As a Nashville resident, this is particularly rich. Sexton is part of the supermajority gang that can’t say enough bad things about this city (as a city). Yet, he is LIVING here! They also can’t stand that the city has its own ideas about all the cultural issues that seem to drive them crazy. As a result the Republicans are now reducing the size of our Metro council, they are taking over our airport, and they are taking control of our sports authority boards. AND, they are outlawing citizen oversight of police, again, imposing their will on this city. Because they can. All of this came to a head when the Metro Council passed on hosting the Republican Convention in 24. My question: if you hate this city so much why live here? If you hate this city so much, why not have your convention in some other Tennessee town like Crossville or Johnson City?? Why do you Republicans, who seem to love rural America more than urban, chose to have your meetings in… cities??
I read where the republican governor & legislators are doing similar things in Mississippi, against their capital city, Jackson. They must meet up ( in cities of course) and all share the same maga- republican playbook. People must vote these aholes out, if there's to be any peace, justice or fairness. The only way to speak plainly, that you don't like what they're doing, is by our vote.
Many of this sort like the benefits of a diverse and urban scene; things like music, food, performance arts and the like. They find other aspects undesirable; people they disagree with or feel are inferior to them are an especially pesky problem. So, they run for seats in less populous "real America" (*eye roll* - every place in America is real), campaign on some platitudes to small town values and win, jockey to get senior legislative positions, and then force changes in the places they prefer to live that aren't locally supported.
Scott, I feel for you and am simultaneously sad and angry that your city's will is being undermined by folks you didn't vote for. Lots of these representatives behave like the Taliban: we're right, you're wrong and you will learn to love what we're forcing on you, even if you're consistently resisting it. Stay strong, fight on, keep voting and may you and yours keep insisting that the people where you live decide on how you live.
I was raised in southern Illinois where the GOP has nothing but disdain for Chicago and they tell endless lies about it. Yet watch them volunteer the moment they can get there for a conference on the state's dime.
Kudos to PI, especially for the mentions and acknowledgement (finally!) at the national media level for breaking this story. Another interesting development I saw was a petition of almost 13K TN Christians to remove Sexton. I imagine news like that in the Bible belt makes waves.
Judd and the PI team keep landing the heavy body blows, this crook has backed up wobbly into the ropes and now the knockout gets more likely. Don't want to be presumptuous but I strongly suspect Judd is going to need to get his TV interview game sharp. Can't be long before networks are calling to spotlight the face of the journalistic ninjas on the verge of ousting a crooked fascist.
Cathy b, thanks for this information. Honestly, my only exposure to Judd and PI's team has been through Substack. I haven't had the opportunity to see him interviewed or referenced in national media before now.
I'm glad to know that recognition of PI's gritty, detailed, factual investigative journalism is consistently being noted and acknowledged at the national level. Maybe it will inspire other outlets to do more of their own.
To me, this “Under the Tennessee Constitution, if Sexton does not live in Crossville, he can not legally represent Crossville” is the whole story & Sexton can’t lie his way out of it.
Is he representing Crossville when he only “visits” on weekends? Nope. His neighbors in both cities can account for his comings & goings so that was a stupid lie to tell. He’ll be busted on that too.
On top of not paying property taxes (Dems need to make an ad about it) at either location, Dems should also blow up the total amount he’s stolen from his constituents and citizens of Tennessee by taking the larger per diem of $313. Put the grand total over his time in their face and in his face and see how they feel about it. ..
The criminality and hypocrisy of "RW'z" like this, know no boundaries. These are the miscreants bent on destroying our country and we cannot let them win!
Imagine the outsized hue and cry if this crook had a "d" after his name.
I know, due to Republican extreme gerrymandering, it will take a few cycles to bring Tennessee Dems back to competitive strength, but for today, thanks to this excellent research and reporting, I am pausing to microwave a bag of butter-flavor.
This is like when Ron Howard's narrator comes in on "Arrested Development" to immediately dispel any notion that the character speaking is being truthful. On the show, it's funny. In real life, Sexton is a heel and I'm sure not laughing.
Judd, as a Tennessee native and a registered Republican I thank you for bringing to light the breaking story and most importantly the continued factual follow-ups.
ANY politician no matter which party they represent should be held accountable for acts of fraud, neglect, theft, corruption and thwarting of Democracy. I know of some very decent Republicans, Liberals and Democrats. On the surface it often appears that the riff-raff from each party is overwhelming present and at the forefront of their parties... but I choose to believe that Americans as a whole are being enlightened as well as called upon to act and hold accountable those elected officials.
Thank you again for helping shed light on a tainted Tennessee legislature.
