x
Breaking News
More () »

State GOP removes 7 Senate candidates, 1 governor candidate from primary ballot

The state Republican Party took action Saturday to remove seven Senate candidates and one gubernatorial candidate from the August ballot because they lacked the voting credentials to justify running as Republicans.

The state Republican Party took action Saturday to remove seven Senate candidates and one gubernatorial candidate from the August ballot because they lacked the voting credentials to justify running as Republicans.

The political subcommittee of the Republican Party executive committee recommended removing the candidates from the primary ballot for "failing to meet the bona fide standards set" in party bylaws.

The state GOP's rules require that candidates be active members of the party and vote in three of four statewide Republican primaries in their counties of residence.

The Senate candidates wiped off the ballot are David Anderson, Rashard Lamar Coker, Larry Crim, Tommy Hay, Theresa Honeycutt, J Darrell Lynn and Ronaldo Toyos. The gubernatorial candidate removed from the ballot is Eddie Murphy.

Republican Party chairman Scot Golden must now provide the list of names to be removed to the Tennessee Secretary of State.

"The Tennessee Republican Party has always been an organization that encouraged new membership and involvement," Golden said in a statement released to the media Saturday. "However, we do have in place a set of rules for determining who we allow to run as our party's standard bearers.

"We want to ensure that the candidates seeking our nomination are active and invested in the Republican Party in Tennessee and today the State Executive Committee followed the process laid out in our bylaws to do just that."

U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn addresses theBuy Photo

U.S. Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn addresses the Williamson County Republican Party annual Reagan Day Dinner Friday, Feb. 23, 2018 in Franklin, Tenn. (Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean)

In a statement released after the party's decision, Lynn said he understands and accepts the action taken by the executive committee.

“I am obviously disappointed that I will not be a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate for the Aug. 2 primary," Lynn said. "I don’t like the provision in the state GOP by-laws defining a 'bona fide' Republican for purposes of candidacy nor do I agree with any determination that I am not a Republican, especially in view of my donations, fundraising efforts and work for Republican candidates in the past, including President Donald J. Trump.”

Crim slammed the state party's decision claiming Golden is trying to rig the election for Blackburn. Golden is a former Blackburn staff member.

"Choosing a United States Senator is a process for the voters," Crim said, "not the choice of an appointed hireling for Marsha Blackburn."

The Republican primary for governor is hotly contested with U.S. Rep. Diane Black, businessman Randy Boyd, state Speaker of the House Beth Harwell and businessman Bill Lee among the top contenders.

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker decided not to run for re-election and Gov. Bill Haslam is term-limited.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 and nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.

Before You Leave, Check This Out