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Friday, November 13, 2026Nov 13

Starrett raises new claims against DesJarlais (but it’s not on what you may be thinking)

Grant Starrett and Scott DesJarlais are pictured in this composite photo.
Grant Starrett and Scott DesJarlais are pictured in this composite photo. Grant Starrett and Scott DesJarlais are pictured in this composite photo.
photo Grant Starrett and Scott DesJarlais are pictured in this composite photo.

NASHVILLE — Republican U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., has been called many things since he first emerged in 2010 on Tennessee’s political scene, but never “kind of liberal.”

Until now.

Grant Starrett announced a primary challenge in April and is taking on the 4th District incumbent from the right.

“People are shocked to learn more about his record,” Starrett said last week in an interview. “I think that Scott has not been a consistent conservative. He has been a conservative when it’s convenient.”

Starrett, 27, who describes himself as a “Christian and Constitutional conservative,” recently charged in a campaign Facebook post that DesJarlais was “rated the 2nd most liberal Tennessee Republican serving in the House today.”