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Holly McCall Profile
Holly McCall

@jhollymc

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Editor in chief, @tnlookout . All tweets are my own and don't express the views of the organization. Hypocrisy is my business and business is good.

Franklin, TN
Joined March 2010
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Breaking news: GOP Rep. @robints has been indicted on federal charges of wire fraud in the Middle District of Tennessee. Story to follow.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Taking my editor hat off, and putting on my Tennessean hat. Most Thursdays this year, I do a rundown on legislative happenings. Today, the Tennessee General Assembly expelled two democratically-elected young Black men,
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
I'm a native Tennessean. Today, I'm sad and embarrassed about the way we look on the national stage. I'm angry a lot. I'm glad my folks aren't here now to see what has happened to our home.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
To talk about decorum now is ridiculous. This wasn't about decorum. People who peed in chairs, were convicted of domestic assault, bugged their colleagues' offices, sent racist and sexist texts with staff members, admitted to sexually assaulting high school girls they coached --
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Students from Nashville-area high schools and colleges, including @BelmontUniv and @VanderbiltU , are pouring into downtown Nashville to gather at the Capitol for another rally to call for safe gun laws following last week's mass school shooting.
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Andrew Maraniss
1 year
Belmont students coming from another direction
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
As a note: Rep. Justin Lafferty, who just shoved @brotherjones_ is the same representative who defended The Three-Fifths Compromise in 2021, the federal measure that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Another representative, a white woman -- who has a strong voice, don't get me wrong -- wasn't expelled. Was it about her race? This was a vote about race alright.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
The last time a representative was expelled was in 2016, a Republican who sexually assaulted or harassed at least 22 women. The state attorney general investigated and confirmed. He was only expelled AFTER he was pushed out the GOP primary and considered unhelpful.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Republicans don't like her, either. The House Speaker gave her a closet as an office two years ago. But she was defended by two white male lawyers, both former state representatives.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
We confirmed this with other sources. On one of the hottest days of the year, state officials turned off water fountains. This is not normal democratic behavior.
@mrthackston
Matt Thackston
10 months
My wife was at the Capitol to protest today, and she reports that they were confiscating water bottles at the door AND they turned off all the water fountains in the Capitol. Fascist cowards. They are so afraid of us. Keep going.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Not expelled.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
It didn't help that they are Democrats but I am not at all convinced a white Democratic member would have faced expulsion. The members named to be expelled were notified Monday. No investigation.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Duly elected officials mighty skeered of 8.5- x 11-inch paper.
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
10 months
BREAKING: Drama in Tennessee House subcommittee as protesters are removed by state troopers. Their violation: quietly holding up signs.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
As has been pointed out, I am no spring chicken and times have changed, but I was taught in politics not to mention your opponent's name lest you give them more exposure. But dadgum,Gloria Johnson launches a Senate race and every Tennessee Republican has her name in their mouths.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
For years, I've said no one outside Tennessee cares about Tennessee. Not national Republicans, who know it's a sure thing. Not national Democrats, who think it's a lost cause. For damn sure, people are paying attention to Tennessee now.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Next up, Sergeant at Arms is reading the expulsion charges for @Justinjpearson . I predict he gets expelled and to expel two young, Black men is a really, really, really, really bad look in the state where the KKK was founded.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Who. Did. This.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Apparently, the house, Republican caucus in Tennessee is in another damage control session. One source with a caucus told me: "Cameron's (Sexton's) response? Let's take the members to Top Golf so they remember how much they love me."
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Looks like @glencasada and Cade Cothren are involved - but to be clear, not indicted. “Individual 1 was a member of the Tennessee House. . . Served as Speaker of the Tennessee House from in or around Jan. 2019 until or around Aug. 2019.”
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
@DouglasMoser @BrianSimsPA Well, I was here first. I'm damned if I will leave because of the indecency.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
I'm at Mayor Ken Moore's election event & looking at returns, the "normal" candidates are winning in a blowout. Every one of them.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Hundreds of teenagers came to the Tennessee Capitol to rally for safe gun laws three days after an elementary school shooting. This video is when state troopers were clearing the crowd so legislators could go to the bathroom.
@CollinRugg
Collin Rugg
1 year
This is a very dark day for democracy in the state of Tennessee. Im literally shaking right now. I can’t believe this is happening.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
6 years
Per @JoyAnnReid : the top story of 2017 is #TheResistance . Keep resisting, sisters and brothers!
