Image Credit: Tennessee Stands / Facebook & Canva
Press Release –
Sullivan County, Tenn. — Tennessee Stands has formally filed an ethics complaint regarding a series of political communications distributed to residents of Sullivan County that appear to unlawfully use the organization’s name and identity.
The complaint outlines four separate communications—two mailers and two mass text messages—distributed on April 15 and April 21, 2026, which Tennessee Stands asserts were not authorized by the organization and may violate multiple provisions of Tennessee law.
Summary of Communications
- Mailer 1 (April 15, 2026):
A political mailer attacking mayoral candidate Zane Vanover stating “PAID FOR BY TENNESSEE STAND PAC.”- Return address: 4546 Chapman Highway, Num 3085, Knoxville, TN 37920
- Postage indicia: CORE INSIGHT
- Text Message 1 (April 15, 2026):
A mass text message sent from (423) 720-1831 containing an image stating:
“Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger proudly endorses Angie Stanley”
The disclaimer reads: “PAID FOR BY TENNESSEE STANDS PAC. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE COMMITTEE.” - Mailer 2 (April 21, 2026):
A second mailer targeting Zane Vanover with the same return address and postage indicia, stating:
“PAID FOR BY TENNESSEE STAND PAC. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE’S COMMITTEE.” - Text Message 2 (April 21, 2026):
A second mass text message sent from (423) 665-9815 containing negative messaging toward Zane Vanover and stating:
“PAID FOR BY TENNESSEE STAND PAC. NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR CANDIDATE COMMITTEE.”
Tennessee Stands confirms that it did not create, authorize, or fund any of these communications and does not operate a political action committee under the name “Tennessee Stands PAC” or any similar variation.
“As Executive Director, I can state unequivocally that Tennessee Stands had no involvement in these communications,” said Anne Lowery. “The use of our name in this context is unauthorized and appears designed to mislead voters.”
Concerns Raised in Complaint
The complaint further notes that:
- At least one communication used the exact name “Tennessee Stands PAC,” an entity for which Tennessee Stands has found no record of registration in state or federal databases at the time the communications were distributed.
- Other communications reference “Tennessee Stand PAC,” a similarly named entity that Tennessee Stands alleges is being used in a manner likely to create confusion with its organization.
- Available information suggests that any PAC registration associated with this name may have occurred after the communications were already paid for, printed, and distributed.
Public filings identify a PAC using a similar name with Samantha Sammons listed as treasurer, (856) 766-8008, samantha@tcounselgroup.com, with an address at 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004, and Federal Election Commission ID C00946574.
Potential Legal Implications
The complaint asserts that the conduct described may violate multiple provisions of Tennessee law, including:
- Tennessee Code § 2-19-120 — requiring proper identification of the entity paying for political communications
- Tennessee Code § 2-19-116 — prohibiting misleading attribution of endorsements
- Tennessee Code § 39-16-301 — prohibiting impersonation of an organization or representative
“These actions raise serious concerns about deceptive campaign practices and potential impersonation,” Anne Lowery added. “We believe voters in Sullivan County may have been intentionally targeted and misled, a tactic used by those who seek to corrupt the election integrity in our state.”
Request for Investigation
Tennessee Stands has submitted its complaint to the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance and is calling for a full investigation, including coordination with the Sullivan County District Attorney.
“Tennessee Stands looks forward to working with state and local authorities to ensure accountability and to protect voters from deceptive and potentially unlawful election activity,” said Anne Lowery.
