In a closely contested primary race, Republican Rep. John Ragan lost his bid for renomination in the 33rd District to former Clinton Police Chief Rick Scarbrough by 258 votes. While Ragan has attributed his loss to Democratic crossover voters, local officials have pointed to his positions on education, particularly his support for Gov. Bill Lee’s school voucher plan and reading standards, as factors in his defeat.
Ragan’s support for vouchers was a point of contention, with local elected officials and constituents expressing dissatisfaction with his stance. Some officials highlighted his failure to heed the wishes of constituents and educators, leading to his defeat. Ragan, however, defended his position on vouchers, stating that he supported the House bill for reasons beyond just vouchers, such as increased teacher pay and school funding.
The debate over Ragan’s support for a controversial third-grade retention measure based on test scores also divided opinions among local officials. While some criticized his approach, others believed his defeat was mainly due to Democratic interference in the primary.
Anderson County Commissioner Anthony Allen endorsed Ragan’s challenge of the election results, arguing that the Republican primary should not be influenced by Democrats. Republican Party Chairwoman Myra Mansfield echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for election integrity. The Tennessee Republican Party Executive Committee is set to hear Ragan’s case on Saturday, further highlighting the contentious nature of the primary race.
Source
Photo credit tennesseelookout.com
