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.

Faulk Gains Early Endorsements!

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, U. S. Congressman Zack Wamp, and Conservative Talk-Show Icon Steve Gill all told those attending the Claiborne County Lincoln Day Dinner last week in Harrogate at Lincoln Memorial University that Mike Faulk, former First Vice-Chairman of the Hawkins County Republican Party, will be, with their help, the next State Senator from the 4th District.

Faulk, who has made no formal announcement, continues to lay the groundwork for a bid for the Tennessee Senate to return the seat to the Republican Party.

Faulk told those attending the Bi-Annual GOP Reorganization meeting that he had urged our current State Senator to vote for and elect a Republican Lieutenant Governor by e-mail and leaving a message at his office just prior to the January 8, 2007 historic vote. "I have no idea whether he got the message and, if he did, whether it made a difference."

Faulk's message included an additional incentive: "I said he wouldn't have me to worry about as a primary opponent if he voted for and elected a Republican Lt. Governor." After the Senate elected a new Lt. Governor, Faulk continued to make the rounds visiting all over the Fourth District just in case the incumbent Senator chose not to seek re-election.

"Now that he is no longer a Republican, I can quicken the pace of laying the groundwork for a Senate bid. Since he thinks the our party left him, I feel free to begin preparations in earnest for the August 2008 GOP Primary," Faulk said.

Claiborne County GOP Dinner to Feature Nashville Talk-Show Host Steve Gill

Newly re-elected Claiborne County GOP Chairperson Judi Swilling has announced Nashville conservative talk-show host Steve Gill will be the guest speaker at the 2007 Claiborne County Lincoln Day Dinner.

The event is set for 7pm, Saturday, March 17, 2007, at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee. Ticket prices are $40 and may be obtained by calling Judi Swilling at (423) 626-4455.