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
7 months
I am floored. This is one of the most gracious things I've ever encountered in my career--especially these days, when journalists are routinely harassed beyond normal and fair criticism. I'm proud to be part of this group. Cc: @TNLookout .
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
7 months
After several tough weeks covering elections in Franklin TN, anonymous Westhaven residents take out a full-page ad in the ⁦ @wherald ⁩, thanking local media who displayed “utmost professionalism, even when they encountered threats to their personal safety.” Thank you! 🙏
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Holly McCall
2 years
“Individual 2 was a businessman and former Chief of Staff to Individual 1 when Individual 1 was Tennessee House a speaker,”
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
The feds further allege the Smith knew that Matthew Phoenix was a fictitious person and was in fact individual to, a.k.a. Cothren.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
5 years
It's early in primary season and a lot will change, but I'll say this: @BetoORourke has been a big damn hit in Tennessee and won fans. Thanks for the time you've given us.
@nashvilledems
Davidson County Democrats
5 years
Great meet and greet with @BetoORourke this evening. He looks great wearing @nashvilledems swag!
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Somebody gonna be big mad.
@schelzig
Erik Schelzig
10 months
The restricted House gallery has been infiltrated by protesters with an illicit banner.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
I’m clearly reading federal documents now and “Matthew Phoenix” makes an appearance in paragraph 6.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
Oh tweeps. The Williamson Families PAC, which supports Gabrielle Hanson, misspelled the link to their website in a text the group sent. Now, someone has bought the domain and -- well, see for yourself.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Last week, I addressed the question of whether Tennessee is a democracy and questioned how the legislature would behave this week. As it gavels into session, restricting citizens from entering the Capitol, we now know.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
House Speaker @CSexton25 gives @Justinjpearson a shove with his shoulder.
@kelsey_beyeler
Kelsey Beyeler
10 months
Session is over but not without outrage
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
Like Phil, I hadn't planned to publicly comment, but yup, I'm the Holly these guys want to beat the shit out of.
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
8 months
I had not intended to comment on this Telegram post, but since others have posted it, I will offer two brief observations: This is a story that is important to this community. I will not be deterred from continuing to do my job. 1/
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Holly McCall
1 year
Man, there's definitely more than one rat leaving the Tennessee Republican ship. This is the second leaked audio out today.
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
1 year
"WE HAVE TO REBRAND THAT!" Want more evidence that Tennessee Republicans are worried about the far right of their party and the gun lobby following the #CovenantSchoolShooting ? Listen to how Majority Leader @SenJohnson tells constituents they cannot use the words "red flag."
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
It's a good night to be screenshotting Tennessee elected officials.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
"I'm Gloria Johnson and I'm running for U.S. Senate," says @VoteGloriaJ . She chose Central High to announce as she taught there --including in 2008 when a student was shot to death there.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Just in: @tndp has filed suit against Tennessee Republicans for gerrymandering.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
YOU GUYS. My county gets stranger all the time. James O'Keefe, who was fired from the Veritas Project, went to the Williamson County School Board meeting.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
A) This woman has no business in public office. B) If she didn't like this, I feel certain she won't like the story we are working on.
@formvscontent
Matt Masters
1 year
After the 4/25/23 Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting Alderman Gabrielle Hanson threatened to have me (a journalist) "arrested" for asking her for a comment in public. Guess she's not a fan of the 1st Amendment.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Tonight, I was trying to sum up the week in Tennessee politics and here's what I came up with: I can't think of one single damn productive thing that happened in the legislature.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
7 months
I'm always baffled when elected officials who are, in fact, the government, say "government isn't the answer."
@GovBillLee
Gov. Bill Lee
7 months
Last night, I joined faith leaders at COGIC’s Civic Night in Memphis. Government isn’t the answer to the greatest challenges we face, & I commend the unwavering partnership of this faith community to strengthen TN children & families in need across our state.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Signs are back in the legislature: A judge has shot down a new House rule banning signs.
@anitawadhwani
Anita Wadhwani
10 months
Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin has just issued a temporary restraining order barring the TN House of Representatives from enforcing their sign ban
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
The media was there. Every member of the Capitol Hill Press has photos and video: there was no danger and it's ludicrous for representatives to say they feared for their lives. Most stayed at their desks or walked around during the recess.
@zenjen53
ZenJen
1 year
@TheTNHoller @NC5PhilWilliams This is Dan Howells email response to one of his constituents
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
3 months
Interesting results for local political junkies: In Sumner County, every member of the Sumner County Constitutional Republican -- who over the weekend were predicting big wins -- on the ballot lost, several by large margins.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Well, I went with the homeless column. And the more I’ve thought about Tennessee’s bill and our lawmakers who profess to be Christian and treat the homeless poorly, the crankier I’ve gotten.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
Not one public peep from the governor or members of the state delegation.
