By J. Holly McCall | Editor-in-Chief
Good morning, Lookout readers:
Tensions mount and both candidates and elected officials become chippy as the midterm election nears.
Sen. Janice Bowling, a Tullahoma Republican, drew the ire of some of her colleagues last week when she publicly endorsed not the Grand Ole Party’s gubernatorial nominee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, but independent candidate David Hatley.
Senior Reporter Sam Stockard reports that Bowling will escape censure and being booted from the state Senate Republican Caucus — at least for now.
And Cassandra Stephenson follows up on Saturday’s rally by President Donald Trump in Clarksville with a review of statements made by Tennessee elected officials — including Blackburn — and nominees who were on the scene to get a boost heading into the final 22 days of the campaign.
Other details from our Lookout election countdown clock:
One day until early voting begins. Wednesday, Oct. 14, opens the early voting period, which will continue through Oct. 29.
Candidate deadlines: Today is the day candidates for state offices must file their third quarter campaign finance disclosures. Thursday marks the day candidates for federal offices — U.S. representatives, senators — must file.
THE LOOKOUT’S TOP STORY
Tullahoma Republican Sen. Janice Bowling, with former state Rep. Jerry Sexton. photographed at the June unveiling of the “Monument to Unborn Children,” earned the ire of fellow Republicans for endorsing an independent in the governor’s race instead of party nominee, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Sam Stockard
Tennessee’s Senate Republican Caucus won’t try to remove Sen. Janice Bowling for a rogue endorsement before the election of a new Senate speaker, two key lawmakers said Monday, a move that could affect the outcome of a tight race.
NEWS AND NOTES
US senators from both parties blast Trump order to import Russian diesel as illegal | Jacob Fischler, States Newsroom
Trump heads West in latest swing to bolster GOP in rocky lead-up to midterms | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, at center among state officials including, from far left, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, with glasses; U.S. Rep. Matt Van Epps and U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty in red tie. To the left and behind Blackburn is former CoreCivic CEO Damon Hininger, in white hat; to her right is Ward Baker, Blackburn’s chief campaign strategist. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)
by Cassandra Stephenson
The rainy remnants of Hurricane Isaias didn’t deter Tennessee Republicans from turning out Saturday to hear President Donald Trump decry state Democrats as “communists” and “socialists,” and praise Tennessee’s federal delegation and the success of the Memphis Safe Task Force.
FEATURED IN THE LOOKOUT
Gubernatorial candidates, clockwise from top, Lauren Pinkston, Democratic nominee Jerri Green and David Hatley will participate in an Oct. 27 sponsored by the Tennessee Press Association. (Photos: Pinkston and Hatley, John Partipilo; Green, Karen Pulfer-Focht)
by J. Holly McCall
The Tennessee Press Association announced Friday it will hold a gubernatorial debate on Oct. 27 with Democratic nominee Jerri Green and two independent candidates, David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston, agreeing to participate.
ICYMI
COMMENTARY
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