Hawkins County Turns Out with Big Numbers to Claiborne Lincoln Day: Steve Gill Endorses Mike Faulk for State Senate

A large delegation from Hawkins County attended the Claibonre County Lincoln Day Dinner Feb. 15 at Lincoln Memorial University.

Among the Hawkins County contingent were Hawkins County party officers and spouses: Chuck & Kay Holt, Cecile & Luke Lee, Kathy Cradic, Lois Mayes, and Frankie Davis. Also, attending were Hawkins County Highway Supt. Lowell Bean and wife, Linda, Jerry & Betty Walters, Hawkins County Young Republican Chairman Kelli Walker, Dr. George Testerman of Kingsport and State Senate hopeful Mike Faulk. Other guests at the Hawkins County tables included blogger Rob Huddleston who authors Voluntarily Conservative his wife, GOP State Executive Committeewoman from Knox County, Angela Huddleston, and their newborn son, Leo.

Lois Mayes won an autographed red plaid shirt from United States Senator Lamar Alexander, who was also the keynote speaker. Alexander was introduced by Nashville radio talk show icon, Steve Gill.

Gill was the talk show host who rallied the citizens of Nashville to surround the Capitol and blow their horns in displeasure when the legislature was trying to pass a state income tax. The Steve Gill Show was broadcast live from the Lincoln Memorial campus on Saturday.

Steve Gill endorsed Mike Faulk for the State Senate telling the crowd to send his old buddy, Mike Faulk, to Nashville as its next State Senator so the Tennessee Senate will have a true conservative as the solid 17th vote in a Republican majority.

Attendees also enjoyed meeting Dave Chesney, father of renouned Country Music Star, Kenny Chesney, who will run for a seat on the Claiborne County Board of Education.

Claiborne County Lincoln Day Dinner: Lamar Alexander to Headline

The Republican Party of Claiborne County has announced that Senator Lamar Alexander will be the headline speaker at its 2008 Lincoln Day Dinner. The event will be held appropriately at Lincoln Memorial University in the school cafeteria on Friday, February 15, 2008 beginning at 7:00 pm.

Tickets for the event are $35.00 per person or tables of eight may be purchased for $250.00. The dinner is known for the very fine meal served by the LMU Food Services staff.

GOP Chairwoman Judi Swilling said, "Sen. Alexander has dominated Tennessee politics for over thirty years - but he's never forgotten his east Tennessee roots. We all still call him 'Lamar' and everyone knows who you're talking about."

Swilling added, "We're equally delighted that Hawkins County's Mike Faulk and an entourage of his supporters for the State Senate seat will be attending."

Please call or e-mail Cecile Testerman (423) 921-8040 to put your name on the list of those from Hawkins County who'll attend so we can get the $250.00 rate for a table or two.

Claiborne County GOP Reorganizes

Members of the Claiborne County Republican Party reorganized on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at the old Claiborne County Courthouse, according to Mike Faulk who attended the meeting along with Trey Lefler, State Field Representative for the Lamar Alexander for U. S. Senate campaign.

Judi Swilling was re-elected as Party Chairperson. Serving the next two years as Vice-Chairman will be Travis Moody. Holly Cheek was re-elected as Party Secretary. Mitzi Surber will serve as Treasurer. Chairperson Swilling appointed Janice Derreberry as Parlimentarian and Rev. Bill Duncan as Party Chaplain.