@NC5
NewsChannel 5
8 months
White supremacist group delivers show of force for Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Got a story coming in @TNLookout about a Tennessee Republican lawmaker who is unilaterally ordering state universities to suspend protections of LGBTQ students. For all their talk about obsessions, seems to me Tennessee Republicans spend a lot of time thinking about LGBTQ folks.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Today's random/weird/pleasant thing: I got a call from the former -- as in mid-80's--lieutenant governor of Delaware. He called to tell me he wants to stage a campaign to get Dolly Parton to run for Senate against Marsha Blackburn.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
The Tennessee House Republican Caucus is leaking like a sieve. One of my sources told me several days ago there is a lot of angst over how this was handled--including anger with Speaker Sexton.
@TheTNHoller
The Tennessee Holler
1 year
⚡️NEW LEAKED AUDIO: TN House Republicans infighting over #TennesseeThree votes. CEPICKY: “You gotta do what’s right even when you think it might be wrong.”🤔 Leadership says Barrett made them look racist, Cepicky says they're at "war", etc. must-listen.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
This, in my opinion, is the biggest win of the election. Leaders of Tennessee Legislature and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn headlined an anti-transgender rally on Sept. 19, 2022 in Nashville.
@tnnaterau
Nate Rau
9 months
I just spoke to Olivia Hill ( @Oliviafornash ), who has apparently made history as the first transgender person ever elected to public office in Tennessee. “It feels like every horrible thing that people have said about trans folks has just washed away," Hill says.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
OMG. @jaketapper on @cnn discussing the disgraceful episode in which House Republican Caucus Leader Jeremy Faison pantsed a high school basketball referee.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
I'll go on the record: I'm far more concerned about how Tennessee's Secretary of State handles voting rights than his DUI.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 months
Meanwhile, in downtown Nashville, students from Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School, Hume Fogg High, Hillsboro High and Belmont University, among others, are walking out at 10 a.m. and meeting for a protest of a Tennessee House Bill to arm teachers.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Press advisory from @VoteGloriaJ : the state rep & member of the "Tennessee Three," will make announcements in Knoxville, Nashville & Memphis on Tuesday--one would certainly think this may be an announcement of a bid for the US Senate.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Knoxville Democratic @VoteGloriaJ fails to be expelled by a vote of 65-30.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
I’m a little angry today. I love Tennessee but once again, in the space of 24 hours, we look like hicks and police thugs. And where are elected official? Radio damn silence. We need leaders in Tennessee, not mealy-mourners who only want credit for the good.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
"Should we really be spending $ on top golf considering you put us at a million dollar fundraising disadvantage?" Says GOP caucus source. ###
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
This, of course, is an insane lie.
@adammintzer
Adam Mintzer
1 year
Tonight, Franklin, TN is set to take a vote on a permit for the city's Pride festival. Here's some of the public comment. "It started out as Pride coming in and I thought everything would be ok...it ended with a rainbow room where 8-12 y/o kids were given butt plugs and dildos."
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
Oh damn. You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit in the wind. You don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Phil.
@JRSLLVN
Jared Sullivan
9 months
Here’s the woman who swatted at @NC5PhilWilliams trying to prevent him from entering the mayoral debate
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Might get suspended from Twitter, as I just called someone an a-hole for implying my friend made up a story about his house being shot at. I am in no mood for bullshit.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
If no one else has pointed this out, I will be the one to go there. Today, six Nashvillians are dead from gun violence, including 3 elementary school kids. Tennessee GOP lawmakers are proceeding today with bills to take authority from 2 Nashville commissions.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Who is providing Tennessee House Republicans with their communications/PR advice? That person needs to be fired. Every step they take seems calculated to make them look incompetent.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
4 months
On February 16, 2012, I walked into a Nashville 12-step meeting a wreck. Thirty days was daunting, much less 12 years. Every single day, I am so grateful to be sober.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
Friends: National news outlets are taking note of the Franklin mayoral race. Shine the light.
@RawStory
Raw Story
8 months
‘You better run’: Neo-Nazis target violent threats at journalists covering Tennessee mayoral race
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
Tells you everything you need to know.
