they’re passionate about and gifted in,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee’s administration has worked to create partnerships between community colleges and Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, distributing millions in competitive grants.

“Dyersburg State was excited to welcome Governor Lee to our campus to experience the advanced, hands-on tools we use to teach future nurses, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics,” Dyersburg State Community College President Scott Cook said in a statement. “Our students practice real-world lifesaving techniques in a low-risk learning environment that prepares them to care for our communities and save lives.”

100% Tennessee milk gets a new logo

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture has chosen a new logo to designate cow, sheep, and goat milk that is 100% sourced, processed, and bottled inside the state.

Voting among four logo finalists took place at the Tennessee State Fair last month, and on social media platforms.

“We weren’t sure what we would get when we launched the milk logo contest, and I was impressed with the number and creativity of the results,” Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher said. “Primarily, the contest and use of the new logo serves to enhance the visibility of milk that is entirely sourced, processed, and bottled in Tennessee.”

Catch up on the week

Knoxville state Rep. Gloria Johnson channels Tennessee Three activism into 2024 Senate bid

'One last tour of Tennessee': Former Gov. Don Sundquist remembered for a life of service

How will hemp products fare in new federal farm bill? What one key TN US House member says

Nashville runoff election: PAC-funded ad attacking LGBTQ+ council candidate sparks ire

Memphis mayoral forum at Hope Church focuses on crime — and Christianity

Got a question for us?

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

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The week in politics: U.S. Senate campaign heats up — on day one