NASHVILLE — Beleaguered state House Democrats got a major financial boost this morning as Nashville businessman Bill Freeman contributed $100,000 to their caucus’ campaign warchest for 2016 elections.
“It’s never good when one party controls everything. It’s time for Democrats to step up and have a real two-party system in our state,” said Freeman who noted Tennessee Republicans control the state House, state Senate, occupy the governor’s mansion, hold seven of nine congressional seats and both U.S. Senate seats.
“I’m pitching in because we just can’t afford to let our state get off in the ditch while Republicans do little but pander to their extreme fringe,” Freeman charged.
Tuesday morning’s announcement and fundraiser come with the Tennessee General Assembly scheduled to reconvene at noon (CST) for their annual legislative session.
The hours leading up to session are often accompanied by a last-minute frenzy of political fundraising because state ethics laws enacted in the mid-1990s prohibit their raising money during the actual session.