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
9 months
At a candidate forum in Franklin, Tennessee, where members of the white supremacist group Tennessee Active Club are here, saying they are providing security for Gabrielle @HansonforMayor . 1/
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Jussst screenshotting all the tweets with nearly identical language from Tennessee GOP lawmakers outraged that a Trump-appointed judge upheld the Constitution.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Just left a wedding in Austin and what did everyone want to talk about? Tennessee expelling two Black lawmakers and - my hand to God - @NC5PhilWilliams . One guy even imitated his accent.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
One word that was not mentioned in @GovBillLee ’s State of the State: COVID.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Covenant Families Action Fund: "What we witnessed is a disappointing rules package that limits our ability to identify who we are in the gallery. . . we felt we lost a bit of dignity in our identity as parents of survivors."
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Not a drag queen.
@TheTNHoller
The Tennessee Holler
1 year
Meanwhile in WEST TENNESSEE MONDAY — Ex-Benton County coach & youth pastor sentenced to 45 years for exploiting children: TODAY — DCS employee arrested for solicitation of a minor in Bolivar: Not drag performers. @GovBillLee
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Let me tell you: @Justinjpearson is just as powerful a speaker as @brotherjones_ and he's going to lay some preaching on the House.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
Oh boy. @NC5PhilWilliams is talking election law and residency regarding Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson, including a video of her husband in Chicago, giving a Chicago address, as Hanson sits by his side.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
I'm a big believer in the practice of gratitude. Today, I have gratitude for Gabrielle Hanson and her cohort of alderman candidates. You see, some of us in Franklin/Williamson County have been writing/talking about unhealthy elements in local politics for years. (1)
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
With all due respect to Mr. Hayes, the Tennessee Legislature has always been about the rural-urban divide--but the Democrats used to have the rural vote as well as the urban. (See: Ned Mcwherter, Jimmy Naifeh.) That changed about 20 years ago.
@chrislhayes
Chris Hayes
1 year
Obviously race is and racism is front and center in the events in the Tennessee, but another axis of conflict is the accelerating rural / metro divide, and the degree to which Republicans view growing, thriving metro areas as a threat.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
2 years
Call me picky, but I think if you have egregious campaign finance violations, you might shouldn’t be allowed to run for office for at least some period of time.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
My independent thought: Would be interesting if every member of @TNDemocrats decided to step into the well of the House with a bullhorn and forced the majority to expel the whole caucus.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Tennessee Republican lawmakers have the numbers to expel three Democratic colleagues but as one GOP representative pointed out, the act will make "martyrs" of them --and they will get re-elected. (1)
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
7 months
I've got no patience for this bullshit, unless you want to bring up what every lawmaker did at age 21.
@TheTNHoller
The Tennessee Holler
7 months
We asked Committee chair Senator @lundbergjon if it gives him pause that no other states have rejected billions in federal k-12 funds. His response was to go after @Kanew personally, bringing up a DUI from over 20 years ago.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
Just talked to @JRClemmons : Not only is the rotunda of the Tennessee Capitol cordoned off but half the House gallery has been closed. Only "credentialed" visitors will be allowed -- that's shorthand for lobbyists.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
One word: dammmmnnnnnn.
@TheTNHoller
The Tennessee Holler
1 year
WATCH: “Transgender people are people, Representative.” Rep. @Justinjpearson gives Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) a lesson on the constitution as he rips his latest anti-trans youth bill — again focusing on athletes, which has not been an issue in Tennessee.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
8 months
I swear to God, if some young person gets hurt over her bullshit, she will be dealing with me.
@NC5PhilWilliams
Phil Williams
8 months
@HansonforMayor Gabrielle @HansonforMayor now calling out a young Democratic activist by name. He is a Franklin resident and official poll watcher, as provided by state law. There is NOTHING nefarious about that. #FranklinTnElection
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
9 months
Dressing up in cargo shorts and a hoodie for Halloween to terrify my right wing neighbors in Williamson County.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
10 months
From @JRClemmons on an injunction restoring the right to have signs in the Legislature: "It is troubling how often the citizens of our state have to return to the courthouse just to protect their basic constitutional rights from being violated by this GOP supermajority."
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
1 year
Man, my first experience in the legislature was in 1980 when I was a 15-year-old page. I've covered it and I've been part of the politics around it. Today might not be the ugliest/meanest/worse episode but it ranks pretty high.
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@jhollymc
Holly McCall
7 months
Huge and well-deserved. Congratulations to my friend.
@NC5
NewsChannel 5
7 months
Our very own @NC5PhilWilliams received the John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism today! Each year, the chosen recipient of the $25,000 John Chancellor Award is selected "by a distinguished panel of journalists who look across the media landscape to identify a
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