Dayton, Tenn., political staple June Griffin, who is running for governor of Tennessee as an independent, said Thursday she's fed up with Democrats, Republicans and the electoral money machine.
"We must have a governor who not only is bound to both constitutions but will use force, if necessary, to withstand the tyrannies which are exercising themselves from Washington," Mrs. Griffin said in a statement.
"We must have a governor who will stand behind the sheriffs to keep us from said tyrannies and who dare not compromise the liberties which our veterans fought for," she said.
Mrs. Griffin, a longtime Rhea County political activist, has been interviewed on "The Daily Show," fought to retrieve a replica Bill of Rights from North Carolina and was charged in 2006 with a hate crime for reportedly taking a Mexican flag from a Rhea County store. Those charges were later dropped.
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE* Name: June Griffin* Age: 70* Hometown: Dayton, Tenn.* Party: Independent* Occupation: Assistant at a dental lab, political volunteer
Hamilton County Commissioner Curtis Adams said he's had a few run-ins with Mrs. Griffin in the past, including a lawsuit for $600 she filed over something he said.
Mr. Adams downplayed Mrs. Griffin's chances in the race, but said her character would "put a little interest in it."
Mrs. Griffin said her current run for governor has two main goals: "To give the people a real alternative, and to exercise the great citizenship privileges which God gave us so that I may give a full and good account in the day of judgment."
Her campaign did not have a financial report on file with the state of Tennessee.