Now, if we could just do this to DeSantis. Guess that's why he signs bills into law at midnight, doesn't have press conferences, and is now charging for public records. Still gotta' tell you - I know what he did with CDR Maguire and Hurricane Ian at the Del Tura Shelter. The rapes, the spraying people in their cots with fungicides because of mold, detaining kids so they couldn't go to school. the deaths, and I'm not even gonna go into the rest of the ugliness. Let's just say - after reading the article about his time at Gitmo, I now understand how he could back the torture and abuse that went on at Del Tura. And those people are so terrified of being retaliated against that they won't talk to the lawyers down there - and the media won't cover it. So - I will continue to froth at the mouth and fight against his reign of terror in Florida.
I sent Judd a private email a while back. My Grand-Daughter was raped in the shelter. Let's just say - it's been a real problem. This CDR Maguire has all kinds of ties to DeSantis. And it looks like they are now behind HCA Healthcare, along with running all these emergency shelters and the Covid vaccine sites. They basically contract everything out so they have no liability. And I was told there were young women that disappeared out of the shelter. So, let's just say - there's plenty of investigative journalism to go around. There were no phones or cameras allowed in there. They wouldn't let the School Board in to see how many kids weren't in school. I can't think of anything about Del Tura that wasn't probably unethical or borderline illegal. It was basically a homeless prison. When they had to try to go to the main shelter run by FEMA, because they had sexual predators and pedophiles in Del Tura, the other shelter wouldn't accept them - and they all had to turn around and go back to Del Tura. As I said, after reading about what DeSantis allegedly did at Gitmo - he's probably capable of this - and much, much worse.
His youngest child is enrolled in a "private Christian school" - who accepts tuition from a lying, cheating, thief. Assuming the child is in grade school; what a terrible role model they have for a father. And evidently the wife is fine with the cheating of and stealing from the TN taxpayers by spouse. "Family values" indeed...
As a Nashville resident, this is particularly rich. Sexton is part of the supermajority gang that can’t say enough bad things about this city (as a city). Yet, he is LIVING here! They also can’t stand that the city has its own ideas about all the cultural issues that seem to drive them crazy. As a result the Republicans are now reducing the size of our Metro council, they are taking over our airport, and they are taking control of our sports authority boards. AND, they are outlawing citizen oversight of police, again, imposing their will on this city. Because they can. All of this came to a head when the Metro Council passed on hosting the Republican Convention in 24. My question: if you hate this city so much why live here? If you hate this city so much, why not have your convention in some other Tennessee town like Crossville or Johnson City?? Why do you Republicans, who seem to love rural America more than urban, chose to have your meetings in… cities??
I read where the republican governor & legislators are doing similar things in Mississippi, against their capital city, Jackson. They must meet up ( in cities of course) and all share the same maga- republican playbook. People must vote these aholes out, if there's to be any peace, justice or fairness. The only way to speak plainly, that you don't like what they're doing, is by our vote.
Jackson, Miss where all these rethuglicans are now attempting to suppress the will of the people is some new and nefarious manner. To wit:
https://capitalbnews.org/jackson-mississippi-takeover/
Fyi. Judd wrote about this, too
I remember. this is a crime all on it's own.
My answer to your closing question: Hypocrisy.
Many of this sort like the benefits of a diverse and urban scene; things like music, food, performance arts and the like. They find other aspects undesirable; people they disagree with or feel are inferior to them are an especially pesky problem. So, they run for seats in less populous "real America" (*eye roll* - every place in America is real), campaign on some platitudes to small town values and win, jockey to get senior legislative positions, and then force changes in the places they prefer to live that aren't locally supported.
Scott, I feel for you and am simultaneously sad and angry that your city's will is being undermined by folks you didn't vote for. Lots of these representatives behave like the Taliban: we're right, you're wrong and you will learn to love what we're forcing on you, even if you're consistently resisting it. Stay strong, fight on, keep voting and may you and yours keep insisting that the people where you live decide on how you live.
I was raised in southern Illinois where the GOP has nothing but disdain for Chicago and they tell endless lies about it. Yet watch them volunteer the moment they can get there for a conference on the state's dime.
This! is what journalism is supposed to be!
Great work, Judd.
Kudos to PI, especially for the mentions and acknowledgement (finally!) at the national media level for breaking this story. Another interesting development I saw was a petition of almost 13K TN Christians to remove Sexton. I imagine news like that in the Bible belt makes waves.
Judd and the PI team keep landing the heavy body blows, this crook has backed up wobbly into the ropes and now the knockout gets more likely. Don't want to be presumptuous but I strongly suspect Judd is going to need to get his TV interview game sharp. Can't be long before networks are calling to spotlight the face of the journalistic ninjas on the verge of ousting a crooked fascist.
He has been on national TV on several occasions and is credited in the WaPo and I believe NYT.
Cathy b, thanks for this information. Honestly, my only exposure to Judd and PI's team has been through Substack. I haven't had the opportunity to see him interviewed or referenced in national media before now.
I'm glad to know that recognition of PI's gritty, detailed, factual investigative journalism is consistently being noted and acknowledged at the national level. Maybe it will inspire other outlets to do more of their own.
