Metro Councilwoman Courtney Johnston, who recently announced a primary challenge to Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN-05), previously urged Governor Bill Lee to call a special session to pass legislation targeting firearms in a 2022 open letter.
Johnston argued in her letter that “thoughts and prayers are no longer enough” and urged Lee to “take a hard look at our policies and what we can and should do differently.”
“It’s time to have the hard conversations about gun rights and responsibilities,” Johnston claimed, before declaring that “hard and uncomfortable” conversations must also include “mental health.”
Still, Johnston maintained that “responsibility” and not “gun control” were the focus of her letter.
“This is not about gun control. I’m not questioning the second amendment.” Johnston then claimed, “with that right comes responsibility,” and asserted, “It shouldn’t require more education and licensure to drive a vehicle that was designed for transportation than to get a gun that was designed for the sole purpose of killing.”
Johnston then told Lee, “I’m asking you as a fellow Tennessean, as a representative of my district in Davidson County, and as a human being to call a special legislative session to focus on the areas of gun rights and responsibilities, mental health, and school security,” before ultimately instructing the governor, “It’s time.”
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The Tennessee Star asked Johnston’s campaign about the 2022 letter, and specifically whether its contents reflect her current position on firearm ownership, but did not receive a response prior to press time.
While she expressed support for former President Donald Trump, securing the border and funding law enforcement when she announced her candidacy, Johnston’s campaign website remained devoid of policy positions or issue statements at press time.
Despite Johnston’s description of herself as a conservative, she previously acknowledged finding areas of agreement with liberal members of the Metro Nashville Council, citing the body’s limited scope.
“I’m not out here fighting abortion or LGBT anything, like some conservative-leaning groups want me to and have pressured me to do,” Johnston explained in 2023 remarks to Nashville Scene. She added, “That’s not what I’m here to do. But we can all agree on fiscal responsibility.”
Johnston’s campaign also shares a connection with the “moderate” political group, The Best of Tennessee.
Her campaign treasurer, seasoned political fundraiser Kim Kaegi, was recently announced as the co-founder of The Best of Tennessee. Kaegi founded the organization with Chloe Akers, the pro-abortion Knoxville lawyer and Democratic voter.
Federal Elections Commission (FEC) reports indicate that Best of Tennessee’s own treasurer, James Seabury III, has donated to every Republican presidential nominee since 2004, with the notable exception of former President Donald Trump.
Seabury did not donate to Trump during the 2024 Republican nominating process, but donated thousands in total to the campaigns of former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The treasurer’s donations are not limited to Republicans, however, as last year Seabury donated $1,000 to the former Democratic challenger to Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and the Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Courtney Johnston” by Courtney Johnston and “Open Letter” by Courtney Johnston.
