Williamson Families PAC called on now-convicted felon and judicial candidate Connie Reguli to withdraw from the Williamson County May 3 Republican primary.
The Williamson Families PAC, which is a conservative group based in Franklin, Tennessee, previously endorsed Reguli but the political action committee retracted the endorsement.
A statement was released on Facebook after Reguli was convicted of a misdemeanor and two felonies.
“I am sure you are troubled like we are at yesterday’s court ruling concerning judicial candidate Connie Reguli. When we spoke to Ms. Reguli, we based our decision to support her on information the court has determined to be untrue,” the group said. “We need judges who the community will trust to uphold the law and promote justice – especially with youth and families in distress.”
The group ended the statement by retracting its endorsement and calling on Reguli to withdraw from the race.
“Per 1 Timothy 3:2, a leader is to be above reproach, and that bar has not been met in this case,” the group said. “Williamson Families fully retracts our support and calls on Ms. Reguli to withdraw from the race.”
The Tennessee Star previously reported that Reguli was found guilty of a misdemeanor and two Class E felonies due to her 2018 role in a situation that resulted in a missing child being found in her home. Reguli is scheduled to be sentenced on June 24 for the charges.
Additionally, the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee shows a record that Reguli has been suspended from the practice of law due to the prior mentioned convictions.
A Williamson County election official confirmed that Reguli was still on the ballot for the May 3 primary.
“The names appearing on the official ballot have not changed,” the official said.
Due to pending litigation, the election official would not comment further.
The qualifications for serving on the juvenile court bench include “[s]hall be licensed to practice law in this state. (TCA 16-15-5005).” Given Reguli’s current suspended status, she is ineligible to serve on the bench.
Reguli is running in the May 3 GOP primary against incumbent Juvenile Court Judge Sharon Guffee. She named Guffee and others, including the state of Tennessee, as defendants in a lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in part because Guffee was the judge in a case involving Reguli’s daughter.
According to court documents, Guffee repeatedly ruled against Reguli’s position in the case. The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee dismissed the case against Guffee and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed its decision.
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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 “Connie Reguli” by Connie Reguli.Â