To me, this “Under the Tennessee Constitution, if Sexton does not live in Crossville, he can not legally represent Crossville” is the whole story & Sexton can’t lie his way out of it.
Is he representing Crossville when he only “visits” on weekends? Nope. His neighbors in both cities can account for his comings & goings so that was a stupid lie to tell. He’ll be busted on that too.
On top of not paying property taxes (Dems need to make an ad about it) at either location, Dems should also blow up the total amount he’s stolen from his constituents and citizens of Tennessee by taking the larger per diem of $313. Put the grand total over his time in their face and in his face and see how they feel about it. ..
Great reporting as usual!
The criminality and hypocrisy of "RW'z" like this, know no boundaries. These are the miscreants bent on destroying our country and we cannot let them win!
Imagine the outsized hue and cry if this crook had a "d" after his name.
I know, due to Republican extreme gerrymandering, it will take a few cycles to bring Tennessee Dems back to competitive strength, but for today, thanks to this excellent research and reporting, I am pausing to microwave a bag of butter-flavor.
Most, most grateful.
Schadenfreude?
(Wonder how he feels being in the hot seat?)
Screw his feelings. I, on the other hand love it!!!!
"Virtually nothing Sexton said is true."
This is like when Ron Howard's narrator comes in on "Arrested Development" to immediately dispel any notion that the character speaking is being truthful. On the show, it's funny. In real life, Sexton is a heel and I'm sure not laughing.
A heel and a bounder.
Republicans are greedy liars all of them
Also I do agree there are too many greedy liars in politics
Please be cognizant of all inclusive statements. I am a registered Republican and I am neither a liar or greedy.
Judd, as a Tennessee native and a registered Republican I thank you for bringing to light the breaking story and most importantly the continued factual follow-ups.
ANY politician no matter which party they represent should be held accountable for acts of fraud, neglect, theft, corruption and thwarting of Democracy. I know of some very decent Republicans, Liberals and Democrats. On the surface it often appears that the riff-raff from each party is overwhelming present and at the forefront of their parties... but I choose to believe that Americans as a whole are being enlightened as well as called upon to act and hold accountable those elected officials.
Thank you again for helping shed light on a tainted Tennessee legislature.
One can only hope. I am heartened to read what you have written Gina. Thank you.
Now, if we could just do this to DeSantis. Guess that's why he signs bills into law at midnight, doesn't have press conferences, and is now charging for public records. Still gotta' tell you - I know what he did with CDR Maguire and Hurricane Ian at the Del Tura Shelter. The rapes, the spraying people in their cots with fungicides because of mold, detaining kids so they couldn't go to school. the deaths, and I'm not even gonna go into the rest of the ugliness. Let's just say - after reading the article about his time at Gitmo, I now understand how he could back the torture and abuse that went on at Del Tura. And those people are so terrified of being retaliated against that they won't talk to the lawyers down there - and the media won't cover it. So - I will continue to froth at the mouth and fight against his reign of terror in Florida.
I have not read or heard anything about the Del Tura shelter but would certainly like to. Is this a story for PI?
I sent Judd a private email a while back. My Grand-Daughter was raped in the shelter. Let's just say - it's been a real problem. This CDR Maguire has all kinds of ties to DeSantis. And it looks like they are now behind HCA Healthcare, along with running all these emergency shelters and the Covid vaccine sites. They basically contract everything out so they have no liability. And I was told there were young women that disappeared out of the shelter. So, let's just say - there's plenty of investigative journalism to go around. There were no phones or cameras allowed in there. They wouldn't let the School Board in to see how many kids weren't in school. I can't think of anything about Del Tura that wasn't probably unethical or borderline illegal. It was basically a homeless prison. When they had to try to go to the main shelter run by FEMA, because they had sexual predators and pedophiles in Del Tura, the other shelter wouldn't accept them - and they all had to turn around and go back to Del Tura. As I said, after reading about what DeSantis allegedly did at Gitmo - he's probably capable of this - and much, much worse.
Go Judd GOOOOOOOO
Possible edit in the article. You say “Nashville condo,” when you may mean “Crossville condo. “
It occurs to me that , upon investigation, a much expanded list of potential problems would be seen throughout the political world.
Id like to say Republicans violate these policies repeatedly , but only because they’ve shown themselves to be
blatant liars.
Im sure there are also Democrats who have skirted the rules.
Who knew the Speaker, in the course of a racist tantrum , would also reveal himself to be a liar and a thief?
His youngest child is enrolled in a "private Christian school" - who accepts tuition from a lying, cheating, thief. Assuming the child is in grade school; what a terrible role model they have for a father. And evidently the wife is fine with the cheating of and stealing from the TN taxpayers by spouse. "Family values" indeed...
Judd, thanks for pursuing this story with the avidity of a bulldog. The only way we get rid of bad actors is one by one.