In this issue:
- It’s Official – John Rose is the 1st Announced Candidate for Governor
- Republican Party Officer Elections
- Republican Party Meetings and Reorganizations
John Rose for Governor
Official Announcement – March 20th at Wilson County Fairgrounds
The 2026 Election Cycle is picking up traction. John Rose is the 1st official candidate in the Tennessee Governor’s race to succeed the term-limited Governor Bill Lee. You can view the campaign video announcement here
About John Rose (from his website):
John is a conservative outsider and lifelong Tennessean. He is raising his family on the Generational Rose family farm because Tennessee is his home.
In fact, John is the 8th generation to live and farm in the adjoining Temperance Hall and Lancaster communities in Dekalb and Smith Counties. He started working on the farm as a kid and was raised in nearby Cookeville. John graduated from Cookeville High School and continued his education at Tennessee Tech University, home of the Golden Eagles. He studied agriculture at Tech, an easy choice for him since farming has always been a passion of his.
From there, John earned a Master’s of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. And lastly, he went on to Vanderbilt University, where he earned a Law Degree. All of that education was so that he could be fully equipped for whatever career opportunity might allow him to fulfill his dream of owning and operating the family farm.
Today, he is living that dream alongside his wife, Chelsea. They attend Jefferson Avenue Church of Christ in Cookeville and deeply care about investing in their community. They are volunteers with the Tennessee State Fair, Tennessee Tech University, Tennessee Future Farmers of America (FFA), and more. For years the family hosted the Lancaster Independence Day Parade on their farm to honor and celebrate all that makes America great.
John is a farmer and owns a small IT training business, and is pushing the conservative movement that inspired so many as President Trump sought office for the first time. John and Chelsea are proud supporters of President Trump since 2016, most recently serving as delegates for President Trump in 2024 at the Republican National Convention.
John Rose is completing his 4th term as 6th District U.S. Congressman. Check his campaign website here.
Republican Party Officer Elections
Five counties of the 15th district have held their officer elections. Congratulations on getting started for the 2025-26 season! The 2025-26 County Party Chairs are:
- Jackson County, Beau Smith
- Putnam County, Ken Hall
- Smith County, Jon Henry
- Van Buren County, vacant
- White County, Paul Allen
Cumberland County will have their reorganization meeting on April 15th.
While the reorganization meetings are open to all interested individuals to observe, those wishing to vote for the officers must be bona fide Republicans, having voted in three of four most recent statewide Republican primaries. The four most recent primaries were held August 6,2020 (US Senate primary), August 4, 2022 (Gubernatorial primary), March 5, 2024 (Presidential primary) and August 1, 2024 (US Senate primary). If you have moved to your county within the past five years, whether from another county in Tennessee or another state, you must provide your Republican primary voting record to officials in order to participate. Those that are too young to have voted in the required number of primaries may be granted a waiver.
If you want to be involved in your county election of officers, you can pre-register using the link below. Pre-registration allows verification of your voting record in advance and should make checking in more efficient at the upcoming meeting. Scheduled reorganizations may be found here
Don’t be a benchwarmer! Get out there and get involved!
April GOP Meetings & Special Events
Putnam County GOP – Tuesday, April 1st @ 5:30 pm FB link
Potluck at 5:30 pm (please bring sides or desserts)
Program: “Voices of Leadership” featuring Putnam County Elected Officials – Mayor Randy Porter, Sheriff Eddie Faris and Chief Scott Winfree
90 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501
Cumberland Co Republican Women – Saturday, April 5th @ 9:30 am FB link
It Matters Who Governs, Part 1 of a Series – Dutch treat breakfast optional
Program (at 10:00 am) Mayor Allen Foster – An overview of Cumberland County Elected Offices
Shoney’s Restaurant
4148 US-127, Crossville, TN 38571
Van Buren County GOP – TBA FB link
Program: TBA
Burritt College
445 College St, Spencer, TN 38585
Rep. Women of the Upper Cumberland – Tuesday, April 8th @ 12:00 pm (noon) FB link
Program: Sheriff Eddie Farris
Lunch details TBA – watch the FB page
J&S Construction Building – Conference Room (Behind Holiday Inn)
1844 Foreman Dr., Cookeville90 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501
Overton County GOP – Tuesday, April 8th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Program: Steven Barlow, County Executive
Livingston-Overton Chamber of Commerce
222 East Main St
Livingston, TN
Cumberland County GOP – Tuesday, April 15th @ 6:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm) FB link
Program: Election of 2025-26 County Party Officers
County Community Complex
1398 Livingston Rd, Crossville TN 38555
Smith County GOP – Tuesday, April 15th @ 6:15 pm FB link
Potluck Dinner at 6:15 pm, Meeting begins at 7:00 pm – agenda is to plan for the July Reagan Day Dinner
Smith County Chamber of Commerce
939 Upper Ferry Rd A, Carthage TN 37030
Warren County GOP – Thursday, April 17th @ 6 pm FB link
Program: Natisha Brooks, podcast host
Warren County Admin building, Early Voting room
201 Locust Street McMinnville, TN 37110
White County GOP – Monday, April 24th @ 6:00 pm FB link
Program: TBA
3rd Floor, White County Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, TN38583
Jackson County GOP – Tuesday, April 25th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Potluck at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7 pm
Location: New Hope Baptist Church
311 N. Murray St, Gainesboro TN 38562
Bledsoe County GOP – TBA FB link
Program: TBA
Pikeville, TN 37367
Bledsoe Co. Young Republicans (Meeting TBA) FB link
Special Events….coming SOON!
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