Williamson County GOP & Westhaven Conservatives Host Packed TN-7 Candidate Forum — Without Reeves

On a warm summer evening in Williamson County, the local Republican Party partnered with the Westhaven Conservatives to host what is quickly becoming a hallmark of post-March 4th GOP leadership — a well-organized, well-attended, and truly open-door candidate forum for the upcoming December 2nd special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District.

This was no casual gathering. The room was filled with engaged voters, precinct leaders, and grassroots conservatives eager to hear directly from those seeking to represent them in Washington. Since the grassroots victory in the March 4th reorganization, the Williamson County GOP has made it clear that constituent engagement is not an afterthought — it is the standard. This event was yet another example of a county party setting the tone for excellence in welcoming citizens to meet the people who will be (or already are) campaigning for upcoming elections across Williamson County and Tennessee.

Who Showed Up — and Who Didn’t

Every candidate who had filed for the TN-7 race was invited — except for Adolf Dagen, whose filing came after invitations were sent. Jason Knight did not respond. But the most conspicuous absence was Lee Reeves, who declined to attend.

Reeves’ no-show is notable not just because this was one of the first major opportunities for the GOP grassroots to directly question candidates ahead of early voting — but because he lives in Westhaven, just blocks from the forum venue. This wasn’t a rural county hours away. It was his own neighborhood, making his absence a clear signal of how little priority he places on showing up in person to sell his ideas to the people he seeks to represent.

Instead of engaging, Reeves has chosen what many are calling a “Hidin’ Biden” approach — staying largely off the public stage while relying heavily on PAC dollars, glossy mailers, radio ads, and robocalls. Reports from voters say some households have already received five Reeves flyers, often featuring a large photo of Reeves alongside former President Donald Trump.

Yet, the PACs spending to boost Reeves — including Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and Club for Growth — backed Nikki Haley for president in 2024. Reeves also benefited from substantial out-of-state PAC spending in his prior state house race. For engaged GOP voters who pay attention to donor networks, this disconnect between promotional imagery, and the ideological record of his biggest backers is not going unnoticed.

Just as concerning for many conservatives: Reeves co-sponsored the very bill, alongside Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, that cemented open primaries all the way down to the county level — ensuring that non-Republicans can participate in choosing GOP nominees in every race across Tennessee.

Candidates in Attendance

The evening featured two-minute opening statements from each candidate, followed by a substantive Q&A. Attendees heard from:

• Joe Leures – Marine Corps veteran, Purple Heart recipient, former Nashville police gang detective, and small business owner. Focused on constitutionalism, public safety, and a willingness to “rush toward danger” for constituents.
• Tres Wittum – Former college Republican leader and longtime Tennessee Senate staffer. Spoke on fiscal discipline, border security, and curbing lobbyist influence in Washington.
• Matt Van Epps – West Point graduate, Apache helicopter pilot, special operations veteran, and former Tennessee commissioner. Endorsed by Rep. Mark Green. Emphasized border security, deportation of criminal illegal aliens, and advancing nuclear energy for American independence.
• Stuart Cooper – Businessman, church leader, and former chair of the Williamson County GOP Chairman’s Circle. Advocated for free-market capitalism, fiscal restraint, and religious liberty protections.
• Mason Foley – Gen Z candidate, Clemson student body president, and healthcare startup professional. Promoted technology policy, AI regulation, and an America First platform for the next generation.
• Stuart Parks – Pardoned by Donald Trump for January 6-related charges. Running as an unapologetic Christian conservative opposed to abortion, gender transition procedures, and U.S. funding for Ukraine.
• Gino Bulso – State legislator committed to the U.S. Constitution, limited federal authority, and reducing spending.
• Jody Barrett – State legislator with a 100% conservative voting record from both the Tennessee Legislative Scorecard and the John Birch Society. Stressed independence from leadership pressure and the need for a proven fighter in D.C., not a “show pony.”

Themes & Takeaways

The forum covered a wide range of issues, but five consistent themes emerged:

• Pro-Life Policy – Near-universal opposition to abortion and commitment to protecting life at every stage.
• Border Security – Strong support for securing the southern border and deporting illegal immigrants.
• Federal Overreach – Calls for restoring state sovereignty and rolling back federal over-regulation.
• Constituent-First Representation – Repeated pledges to reject lobbyist pressure and vote in line with district values.
• PAC Influence – Several candidates warned about the influence of outside PACs — a contrast to Reeves’ absence and his heavy reliance on PAC backing.

Many attendees remarked afterward that every single candidate present came across as a quality individual — knowledgeable on the issues, sincere in their convictions, and clearly committed to serving Tennessee well while supporting President Trump’s America First agenda. The differences between them came down to style and approach rather than principle.

Winner in the Straw Poll

When the straw poll was taken after the Q&A, Jody Barrett emerged as the winner, underscoring the appeal of his voting record, direct engagement, and consistent conservative credentials. But the poll results did not overshadow the fact that the entire field made a strong impression on the audience.

Why This Primary Matters More Than Ever

With early voting starting September 17 and running through October 2, the stakes are high. Tennessee’s open primary system doesn’t just allow non-Republicans to vote in Republican primaries — it actively disenfranchises Republican voters by allowing Democrats to dilute the outcome of GOP candidate selection.

By co-sponsoring legislation with Jack Johnson to lock in open primaries all the way to the county level, Reeves has helped create a system where low GOP turnout in primaries guarantees that the Republican nominee is shaped, at least in part, by Democrat crossover votes.

And here’s the bottom line: primaries are where we choose our candidates. If you don’t show up, you are letting others — including those outside the party — make that choice for you. Historically, turnout in primaries is far lower than in general elections. That means a relatively small number of votes can determine who carries the “Republican” label into November.

The Call to Action

If you want nominees who truly reflect Republican values, you must show up in the primaries. In an open primary system, staying home all but guarantees diluted results. You don’t get to complain about your choices in the general election if you didn’t help make them in the primary.

The Williamson County GOP is doing its part — hosting events, facilitating voter access to candidates, and creating a political culture where citizens are informed and engaged.

Now it’s on Republican voters to meet that effort at the ballot box.

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