Tennessee State Senator and conservative Republican candidate for Governor Mae Beavers has announced that she will resign her seat in the legislature effective Friday, September 1st at noon. Beavers also disclosed key additions to her gubernatorial campaign team.
“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that next Wednesday (August 30th) at noon, I plan to deliver a letter to Governor Bill Haslam and Lt. Governor Randy McNally informing them that I am resigning from the State Senate,” Beavers said. “My travels across our state to campaign for Governor should not deprive the taxpayers of the 17th Senatorial District of the devoted and consistent conservative representation they have come to expect.” By resigning now, a special election can take place later this year and ensure that the 17th District has a “fully focused representative in place the day that session begins.”
Since 2003, Beavers has represented the 17th District, composed of Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Macon, Smith, and Wilson (and previously Sumner and Trousdale) counties. Previously, she represented Wilson County as county commissioner from 1990-1994 and then as a state representative from 1994 through 2002. Beavers has consistently been recognized as one of the most conservative and effective legislators throughout her public service. She also received the most statewide votes as delegate for President Donald Trump during the 2016 Republican presidential primary and was chosen as Tennessee Delegation Chairman by her fellow delegates to the Republican National Convention.
“It has been a honor to serve in the Tennessee Senate for almost fifteen years,” continued Beavers. “It is therefore with a heavy heart, but also with great excitement, that I resign my Senate seat and look forward to a new phase in my campaign to be Tennessee’s next Governor. I have always taken my duties in the state legislature extremely seriously, and I have concluded that it is simply not possible for anyone to run a statewide grassroots campaign while effectively serving during legislative session.”
Beavers also announced key additions to her campaign organization saying, “I’ve been blessed to be able to assemble a top-tier team of conservative talent.”
Emerging Horizon Group will helm the campaign as general consultant. The group’s principal, Mike Shirley, has worked with the National Rifle Association, the Republican National Committee, Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign, Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, and Dr. Kelli Ward’s closely watched primary challenge against John McCain in 2016. Stephen Sebastian, who most recently worked with former South Carolina Governor and now Congressman Mark Sanford, will serve as lead consultant on the race.
Osborne, Shell, & Miller Advertising, which will coordinate messaging and advertising for Beavers, has run more than one hundred political campaigns in Northeast Tennessee including Congressman Phil Roe’s historic upset victory in 2008, the first time in 58 years an incumbent congressman had been toppled in a Tennessee primary. Heavily outspent, Roe overcame a 43 point deficit in the polls in the final 5 weeks of the campaign to become the 1st District’s sole successful primary challenger since 1930 who had not previously held the seat.
The Hines Digital team will handle online fundraising, advertising, organizing, and social media. Hines’ clients have included Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign, the Young Republicans National Committee, Young Americans for Liberty, and the Republican parties of California, Florida, Maryland, and Wyoming, Theresa May’s campaign for Prime Minister, and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Before becoming a Republican, Hines helped develop Howard Dean’s pioneering digital strategy in the 2004 presidential race.
Capital Square Funding Group, whose team members have worked with Ron Paul, Chris McDaniel, Ted Cruz, and Roy Moore in various capacities, will be assisting Beavers with fundraising.
“Senator Beavers’ time in public service has been marked by dignity and decency and quiet but unwavering determination,” Sebastian said. “We’re confident that her concrete convictions and amazing accomplishments will cut through the avalanche of slick campaign season rhetoric and attract the kind of conservative firepower we’ll need to win.”
Beavers concluded, “We’re running a grassroots, citizen-powered campaign to hold the line for Tennessee’s future, and it’s resonating because of my record. There are more than enough conservative voters to elect a conservative Republican statewide for the first time in Tennessee’s history.”

