Brian Clifford: Potential Conflict of Interest in GOP Leadership and County Government

As the Williamson County GOP reorganization approaches, questions are surfacing about Brian Clifford, the establishment-backed candidate for party chairman. Clifford, currently serving as a District 12 County Commissioner and a Director in the Bureau of Parks and Conservation, brings potential conflicts of interest that deserve thorough scrutiny—especially if he pursues a future run for County Mayor.

His political background, connections to county business interests, and ability to remain impartial as GOP chair while holding public office raise critical questions for Republican voters who expect accountability and transparencyfrom party leadership.

Clifford’s Path to the County Commission: Was the Field Cleared?

Clifford first ran for County Commission in 2022 despite not meeting the bona fide Republican criteria—he did not vote in the 2020 GOP primaries, yet his candidacy was not challenged.

Meanwhile, three other District 12 candidates—Jaime Lima (SB), Jennifer Swaim (CC), and John Dillon (CC)—were challenged for not being bona fide Republicans. The challenges were led by Charles and Annie (Drury) Pareigis, a politically connected couple with substantial financial ties to county government.

• Charles Pareigis is the President of the Drury Group Insurance Company, which provides insurance services to Williamson County employees and is paid millions in taxpayer dollars for its services.
• His wife, Annie Drury Pareigis, is the daughter of Ralph Drury, the company’s founder.

This raises key concerns:

1.     Why were non-bona fide candidates challenged, but Clifford was not?

2.     Did the Drury-Pareigis family aim to influence the race to ensure a favorable candidate won?

3.     Is Clifford politically aligned with individuals who financially benefit from county contracts?

These are serious questions that deserve answers—especially as Clifford seeks to move into an even more powerful position within the local GOP.

Can Clifford Balance GOP Leadership and His Government Roles?

If Clifford is elected Williamson County GOP chairman, he will be responsible for enforcing party rules, holding elected officials accountable, and ensuring the party remains focused on conservative priorities.

However, Clifford already holds two government roles:

• He is a sitting District 12 County Commissioner
• He is a Director in the Bureau of Parks and Conservation, a position that was appointed by Governor Lee. 

This brings up a practical issue: Can he effectively run the party while balancing these government positions?

Additionally, if Clifford chooses to run for re-election to County Commission or run for County Mayor, Tennessee Republican Party bylaws require him to take a leave of absence during his campaign. That means he would have to step away from GOP leadership at a time when the party needs strong, stable direction.

Voters should ask:

• Is it wise to elect a chairman who may abandon the role mid-term to focus on another political race?
• Does Williamson County need a GOP leader who is fully committed to the role, rather than one who is splitting focus between multiple positions?

Potential Conflict of Interest: Can Clifford Be Impartial?

A county commissioner serving as GOP chairman creates inherent conflict-of-interest concerns. The Republican Party must be able to hold its elected officials accountable, yet Clifford would be responsible for enforcing GOP principles while also being a voting member of county government.

This raises two major issues:

1.     Can Clifford be trusted to challenge fellow commissioners when they deviate from conservative principles?

o   If members of the County Commission push policies that contradict Republican values, will he call them out, or will his position as a colleague prevent him from taking action?

2.     Will Clifford hold state officials accountable, given that he is a state employee?

o   His employment with the state government means he works under the leadership of elected Republican officials.

o   If state legislators or the governor take positions contrary to the Republican platform, will he risk his job by speaking out?

 This dual role creates a built-in political conflict, making it difficult for Clifford to act as an impartial GOP enforcer.

 Voting Record: Not Always Reflecting Grassroots Conservative Values

Clifford’s votes on the County Commission do not always reflect grassroots conservative priorities. One major example is his vote in favor of purchasing new election machines.

While these machines are a different brand than Dominion, they are functionally identical to the ones at the center of widespread election security concerns following the 2020 election.

For grassroots conservatives who have raised repeated concerns about election integrity, Clifford’s support for these machines was a significant disappointment.

If he did not stand with the grassroots on this critical issue, will he prioritize establishment interests over conservative voters as GOP chairman?

What Happens If Clifford Runs for County Mayor?

 Speculation is growing that Clifford may run for County Mayor in the future. If that happens:

1.     He will have to step down as GOP chairman mid-term, leaving the party leaderless at a crucial time.

2.     His potential conflicts of interest will deepen. As both a commissioner and a state employee, he is already in a politically sensitive position. A run for mayor would only increase scrutiny on his connections and decision-making.

3.     His close ties to politically influential figures could create concerns about outside influence on county leadership.

If Clifford intends to pursue higher office, should he focus on that goal rather than using the GOP chairmanship as a steppingstone?

 Conclusion: The Williamson County GOP Needs a Leader Fully Committed to the Role

Brian Clifford’s political background, connections to establishment figures, and past votes raise concerns about his ability to effectively lead the Williamson County GOP in a way that reflects grassroots conservative values.

• He was not a bona fide Republican in 2022, yet was given a free pass while others were challenged.
• His government positions create unavoidable conflicts of interest.
• His votes have not always reflected conservative grassroots priorities, including his support for voting machines similar to those that fueled controversy in 2020.
• If he runs for mayor, he will leave the party without leadership mid-term.

Williamson County Republicans must decide whether they want a fully committed, independent chairman—or an establishment-backed official with conflicting obligations and potential political ambitions.

If Clifford cannot prioritize the Republican Party’s leadership over his government roles and future campaigns, should he really be the one leading it?

🚨 WCRP REORGANIZATION CONVENTION – VENUE CHANGE ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨

Due to unprecedented registration numbers and capacity concerns at The Factory, the WCRP Reorganization Convention on March 4th will now be held at:

📍 NEW VENUE: Williamson County Convention Center at the Cool Springs Marriott
📅 Date: March 4th (UNCHANGED)
⏰ Doors Open: 4:30 PM | Doors Close Promptly: 6:00 PM

Current registrations are already outpacing last time, making the potential for massive walk-up attendance highly likely. To ensure a smooth and fair process, the Contest & Credentials Committee (CCC) took swift action to secure a larger venue without manipulating the schedule for extended electioneering.

Unlike Cheryl Brown's Cavalcade of Corrupt Conventioneers, Williamson County CCC prioritized integrity and transparency, ensuring a properly run convention without delay or behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

‼️ SPREAD THE WORD – DO NOT GO TO THE FACTORY! ‼️
🚀 See you at the Williamson County Convention Center! 🔥 #WCRP #ConventionUpdate #NoMoreCorruptConventioneers

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