Every local Republican party is busy conducting meetings and special events including outreach events. Fair booths, street fairs, breakfasts for First Responders – you name it, it’s happening! Join them and help out.
In this issue:
- Thanks for joining the Upper Cumberland Republican Update meeting!
- More and More Candidates Announce!
- Statesmen’s Dinner – August 23
- Reagan Day Dinners
- Special Events
- August and September GOP Meetings
Thank You for Coming! The Upper Cumberland Republican Update was a HIT!
Over 200 Upper Cumberland Republicans gathered for the first-of-its-kind meeting in the 15th Senate District. Co-hosted by Linda Clark, SEC District 15 and Beth Campbell, Tennessee’s Republican National Committeewomen, attendees heard from
- gubernatorial candidate Congressman John Rose,
- TN GOP Chair Scott Golden,
- RNC Committeewoman Beth Campbell,
- RNC Co-Chair KC Crosbie and
- closed with a beautiful rendition of “America the Beautiful”, sung by Jennifer Wilkerson, Putnam Circuit Court Clerk.
Senator Paul Bailey and Speaker Cameron Sexton welcomed the crowd and Pastor Paul Allen, White County GOP Chair delivered the invocation. Local GOP leaders from Cumberland, Jackson, Overton, Putnam, Smith, and White Counties participated and we applauded them for all the hard work taking place at the grassroots level.
Thank you to the venue and table sponsors! Your help made this event possible for a very modest ticket price.
2026 Campaign Trail – Heating up every day!
Unless you’ve been under a rock in the past week, you’ve heard the news that the Republican ballot for governor now has two candidates. Senator Blackburn finally paused incessant fundraising communications and speculative statements to announce that she is indeed running for governor, a mere 8 months after being re-elected to a six year term as U.S. Senator. The race began last March with District 6 Congressman John Rose’s announcement to run as TN Governor. Buckle your seatbelts as this race will not be decided until the primary in August 2026.
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
Four 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 in July 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. He most recently served as District 6 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 a practicing lawyer in Sumner County. Mr. Garrett will not be able to run for reelection as state representative concurrently with the congressional candidacy. Read more here => website
Jon Henry, SgtMaj USMC (ret) was the first to make his official announcement to run for Congress in May. Raised on a farm in Smith county, Mr. Henry served 27 years in the Marine Corps, currently teaches leadership theory and best practices at Bridgestone, is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership while continuing as a farmer in Smith County. Read more 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 crowded. The official filing deadline has passed and no less than eleven (11) Republican candidates are vying for filling Dr. Mark Green’s seat. Early voting for the primary begins September 17th with the official election day on October 7th. The Special Election to make the final decision for District 7 is on December 2nd.
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
Warren County Reagan Day Dinner – September 26th 6 – 8 pm, Doors 5:15pm
The Magnolia Center
5557 Smithville Highway McMinnville, TN 37110
You’re invited to join us for a spectacular evening at the WCRP Reagan Day Gala. Prepare yourself for an enchanting night filled with amazing speakers including: Congressman John Rose, Dr. Omar Hamada, Hannah Faulkner, and Jan. 6th Patriot Colton McAbee. Hear their inspiring stories and get connected with fellow Christian Conservatives. Space is limited so get your tickets now! Just follow the link below to purchase on Eventbrite! https://www.eventbrite.com/…/warren-county-republican…
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Save the Date! Overton County Reagan Day Dinner – October 25th
Social Hour at 5pm, Dinner and Program at 6 pm
Program: US Congressman John Rose
Rotary Ag Building at the Overton County Fairgrounds
Tables of 8 for $300 Individual seats available at $40 each
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Monthly GOP Meetings
Smith County GOP – Tuesday, August 19th @ 6 pm FB link
Program TBA – at 7 pm.
Smith County Chamber of Commerce
939 Upper Ferry Rd, Carthage, TN 37030
Warren County GOP – Thursday, August 21st @ 6 pm FB link
Program TBA
Warren County Admin building, Early Voting room
201 Locust Street McMinnville, TN 37110
White County GOP – Monday, August 25th @ 6:00 pm FB link
Program TBA
3rd Floor, White County Courthouse
1 East Bockman Way, Sparta, TN38583
Putnam County GOP – Tuesday, September 2nd @ 5:30 pm FB link
Potluck at 5:30 pm (please bring sides or desserts)
Program: Van Hilleary, candidate for Dist. 6 U.S. Congress, Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter, Jordan Iwanyszen, candidate for Putnam County Trustee
90 E Spring St, Cookeville, TN 38501
Jackson County GOP – Tuesday, August 26th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Potluck at 6:30 pm, Meeting at 7 pm
New Hope Baptist Church
311 N. Murray St, Gainesboro TN 38562
Cumberland Co Republican Women – Saturday, September 6th @ 10:30 am FB link
Doors open at 10:30 am
Program: “It Matters Who Governs, Part 3” – State Representative Elaine Davis
Fairfield Glade Druid Hills Library
455 Lakeview Dr., Crossville, TN 38555
Van Buren County GOP – No meeting in September FB link
Rep. Women of the Upper Cumberland – Tuesday, September 9th @ 12:00 pm (noon) FB link
Program: Wayne Nabors, County Clerk and Charlotte Sanders, President, Putnam County Exchange Club
RSVP: tnrwuc.org
J&SConstruction Building – Conference Room (Behind Holiday Inn)
1844 Foreman Dr., Cookeville
Overton County GOP – Tuesday, September 9th @ 6:30 pm FB link
Program: State Senator Ken Yager
Livingston-Overton Chamber of Commerce
222 East Main St
Livingston, TN
Cumberland County GOP – no meeting in August, next meeting September 23rd FB link
