Scott Golden, the chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, told KWAM lawmakers made “good points” in the leaked audio of a GOP caucus meeting following the expulsion vote of the so-called Tennessee Three.
In the audio obtained by The Tennessee Holler, lawmakers share frustrations over members who backtracked and voted to save Rep. Gloria Johnson (D- Knoxville).
“The leaked audio had some really good points by some very passionate lawmaker,” Golden told “Wake Up Memphis” Friday.One state representative could be heard saying, “you hung us out to dry.”
“Dear God, we were called — you brought racism into it because you didn’t stay with us,” Rep. Jason Zachary, (R-Knoxville) said in the audio. “I don’t want to hear why there wasn’t preponderance of the evidence as an attorney — I need to know why you flipped your vote at the last minute.”
Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) and Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) were expelled but were reinstated a few days later.
⚡️NEW LEAKED AUDIO: TN House Republicans infighting over #TennesseeThree votes.
CEPICKY: “You gotta do what’s right even when you think it might be wrong.”?Leadership says Barrett made them look racist, Cepicky says they're at "war", etc. must-listen. pic.twitter.com/mUkzwWXvav
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 13, 2023
The GOP released the following statement on the leaked audio.
“We have no comment about private conversations”
But Golden applauded Republicans, saying, “I think all of our guys especially on the Republican side do a really fantastic job leading this state, letting all voices have an opportunity.”
Golden admitted the future will be difficult for Pearson, Jones and Johnson to reach across the aisle after all the mud-slinging and name-calling.
“Obviously, its going to be something that is looked at when your colleagues accuse you of, you know, kinda some vile things,” Golden said. “You’re thinking ‘If I’m so terrible, why should I go out of my way to craft legislation.”