State Representative Terri Lynn Weaver, a Republican, will have an opponent in the GOP Primary next August.
Smith County native and small business owner Chad Williams has announced his candidacy to unseat Weaver, the five term incumbent. He will be seeking the GOP nomination for Tennessee’s 40th District House of Representatives seat in August, 2018.
In a press release, Williams said he was raised just outside of the Lancaster community and has resided in the 40th district a majority of his life.
“Time and time again, I have been asked, ‘Why do you want to run?’ At this point, the district is very unhappy with the representation they have been receiving in Nashville. My roots are deep within the 40th district, and I find it disheartening to see and hear how unhappy the voters are with the results they are getting.”
“After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to take this major step in my life. Conservative values are the backbone of this district, and I will carry those same principles to Nashville. Additionally, some core foundations of our communities have been neglected, including infrastructure, public education and small businesses. I will take precedence to make those aspects top priority.”
Chad is the son of Keith and Julie Williams, also of the Lancaster community. Williams owns the Lebanon Antique Mall where his parents manage the day-to-day operations. He currently attends Tennessee Tech University where he studies political science with a concentration in legal studies. He plans to further his education in law school upon graduation in the spring of 2018.
Williams is an active member of the Southside Lions Club of Gordonsville – an affiliate of Lions Club International. He also holds membership in two Masonic Lodges in Smith County (New Middleton #249 and Carthage #14). Williams attends Lancaster United Methodist where he is active in leadership and serves the role of treasurer.
Williams will be touring the 40th district, which consists of Smith, Trousdale and portions of DeKalb and Sumner counties. He stated, “I am really excited to begin meeting with the people across the district. I am especially excited to speak with our civic and business leaders to discuss the issues facing our area.”

NHC Smithville recently held a celebration for Opal Parker on the anniversary of 20 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at NHC Smithville. A reception was held on Friday, August 18 at NHC where Mrs. Parker received some special gifts and a service pin celebrating her 20 years. As an additional honor, Mrs. Parker was presented with a Proclamation from State Representative Mark Pody. The Proclamation congratulated Mrs. Parker on her years of devoted care to her patients as well as her service to NHC. The Proclamation was also signed by State Senator Mae Beavers and Speaker of the House, Beth Harwell. Mrs. Parker began working as a CNA in 1997.
“It was an honor to come and celebrate this occasion with Opal,” Rep. Pody said. “My wife Barbara was a CNA, so caregivers have a special place in my heart. Opal represents the best of the best and her commitment to her patients is evident.”
“Opal has long been an important part of the NHC team and we are so grateful for her selfless service to the patients, families, and partners of NHC Smithville,” NHC Senior Vice President Greg Bidwell said.
Administrator Clint Hall added, “She is a very caring, compassionate, and reliable person. Her dedication to patients and her fellow partners are second to none and serves as an example to others. We are fortunate to have her as a part of the NHC family.”
Opal Parker is a native of DeKalb County and is married to Danny Parker. They have 3 children and attend Hensley Chapel Free Will Baptist Church.

Skygazers got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a rare total solar eclipse as it swept across a narrow corridor of 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina on Monday afternoon.
For a few moments, DeKalb County was in the path of near total darkness just before 1:30 p.m.
Spectators from states across the country, including NASA researchers and astronomers drove hundreds of miles to DeKalb County. Some flew in at the Smithville Municipal Airport.
“We’ve never had this many airplanes in Smithville before,” said Joe Johnson, Operator of the Smithville Municipal Airport.
“By noon we had approximately 34 landings and we had about 30 more who had called wanting to come in and we’re trying our best to park them. We can handle about 75 to 80 aircraft by parking them in the grass,” he said.
“We’ve had them fly in here from Texas, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and more,” Johnson added.
Stephanie Osborne from Huntsville, Alabama was among those who flew in at the airport. She is an astronomer who has worked 20 years at NASA.
“It’s darn near smack on the center line of the totality path,” when asked why she chose to come to Smithville to view the eclipse.
Greenbrook Park was also filled with people from across the country who gathered there for the viewing. Among them was Matt Johnson, also a NASA employee.
“ I came here because I wanted some place that was out of the way off the main highway to avoid traffic,” he said.
Johnson explained what he does for NASA.
“The Space Shuttle is getting a replacement called the SLS and I work on GNC, Guidance Navigation Control. I make sure it goes where it is supposed to go,” said Johnson.
Many enjoyed free goodies and entertainment while waiting for the eclipse during the Downtown Block Party hosted by the Smithville-DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce, Justin Potter Library, St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital, the DeKalb County Government, and the City of Smithville.
Center Hill Lake and Edgar Evins State Park were also places to be for the solar eclipse. Motorists coming from Interstate 40 were lined up on Buffalo Valley Road Monday morning waiting to enter the park to get a good spot for this once in a lifetime event
Visitors also gathered at the scenic overlook on Highway 56 north (Cookeville Highway) including some from Pennsylvania, New York, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Scott and Lamanda Taylor of Franklinton, Louisiana were among those at the overlook. They arrived in DeKalb County Sunday after an eight hour drive from home.
Although Scott has an uncle with a cabin on Center Hill Lake, this was the Taylors’ first visit here and their sole purpose in coming was to get the best view of the solar eclipse. They were among those parked at the scenic overlook.
“Its something that doesn’t happen too often that we in this country have an opportunity to see. Its something I didn’t want to miss,” Scott told WJLE.
“We are very excited about this,” added Lamanda.

