Are you squeezing in a few more backyard BBQ’s before sending the kids back to school next month? Take just a few minutes to learn about the latest candidate announcements in the Upper Cumberland region.
To keep tabs on your local elections, be sure to engage with your local party. As fall approaches, expect more announcements at the local level. Most local parties share their announcements via social media.
“Many hands make light work!”
Every local Republican party is busy conducting meetings and special events. These include outreach events – fair booths, street fairs, breakfasts for first responders – you name it, it’s happening! Join them and help out.
In this issue:
- Congressional Candidate Update – More Candidates Announce!
- Upper Cumberland Republican Update – August 5th
- Statesmen’s Dinner – August 23
- Reagan Day Dinners
- Special Events
- July GOP Meetings
Congressional Candidate Update – More Candidates in the 6th and 7th districts!
Candidate announcements seem to be coming out daily! State and Federal offices will have primaries next August, but our large geographic areas present quite the challenge for candidates to present themselves to potential supporters and voters. Watch their campaign sites and social media to see when and where to meet them!
U.S. Congress – District 6
Three additional Republican candidates have entered the race for the open 6th District Congressional Seat. Interesting to note that many of the candidates for both the 6th and 7th district are veterans of the U.S. military. Gentlemen, thank you for your service!
Van Hilleary kicked off his campaign with an announcement event last Friday evening in Sumner County. Van Hilleary, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Reserve, previously served in the U.S. House as District 4 Congressman. Currently, he serves as Congressman John Rose’s Chief of Staff. Read more about Van Hilleary here => website
Johnny Garrett, is serving in his third term as District 45 Representative in the Tennessee general assembly and filed papers for candidacy last week. Candidates like Mr. Garrett will not be able to run for reelection as state representative concurrently with the congressional candidacy. Read more here => website
Jon Henry, Retired U.S. Marine – mentioned in the previous newsletter has information for voters here =>website
Dale Braden, Retired U.S. Army – Dale has experience across a wide range of industries including roles in the federal government, higher education, manufacturing, non-profits, and, for the past 20 years, the healthcare sector. Read more here => website
U.S. Congress – District 7
The Special Election for the 7th Congressional Seat is very unique. Necessitated by Representative Dr. Mark Green’s resignation, it throws a flurry of unexpected political activity into the fall of 2025. Because It’s a special election, candidates currently serving in state or local elected offices will not have to choose between their re-election prospects and the special election. Also, for political trivia buffs, qualifications for candidacy set forth in the Constitution only require that the person be 25 years of age, a citizen of the US for at least seven years and live in the State (not the Congressional district) they seek to represent at the time of the election. Unconfirmed dates for this election are October 7th primary and December 2nd general election in the 7th District. Candidates are announcing and backing out weekly. Here’s an interesting article describing that political climate => House 7th District Special Election Hokey Pokey Begins
Unchanged 2026 Candidate Lineup
For Tennessee Governor, there remains only one official Republican candidate in the running. John Rose, currently serving as the 6th district US Representative, is touring the state and introducing himself in all 95 counties. You can check his website, request speaking engagements and shop for merchandise > John Rose for Tennessee
For U.S. Senate, incumbent Bill Hagerty has announced running for re-election. You’ll see President Trump’s endorsement on the Team Hagerty website.
Upper Cumberland Republican Update
This unique regional event is designed to heighten awareness and engage Upper Cumberland Republicans in upcoming election seasons. A light summer supper is included in your reservation to attend. The six counties in Tennessee’s 15th Senate District are the focus, but all are welcome. Tickets are a modest $10 per person – bring your family and friends! You must have a ticket for entry. Don’t dawdle! Tickets are selling fast!
By the way, check out Highlands Insider – a new conservative news outlet for many counties in the region.
Highlands Insider is a conservative newspaper rooted in traditional American values—faith, family, freedom, and community. We serve Putnam, Jackson, Overton, and White Counties in Tennessee through a multimedia platform that includes print, digital, video, and podcasting. Our goal is to shine a light on what matters most to our communities with integrity, bold storytelling, and a firm commitment to truth.
HighlandsInsider.com
TN GOP Annual Statesmen’s Dinner – Aug 23rd
Keynote: U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson
The 2025 Statesmen’s Dinner will be hosted at a different venue than years past. Use the link below to reserve your seats! It’s going to be a packed house!
If you’d like to host a table, please ALSO send the following RSVP
Reagan Day Dinners
Jackson County Reagan Day Dinner – July 19th
Ethan Reynolds will provide entertainment for the evening, and there will be various speakers throughout the night. The speaker lineup includes State Senator Paul Bailey, 6th District Congressional candidates Johnny Garrett, Jon Henry and Van Hilleary and special guest Dr. Ming Wang. Dr. Wang is a survivor of communism in China due to an extraordinary opportunity to pursue education in the U.S. at Harvard and MIT.
Doors Open at 5:30 pm, Dinner and Program at 6:30 pm
Tickets are $45 per person, or you can purchase a table for six people for $250. Tickets can be ordered via email, by calling 931-268-5175, or online.
Smith County Reagan Day Dinner – July 25th
Social Hour at 5pm, Dinner and Program at 6 pm
Program: US Congressman Tim Burchett
110 Ag Center Ln, Carthage, TN 37030
Tables of 6 for $400 Individual seats available at $40 each
Ticket Link: Buy tickets here
SPECIAL EVENTS
July GOP Meetings
Putnam County GOP – NO Meeting in July! FB link
Van Buren County GOP – No meeting in July FB link
Cumberland County GOP – no meeting in July FB link
Smith County GOP – no meeting in July FB link
Warren County GOP – Thursday, July 17th @ 6 pm FB link
Warren County Admin building, Early Voting room
201 Locust Street, McMinnville, TN 37110
White County GOP – Monday, July 28th @ 7:00 pm FB link
Program: Jerry Sawyer, White County Highway Superintendent
3rd Floor, White County Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, TN38583
Jackson County GOP – Tuesday, July 29th @ 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