Williamson County’s establishment slate is at it again—this time with a deceptive mailer designed to mislead voters. We break down the lies, expose their tactics, and reveal what they don’t want you to know about the fight for real conservative leadership.
With the Williamson County Republican Party’s (WCRP) reorganization meeting approaching, establishment figures are resorting to misinformation and fear-mongering to regain control of a party that has flourished under grassroots leadership. Their latest mailer, sent on behalf of the so-called "Williamson County Conservatives" slate, is riddled with baseless accusations, misleading assertions, and outright lies—all designed to manipulate voters into restoring the old guard to power.
Let’s break down the claims, expose the reality, and reveal the true motives behind this desperate attempt to mislead Williamson County Republicans.
Claim #1: The Current Board is “Canceling Elections” and “Installing Candidates”
Reality: Caucuses Are a Legal and Transparent Alternative to Open Primaries
One of the most egregious lies in this mailer is the claim that the current WCRP leadership wants to “cancel elections” and “install” candidates. What they are referring to—without saying it outright—is the possibility that the new board may opt for caucuses instead of open primaries.
A caucus is not an appointment process—it is a legal and transparent method of selecting candidates that allows bona fide Republican voters to choose their nominees without interference from Democrats who cross over in open primaries. Unlike open primaries, where anyone can participate—including those who do not share Republican values—a caucus ensures that Republican voters, and Republican voters alone, determine their candidates.
The only people who benefit from open primaries are those who want Democrats to influence Republican elections—which is exactly why the establishment is fighting so hard to keep them.
Additionally, it was Brian Clifford, the slate’s proposed chairman, who actually voted to install a candidate by appointing Cheryl Brown to the County Commission after voters in District 10 made it clear they wanted to choose their own representative. It was only because the current WCRP leadership insisted on holding a Republican caucus for District 10 that voters were able to select Bill Petty as their nominee—who then went on to win the general election. Under the old regime, this wouldn’t have happened.
Claim #2: The Current Board “Opposes Republican Nominees” and Helps Democrats
Reality: Every Republican Candidate Was Supported—No Exceptions
Another blatant falsehood in the mailer is that the current WCRP leadership has refused to support Republican nominees. In reality, every single Republican candidate was offered the same level of support.
The truth is, some candidates chose not to accept financial or in-kind assistance from the party. The WCRP cannot force candidates to take campaign contributions if they decline them. The idea that the board “picks and chooses” which candidates to support is pure fiction.
Furthermore, the only "Democrat" who won in Williamson County under the current board was a so-called ‘Republican’ who has exploited open primaries for years—Eric Welch. He used Democrat crossover votes to beat establishment Republican Ali Adair for the District 10 school board seat in 2022, before this board took over. The establishment slate conveniently ignores this fact because they benefit from Democrat crossover voting. In fact, it is the only way they can win.
Meanwhile, under the old establishment leadership—which included Cheryl Brown—actual Republican candidates were abandoned in favor of hand-picked insiders. In fact, Jay Galbreath, a sitting Republican School Board member for District 6 in Williamson County, openly supported a Democrat running as an Independent in the last school board election—someone who has donated repeatedly to Joe Biden’s campaign.
The current WCRP leadership took action against this type of behavior by passing a resolution condemning elected Republicans who campaign against other Republicans and stating that they will not receive party support if they run as Republicans in the future. That is not helping Democrats—that is holding Republicans accountable.
Claim #3: The Current Board Holds “Secret Meetings” and Engages in “Backroom Deals”
Reality: The Current Board Is More Transparent Than In Past Years
The establishment slate is trying to convince voters that the WCRP operates in secrecy—but this couldn’t be further from the truth. The current board holds monthly meetings, open to all dues-paying members, just as the bylaws require.
Compare that to the actual secretive behavior of the old leadership—which included Cheryl Brown, the former chair of the WCRP. When grassroots conservatives tried to attend a monthly meeting in accordance with the bylaws, Brown called the police on them to keep them out.
Under the current leadership, party meetings are welcoming, transparent, and conducted according to the rules—no police required.
Claim #4: The Current Board “Removed Elected Trump Delegates” to the RNC Convention
Reality: Delegates Were Disqualified for Failing to Meet Republican Party and State Eligibility Requirements—Not for Their Candidate Affiliation
The assertion that the current board "removed elected Trump delegates" is misleading and ignores the fundamental requirements for delegate eligibility under Tennessee state law and Republican Party bylaws.
The individuals in question were never qualified to serve as delegates in the first place—not because of their support for Trump or any other candidate, but because they failed to meet the bona fide Republican requirements outlined in party rules. These standards are in place to ensure that only verified, committed Republicans represent Tennessee at the Republican National Convention.
While these individuals may have been elected, their failure to meet the basic qualifications meant they could not legally or procedurally be sent to the convention. This process applies equally to all potential delegates, regardless of which presidential candidate they support. If someone does not meet the bona fide standard, they cannot serve—plain and simple.
To claim this was about targeting Trump delegates is an intentional distortion of the truth. The Republican Party of Tennessee upheld its longstanding rules and legal obligations to ensure only qualified individuals represent the state on the national stage.
The establishment’s real problem isn’t with how the party is run—it’s that they lost control. And ever since grassroots conservatives took over in a landslide 3-to-1 victory in 2023, the results speak for themselves:
- Membership has increased by 68%.
- Chairman’s Circle donations have increased by 62%.
- Funding to Republican candidates has QUADRUPLED.
- Cash on hand has quadrupled—from $40,000 in April 2023 to $160,000 today.
- Illegal crossover voting in Republican primaries has been reduced by 43% through voter education efforts.
The WCRP is now stronger, better funded, and more grassroots-driven than ever. That is why the establishment is fighting so hard to regain control—not because they care about the party’s success, but because they want to reclaim their power.
Who ARE the Establishment Slate?
The so-called “Williamson County Conservatives” slate includes:
- Brian Clifford - Chairman
- Ali Adair - 1st Vice Chair
- Drell Floyd - 2nd Vice Chair
- Patti Carroll - 3rd Vice Chair
- Michelle Sutton - Treasurer
- Steven Tyler Giorno - Assistant Treasurer
- Kimberly Calcote - Secretary
- Rob Verell - Assistant Secretary
What do these names have in common? Several of them supported the appointment of Cheryl Brown to the Williamson County Commission—ignoring the will of the people. And if given power again, they will return to the same old cronyism that voters rejected in 2023.
The Bottom Line: Who Do You Trust?
The upcoming WCRP reorganization is about one simple question: Do you want to continue the success of the grassroots movement, or return to the days of backroom deals and establishment control?
Do you want a party that listens to voters, grows its membership, raises more money, and supports all Republican candidates fairly?
Or do you want a party that operates in secrecy, calls the police on its own members, and allows Democrats to manipulate our elections?
The answer should be obvious. Don’t fall for the establishment’s lies. The grassroots movement is winning—and that’s exactly why they are so desperate to take it back.
Stay informed. Stay engaged. And most importantly, show up on March 4th to vote. Let’s keep the WCRP in the hands of the people—not the politicians.
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