After the big event, the Taylor’s said they planned to head back home. “We’re going to head on back. Gotta go back to work tomorrow,” said Scott.

Menda Holmes, chairman of the Wilson County Tea Party and an avid opponent of Governor Haslam’s gas tax increase, has announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination to represent the 46th District in the Tennessee House of Representatives.
The district is currently represented by State Rep. Mark Pody (R-Lebanon), who has announced he will not run for re-election, but will instead run for the State Senate seat currently held by State Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt. Juliet). Beavers is not running for re-election, but instead is one of five candidates seeking the Republican nomination for governor.
“As a self-employed business owner and the daughter Albert McCall Sr., owner of D.T. McCall and Sons, Holmes has been a resident of Wilson County for the past 28 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Trevecca University and is the mother of two grown children. Holmes lives in the southwestern part of the county with her husband, Howard, and they are both active members at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro,” the Lebanon Democrat reported.
She has served as the chairman of the Wilson County Tea Party for the past four years. During that time, the Tea Party played host to top conservative leaders who spoke on a wide variety of issues that affect Tennesseans. She also worked in the legislature to research bills for Pody and served on the executive board of the Wilson County Republican Party.
Holmes described herself as a strong supporter of the biblical values and constitutional principles that make Tennessee great. As an advocate for state’s rights, religious liberty, the right to life and the Second Amendment, she said she would work to continue to advance the conservative principles Pody stood for during his four terms in the House. Her campaign theme, “Keeping the Promise,” follows the footsteps of President Donald Trump to fulfill the promises made during the campaign with real action and not to cave in to special interests,” she said.

Construction repairs are set to begin on the Veterans Memorial Bridge on South College Street in Smithville within a few days.
“The contractor plans to have the project staked by this Monday, August 28 and will begin work the day after the Labor Day holiday period,” Jennifer Flynn, TDOT Community Relations Officer told WJLE Tuesday.
In June, the Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded the contract to Mid-State Construction Company, Inc. of Livingston for $222,894.68.
The project is scheduled to be completed by October 31, 2017.
TDOT let bids for the project Friday, May 12 and Mid-State was the only bidder. In the February 10 letting, Mid-State bid $238,600.58 but there were no other bids and TDOT rejected it as too high.
The bridge has been closed since Monday, June 27, 2016 when a county landfill truck hit it causing major damage. The bridge was hit again last month by a freightliner car hauler.

Sober Living Services in collaboration with the DeKalb County Recovery Court will host speaker Rodney Williams on Friday, August 25 at 6:00 p.m. in the DeKalb County Complex. This a free event and open to the public.
Williams is an ordained pastor, author of the book, Club Meth to Christ, and founder of Club Meth to Christ Ministries. His goal is to help those who struggle with the devastating bondage of addiction experience lasting freedom. Rodney lived as a drug addict and alcoholic for over twenty years of his life but that all changed the night he was set on fire in a crystal meth lab explosion. That night he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and from that point on Rodney began following Jesus. Rodney entered the Home of Grace drug rehabilitation program after months of skin grafts and burn treatments then wrote the book Club Meth to Christ. He then obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from the University of Mobile. Rodney was pastor to a small congregation in South Mississippi for eight years before entering full time evangelism. Rodney’s story has been featured on the 700 Club, Pacific Garden Mission’s radio drama, Unshackled, and American Family Radio. He has spoken at countless evangelical and secular events using his story to warn audiences about the danger of drugs and give hope to those trapped in the bonds of addiction. Rodney and his wife, Jennifer, live in South Mississippi with their four children.

Visit http://www.clubmethtochrist.com for more information.