Tennessee Rep. Blackburn confirms bid for 9th term in House

The Tennessean reports that Blackburn's bid for a ninth term puts an end to speculation in some circles that she might instead try to run for statewide office next year. Republican Sen. Bob Corker hasn't yet announced whether he will seek a third six-year term, though he is widely expected to run.

House passes ObamaCare repeal

House Republicans on Thursday passed legislation aimed at repealing and replacing ObamaCare, taking a major step toward a long-held goal and setting in motion an overhaul of the nation's health system. The narrow 217-213 vote is a victory for GOP leaders, who faced a tumultuous path to getting the bill to the floor.

Black’s Balancing Act: The Budget Gavel and a Possible Governor Run

Just three weeks into her new job as House Budget Committee chair-and 20 months before an election that could be pivotal to her political future-Diane Black already faces a tricky balancing act. The Tennessee Republican, whose foray into leadership came unexpectedly when Tom Price was tapped for the Cabinet last January, will now oversee the budget reconciliation process expected to serve as a vehicle for both Obamacare repeal and tax reform this year.

Democratic and Republican Partisans Prepare for Next Election

At least five potential Republican candidates for Governor in 2018 were among the crowd of 400 people at the Saturday, Feb. 25, Lincoln Day Gala of the Shelby County Republican Party. Meanwhile, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry told a group of 150 Democrats at an "Obama Day" event Saturday that they and other Democrats across the state can elect one of their own as governor in 2018.

The folks packing Republican town halls

These days, Deborah Johnson is on edge. She says she's worried she won't qualify for Social Security disability benefits, anxious about her middle son's recovery from a car accident last year, and feeling the pervasive effects of her complex post-traumatic stress disorder that dates back to an abusive childhood.

Angry voters flood town halls of GOP lawmakers – Sun, 12 Feb 2017 PST

People react to Rep. Jason Chaffetz as he speaks during a town hall meeting at Brighton High School on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Hundreds of people lined up early for the town hall with Chaffetz on Thursday evening, many holding signs criticizing the congressman's push to repeal the newly-named Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah.

GOP lawmakers face angry, worried constituents at town halls

The voter identified himself as a cancer survivor, and he had something to say to Republican Rep. Justin Amash: "I am scared to death that I will not have health insurance in the future." The comment earned 61-year-old retiree Paul Bonis a standing ovation from the crowd packed into a school auditorium in Amash's Michigan district Thursday night.

Rep. Black: Obamacare Repeal Will Include Transition Period

While Republicans are working to repeal Obamacare, there will still be a stable transition period so "no one has the rug pulled out from underneath them" Rep. Diane Black said in Saturday's GOP address . "Our goal is a system that lowers costs, and spurs free market competition, and ultimately empowers you, not bureaucrats in Washington," the Tennessee Republican said in the weekly statement, decrying Democrats in Washington using "all kinds of scare tactics" in order to keep the healthcare law.

Fitzhugh Touts Rural Credentials As He Mulls Governor’s Bid

State House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh is seriously considering joining the race to succeed term-limited Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam in 2018. The Ripley Democrat told reporters this week that he would have appeal for voters from both urban and rural areas of the state.

Obamacare repeal date set for February 20th

For almost seven years the Republicans have wanted to see the Affordable Care Act, as known as Obamacare gone. President Barack Obama's signature piece of legislation has been the GOP's prime target and on February 20, 2017 it will be officially repealed when the bill hits President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

Campaign finance complaint filed against Sen. Tracy

The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance is waiting for a state attorney general opinion before making a decision on a campaign finance complaint filed against Sen. Jim Tracy , a state official said. Drew Rawlins , executive director of the Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance, requested an opinion from Attorney General Herbert Slatery about the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act of 1980 and whether it allows an elected state official running for federal office to make a contribution from his state campaign to his federal campaign account.

Lawmakers’ European trip shows holes in campaigna

Lawmakers' European trip shows holes in campaign law Gaping holes in state laws that allow lawmakers to use campaign money for investments Check out this story on jacksonsun.com: An investigation into expelled lawmaker Jeremy Durham's campaign finances revealed loopholes in state laws, including one that allowed a GOP donor to take six lawmakers on a European trip without anyone needing to report the gift.

The Latest: Curry Todd loses GOP primary in Collierville

David Kustoff takes the stage with his family to thank his supporters as they celebrate his win for District 8 House of Representatives in Memphis, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. Longtime state Rep. Curry Todd of Collierville has been defeated in the Republican primary by fair and carnival operator Mark Lovell by 37 percentage points.

Tennessee Governor Outsources Governor’s Residence for Political Fundraiser

Senator Lee Harris and Representative John Ray Clemmons today called on Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam to account for any state tax dollars he is using to host Representative Diane Black's July 21st, political fundraiser at the Governor's residence and return those funds to the taxpayers. "Haslam will outsource anything, even the Governor's Residence for a congressional fundraiser," said Representative John Ray Clemmons.

Democratic Prospects for TN Governor. Dog-and-Pony at County Commission

In this week's Viewpoint , Tom Humphrey, retired from the Knoxville News Sentinel , where he earned a reputation as the dean of Tennessee political writers, and now my colleague as a contributing editor of The Tennessee Journal , contributes some informed - and likely definitive - thoughts on the Republican candidates who will be vying in a 2018 gubernatorial contest which is about to get started in earnest. As Humphrey points out, Tennessee is now about as deep-dyed red in its political sentiments as can be, and the GOP has a built-in advantage.