TN-5 GOP Primary Candidate Tres Wittum Blasts Lindsey Graham’s Response to Removal of Ortagus and Starbuck from Ballot

In a statement, State Senate aide and TN-5 GOP primary candidate Tres Wittum blasted U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)’s response to the removal of carpetbaggers Morgan Ortagus and Robby Starbuck from the ballot.

The statement said, “On Thursday morning Tres Wittum took to Twitter to address the ongoing controversy with the Tennessee GOP Executive Committee’s decision over GOP ‘bonafide’ credentials to run as a Republican candidate on the 2022 ballot. On Wednesday, South Carolina U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham had tweeted what Wittum calls ‘overreaching and offensive speech’ towards the Volunteer state.

It continued: “In a string of tweets, Wittum addressed the two out-of-state senators. Wittum’s statement can be read in full text as well as in tweets, below.”

“@Lindseygrahamsc If you are looking for corruption, look no further than the US senate. Your system of corruption started on 4/8/1913. Since then the U.S. has seen elections stolen and mandates on states that have broken state economies, and bankrupted our country.”

“@Lindseygrahamsc who do you think you are / what authority do you and senator @drrandpaul think you have in recruiting anyone to run for office in Tn?”

“Calling Tennesseans good ole (corrupt) boys, because we reject your picks for Tennessee? The good ole boys are clearly in the US senate, recruiting for your Washington agenda.”

“You don’t know TN better than we do – Tennessee will pick our own volunteers, and we will always reject D.C. insider imports, every time.”

Graham has made a number of tweets expressing his displeasure with the TNGOP over the removal of Ortagus and Starbuck. One seemed to threaten Nashville’s bid to host the 2024 Republican National Convention.

“If you are looking for Exhibit A of political corruption and Good ole Boy politics, you need to look no further than #TN-5,” it said. “I can’t imagine having the 2024 Republican National Convention in a state that would allow this type of corrupt politics. ”

The tweets clearly drew the ire of Wittum, who also gave a litany of reasons why he believes that Nashville should host the 2024 convention.

Just a few examples why TN is BEST choice for GOP Convention 24’

1) No Income tax! States could learn from our lead.
2) Fastest turnaround in EDU scores
3) “Top 5 state for business”
4) TN just passed Strongest Anti BDS/ Pro Israel legislation in the nation (SB1993).
5) Leading in “Big Tech” oversight legislation – Something congress couldn’t figure out.
Section 230 being addressed. (SB2161)

“You don’t know Tennessee because if you did you would know why Tennessee is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Especially TN-5.”

Wittum additionally explained his view of the removal process to the senator.

“But since you make uneducated statements, let me explain to you what happened: When it comes to residency requirements, TN has made the requirement for the US House/Senate consistent, constitutionally with our State House/Senate.. and if you’re thinking of coming here to be our governor, you have to live here for 7. Years not months.”

“Tennesseans find this important because that means you have participated in at least one of our elections.

When it comes to @TNGOP bylaws, the TNGOP holds republicans accountable to vote in 3/4 primary elections. Which isn’t hard to do if you are here and active.”

“You’re talking a lot about China and TN which isn’t your responsibility. So let me ask you, what have you done for South Carolina today?”

Graham endorsed Ortagus in the TN-5 race and even headlined a fundraiser for her. That D.C. Ash Wednesday fundraiser was headlined by Graham as well as several Never Trumpers, RINOs, and D.C. insiders.

The point of contact for the event, Lisa Spies, has a history of badmouthing President Trump and was a Never Trumper in 2016. The Dallas Morning News quoted Spies in 2016, where she said, “There are so many groups he’s alienated, but as far as women, it’s not just that he halted our progress, it’s that he reversed it.”

Spies also said, “Trump is not only going to lose the women’s vote, he’ll lose the Republican women vote.” President Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in 2016.

As of press time, Graham has yet to respond to Wittum.

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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “Tres Wittum” by Tres Wittum. Photo “Lindsey Graham” by Brett Flashnick. Background Photo “U.S. Capitol” by Martin Falbisoner. CC BY-SA 3.0.