Paddy Makes the Grade

 40th District Independent candidate for State Representative Paddy Sizemore has earned an exemplary rating from the NRA, his latest Facebook post notes:

Sizemore Pitches Progressive Campaign in House Distric 40

40th District candidate for State Representative Paddy Sizemore (I) is pitching a progressive campaign in his bid to unseat incumbent Terri Lynn Weaver.

Here's a bit from his Facebook page pitching Roosevelt's New Deal progressivism:

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August 2020 Candidates

Sumner County School Board seats are up in the August election as well as the primaries for some state offices. Effectively, though, the General Election matchups for state House and Senate races were set with yesterday's filing deadline.

Here's who is running for what in 2020:

School Board

District 2 -- Tim Brewer

District 4 -- Sarah Andrews

District 6 -- Ginny Hall Plunkett
                     Betsy Hawkins

District 8 -- Kyle Robinson
                     Ted Wise 

District 10 -- Glen Gregory

State House District 40 

Terri Lynn Weaver (R) -- incumbent
Paddy Sizemore (I) 

State House District 44

William Lamberth (R)

State House District 45

Johnny Garrett (R)

State Senate District 18

Ferrell Haile (R)  -- incumbent
John Gentry (I)


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Sizemore Launches Campaign for House District 40 Seat

From a press release:

Paddy Sizemore (I) is proud to announce his campaign for the Tennessee State House of Representatives’ 40th district (most of DeKalb County, all of Smith County, part of Sumner County, and all of Trousdale County.)

In lieu of campaign contributions, for the foreseeable future, Paddy requests that you direct your financial support to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee to help food banks provide critical help to families in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

Paddy grew up in Sumner County, and lives in South Carthage. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History from TN Tech (2009), and a Master of Science degree from WKU (2015). Paddy works as an independent contractor.

Paddy knows, most of all, people are struggling with the fallout from the coronavirus (COVID-19). Before the virus hit, there were already a whole heap of issues to address, but during this crisis Paddy asserts that we must prioritize public health and the economy.

• Economy: “Tennesseans have either already lost their jobs or will lose their jobs. Small businesses are struggling everywhere, and many have already closed. We can’t just sit around and hope for the best.”
• “We've got to expand unemployment insurance.”
• “We've got to make sure nobody goes hungry.”
• “We've got to suspend all farm loan payments and protect farmers.”
• “We've got to stop throwing people out of their homes and apartments or shutting off their utilities.”
• “We've got to take advantage of Federal support to help our state and local governments.”
• Healthcare: “We must stay home, whenever possible, to save lives. If it feels like nothing is happening, that means it’s working.”
• “We must practice social distancing. Imagine you’re carrying a yard stick and make the person you’re talking to imagine they’re carrying one, too.”
• “We must take care of our healthcare workers and other essential workers. These people are angels working overtime for us all. They are doing everything they can to keep us safe. We need to help them do their jobs.”
• “We must build mobile testing facilities and expand our ability to test and to care for all who need it.”

Paddy closes with this statement:

“I entered the workforce during the Great Recession over a decade ago. I had a college degree, but I was thrilled to be making 9 bucks an hour at a car dealership. I had enough hours each week to qualify for an extra $87 a month in food stamps. The economy had collapsed. Times were tough. I couldn’t afford health insurance, but I worked hard and scraped by with a little help.

But that was nothing compared to what lies before us in 2020. This is hitting all of us. Hard work doesn’t cut it when there just ain’t hard work to do.

The aftermath of COVID-19 may be our Great Depression. Families are worried about making ends-meet, yet the bills keep coming in. This is serious. Now is not the time to be conservative in our approach. Like those who elected FDR so many times during The Great Depression, I think we can all agree that we need to vote for a Progressive on November 3rd. And I’m the only one.”

To keep in touch with Paddy and his campaign for District 40 State Representative:

• feel free to email him 24/7 at paddysizemore@gmail.com.
• follow his new Facebook page at facebook.com/paddysizemore.

Paddy Sizemore

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Tinsley, Gaither Weave Tangled Web

A police report reveals trouble is brewing between Sumner County Commissioner Luke Tinsley and his former campaign manager, Travis Gaither. Here's more from SCOOP Nashville:

Lebanon Police say 21-year-old Travis Gaither called 911 and claimed Sumner County Commissioner & State Representative candidate Luke Tinsley forced him to withdraw cash from an ATM and give it to him. Gaither then chased the vehicle, providing updates to the dispatcher, asking police to meet him at Tinsley’s house. The investigation showed the money was a loan, and he didn’t think he had to pay it back. He was charged with misuse of 911 and possession of the marijuana in this glovebox. Gaither is Tinsley’s former campaign manager for his State Representative run.

 

Tinsley noted that Gaither put up a bit of an argument because he felt, due to their friendship, the debt should have been forgiven. When police spoke with Gaither he denied telling 911 that he was robbed or forced to do anything, rather that he wanted officers to meet him at Mr. Tinsley’s house. After reviewing the 911 recording the officer determined that to be untrue and that Gaither had, in fact, told 911 dispatch he was forced to hand over cash at an automated teller machine and that he was giving updates to dispatch while chasing the perpetrator. After this investigation and upon a tow search of Gaither’s vehicle, officers also discovered a “green leafy substance” in his glove compartment believed to be marijuana.

MORE> 



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Black Backs Challenger to Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver

The Nashville Post reports that former Congressman Diane Black is backing County Commissioner Luke Tinsley in his challenger to 40th district state representative Terri Lynn Weaver.

State Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver (R-Lancaster) has drawn a Republican primary challenger in Sumner County Commissioner Luke Tinsley, and one of the district’s most prominent Republicans is behind him.

Former U.S. Rep. Diane Black, who ran for governor in 2018 and lives in House District 40, has endorsed Tinsley, who worked for Black in the past. 

Tinsley voted against funding for a teacher pay raise as well as the funds that would support improving the Sumner County Jail, building a new courthouse, and working to improve roads. While every teacher in Sumner County will see an increase in their paychecks come January 15th of this year, they should also know Tinsley stood in opposition to the funds necessary to make that raise possible. 

Black has long been a supporter of candidates for local elected office who oppose school funding initiatives. 

Tinsley v. Weaver

Sumner County Commissioner Luke Tinsley has made no secret of his disdain for State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. In fact, it seems likely that Tinsley will challenge Weaver in the Republican primary for the 40th district House seat Weaver represents. That race would be in 2020.

Here's more from Tennessee Holler on a key question for Weaver:


Despite Rep. David Byrd apologizing ON TAPE to 1 of 3 women who say he sexually abused them in high school, Weaver tells (rumored primary challenger) Luke Tinsley she won’t ask Byrd to resign, defends disgraced Rep. Jeremy Durham who was accused of inappropriate sexual conduct – including sexual harassment – by 22 women.

See video and more here>


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