Knox County Republicans host town hall
By Ken Lay
The Knox County Republican Party invited its voters to West Knoxville to express their concerns to their state legislators last week.
The town hall meeting took place at the Bearden Banquet Hall Wednesday night and was emceed by new Knox County Republican Party Chairman Martin Daniel.
Two state senators, Richard Briggs (District 7) and Becky Duncan Massey (District 6), attended and fielded questions.
Five members of the Tennessee House of Representatives, including Michele Carringer (District 16), Elaine Davis (District 18), Justin Lafferty (District 89), Dave Wright (District 19) and Jason Zachary (District 14).
The panel of leaders discussed and entertained questions on many issues of the day, including immigration, crime and taxes. The issue of closing primaries was also discussed, and that issue was heated because voters want primaries closed, and some leaders, including Wright, prefer that the current system remain in place.
Wright said that closed primaries would cause the house Republicans to lose their super majority.
“Open primaries enable you to get a super majority and keep the super majority,” he said.
Opponents of the open primaries contend that Democrats could vote for moderate candidates and cancel out votes for conservative candidates.
On the issue of illegal immigration, Zachary noted that efforts have been increased to apprehend criminal illegals in Nashville between 1-6 a.m. He also noted that illegal immigrants not involved in criminal activity are not being targeted and that he opposes separation of familes.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol continues to turn over illegal immigrants pulled over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Any time the THP pulls over an illegal alien, anything, like a busted headlight, is probable cause,” Zachary said. “And anytime they apprehend an illegal alien, they turn them over to ICE.
“During the Biden Administration, they were told that they had to let them go. Under President Trump, ICE doesn’t let them go.”
He noted that illegals have now been removed from the state. He also emphasized that authorities are not targeting illegals who may be going to church or the grocery store.
“ICE or the THP isn’t waiting to pick you up outside of Kroger,” Zachary said. “That’s why they’re stepping up efforts from 1-6 a.m.
“I understand that people came here to get a better life. I get that, but we are a nation of laws and I took an oath to uphold the federal and state constitution.
“The president is allowing (illegals) to self-deport by buying them a ticket and giving them $1,000. If they’re afraid, maybe they should take advantage of that.
“The other thing I can say to them is that they’ve already broken the law once, don’t break it again.”
Massey spoke and said that her passion is looking out for the state’s most vulnerable people, including children and victims of domestic abuse.
The state’s Quest system is working in juvenile courts to keep those who committed violent crimes in custody as adults.
Also on the issue of crime, Marsy’s Law will be on the ballot in 2026.
SJR 25 was passed and voters will have the opportunity to vote on the amendment, which will keep violent offenders in custody. It will expand offenses for which judges can deny bail to defendants accused of capital offenses, acts of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape and grave torture.
Tennessee’s current regulations allow judges to deny bail for capital offenses. SJR 25 does not deny bail. It gives a judge discretion. It also requires a judge and magistrates to explain why they allow or deny bail.
