Tennessee Chapter of the RINO Removal Project Taking Back the Volunteer State GOP!
Welcome, Tennesseans! The Tennessee Chapter of the RINO Removal Project is a grassroots movement committed to restoring the Tennessee Republican Party (TNGOP) to its constitutional, America First foundations. We’re fed up with Republicans In Name Only (RINOs) who campaign as conservatives but legislate like career politicians—protecting their own power, appeasing lobbyists, and selling out the grassroots.
Our mission: remove entrenched RINOs like Jack Johnson, Cameron Sexton, Lee Reeves, Randy McNally, and Todd Gardenhire—and replace them with bold constitutional conservatives who will defend liberty, secure elections, and stand with the people—not the political elite.
The RINO Problem in Tennessee: A Timeline of Control and Compromise
Though Republicans hold a supermajority, establishment leaders behind the scenes partner with lobbyists and federal interests to centralize power, silence dissent, and undermine grassroots authority.
- 2020–2021: COVID Overreach Dismantles Liberty
Under Gov. Bill Lee’s watch, small businesses were shuttered as “non-essential,” while corporate chains stayed open. Mask and vaccine mandates—imposed by unelected bureaucracies—trampled civil liberties. Livelihoods were lost, and rights suspended. Establishment Republicans said little—and did even less. - 2023–2024: The Voucher Scheme Rammed Through
Pitched as “school choice,” the Education Freedom Scholarship Act was a Trojan horse for state and federal control. It came loaded with data-sharing mandates and regulatory strings. Though grassroots opposition was strong, leadership pushed the bill through by manipulating committee assignments during a special session. Vouchers are now law—and state control of private education is next. - Mid–Late 2024: Out-of-State PACs Flood Tennessee
Out-of-state PACs like Club for Growth, Americans for Prosperity, and American Federation for Children dumped millions into Tennessee races to protect establishment allies and unseat constitutional conservatives. Sen. Frank Niceley and Rep. Bryan Richey were attacked with false ads. Lee Reeves benefited from nearly $1 million in support—even as he owns a Texas apartment complex housing illegal immigrants. These campaigns aren’t about “school choice”—they’re about central control and data-driven influence. - January 2025: Tennessee Becomes RINO Removal Ground Zero
The national RINO Removal Project launches its Tennessee chapter, naming the state a top priority. Gardenhire, Johnson, and Reeves top the target list. - April 2025: State Party Pushes Back
The TNGOP State Executive Committee enacts new rules to censure Republican lawmakers who betray the party platform. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and others push back—but the grassroots reform wave grows. - June 2025: County GOPs Strike Back
Williamson County formally condemns HB0855 for stripping county parties of nominating rights. Lee Reeves, who sponsored the bill, mocked the GOP County Executive Committees and their members as “party insiders.” - Ongoing: Momentum Is Building
Across the state, grassroots Republicans are organizing, educating, and tracking the voting records of lawmakers who consistently betray party principles. The pressure is rising—and those who thought they could legislate in the shadows are learning the grassroots are wide awake and keeping score.
Why RINOs Are a Problem in Tennessee
RINOs use conservative language to win elections—then vote like moderates to keep their power.
- They Sabotaged the Party’s Fight to End Open Primaries
Despite years of demands from the TNGOP, lawmakers like Jack Johnson and Lee Reeves not only refused to close primaries—they passed HB0855 to force open primaries down to the county level, stripping local GOPs of nominating authority. - They Quietly Undermined Tennessee’s Pro-Life Law
In 2019, Tennessee passed one of the strongest abortion bans in America. But in 2023 and 2024, RINOs like Massey, Rudder, and Briggs introduced IVF-related legislation that quietly redefined abortion exceptions and legalized abortifacient drugs. It mirrored national abortion lobby language—and wasn’t the first time these lawmakers tried to water down pro-life laws. The strategy is deliberate: reintroduce abortion policies under the guise of “reproductive health” and hope the base doesn’t notice. - They Centralize Power and Silence Dissent
HB0855 was not about fairness—it was about control. Leadership reshaped the process to marginalize the grassroots, override local GOPs, and disenfranchise Republican voters with Democrat crossover votes all over Tennessee. - They Push Data-Driven Education Control
Under the guise of “choice,” the voucher bill embeds state oversight into private education through the infusion of public dollars. With mandatory reporting, federal strings, and compliance triggers, the law opens the door to educational surveillance and government-defined curriculum. - They Reward Obedience Over Conviction
In today’s legislature, loyalty to leadership is rewarded. Principled dissent is punished. Todd Gardenhire votes with leadership regardless of district sentiment. Lee Reeves was fast-tracked for power after mocking the State Executive Committee and carrying water for Jack Johnson’s agenda.
The RINO Watchlist: Tennessee’s Top Targets
🔴 Sen. Kerry Roberts (SD23, Election 2026)
Voted for HB0855, vouchers, liability protections for pesticide companies, and agricultural easements that endanger property rights. Roberts votes with leadership—not conservatives.
🔴 Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (SD27, Election 2026)
Architect of HB0855 and backer of abortion-exception legislation HB 990 / SB 1004. Johnson consistently empowers state over party and people.
🔴 Speaker Cameron Sexton (HD 25, Election 2026)
Blocked conservative reforms, empowered insiders, and ran interference for leadership priorities. Sexton is the establishment’s enforcer.
🔴 Rep. Lee Reeves (HD 65, Election 2026)
Sponsored HB0855, ridiculed party leaders, and benefitted from nearly $1M in out-of-state support. A new face serving an old agenda.
🔴 Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (SD 5)
The reliable shield for status quo politics. When conservative momentum builds, McNally slows it down.
🔴 Sen. Todd Gardenhire (SD 10, Election 2028)
Votes against medical freedom, local control, and educational transparency. The grassroots are actively seeking his replacement.
🔴 Sen. Richard Briggs (SD 7, Election 2026)
Helped push IVF legislation that weakened Tennessee’s abortion ban. Voted against grassroots principles on core issues.
🔴 Sen. Iris Rudder (SD 39, Election 2026)
Partnered with Briggs and Massey to redefine abortion law. Repeatedly votes to expand state power under deceptive branding.
This list is far from exhaustive. Unfortunately, the ranks of RINOs in Tennessee run deep. What appears above are just some of the worst offenders—those whose spinelessness, self-interest, and phony conservatism have done the most damage to our state and our party.
