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Note from The Tennessee Conservative: Editorial statements in this column are the sole opinion of the author; they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff of this publication.
Submitted by Don Beehler –
Many of the 2026 elections in Tennessee are expected to be highly competitive, especially where grassroots candidates are pitted against establishment players. And that may mean a host of deceptive political tricks.
Counties across the state should be on the lookout for what Williamson County is already experiencing –- an organized and well-funded effort to smear the character and good performance of conservative grassroots candidates.
The stakes are particularly high in Williamson County because for the first time in nearly a quarter century, we will soon have a new mayor. Early primary voting begins April 15, and a recent anonymous push poll reveals just how worried certain local elites and hired political guns are when it comes to Williamson County Commissioner Mary Smith’s candidacy.
The allegations and insinuations against Ms. Smith, a conservative Republican with strong grassroots support, are disguised as push-poll questions. They reflect the sophistication of a panicked middle school student starting work on a year-long class project the night before it’s due.
For those unfamiliar, a push poll is a survey that appears to be seeking input from citizens about election issues. In reality, it is designed to influence voters’ opinions under the guise of gathering information about public opinion.
Typically a push poll uses leading or biased questions to promote falsehoods about an opponent. The people responsible for such polls are deceptive and don’t really care what the respondents think, nor are they interested in data they obtain — spreading falsehoods is their objective.
Of all the disinformation this push poll foisted upon voters, the one piece drawing the most ire is the allegation that Commissioner Smith voted against pay increases and new equipment for sheriff’s deputies, leaving first responders underpaid and citizens’ safety at risk.
“Recently you may have heard that Mary doesn’t support law enforcement, and I’m here to tell you that’s fake news,” Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Hughes told her supporters at the Feb. 27 Mary Smith for County Mayor rally.
He then described all she has done as a county commissioner to assist Williamson County’s deputies and other first responders.
Sheriff Hughes pointed out that she and fellow County Commissioner Drew Torres (also present at the rally) were “instrumental in trying to improve the salaries of all Williamson County deputies…they have always stood by law enforcement.”
The sheriff should know. Oh, and former Sheriff Ricky Headley is Ms. Smith’s campaign manager. Yet we are supposed to believe she does not back law enforcement? Please. They must think Williamson County voters are stupid. Really stupid.
Ms. Smith issued a statement in response to the push poll:
“Recent communications about me have contained deceptive claims and outright lies about my record particularly regarding support of our sheriff’s deputies and public safety funding. Those claims are false, slanderous and misleading. I have supported competitive pay for our deputies and first responders because keeping Williamson County safe is not optional. I have supported Parks and Recreation, infrastructure, and essential services because strong communities require balance. And I have consistently pursued cost savings, efficiencies, and responsible debt management to protect taxpayers. Supporting public safety while demanding fiscal discipline is not a contradiction, it is stewardship.”
Here is what’s really going on: The local Republican establishment (including some RINOs) fears Mary Smith’s integrity, competence, business expertise and ability to connect with voters. They marvel that she actually lives out her Christian faith and that it guides every aspect of her life. They recoil over her respect for constituents; the way she thoughtfully engages with them and listens to their concerns; and then uses this input to create actionable solutions.
Perhaps most of all, they are alarmed knowing she will bring discipline, accountability and transparency to county government.
What this “poll” really reveals is the panic engulfing Williamson County’s Good Old Boys Network and the depths to which its members will sink to protect their turf.
Andy Marshall, the other candidate for country mayor, has been outspoken about his Christian faith. I appreciate that about him and share his faith. Yet part of being a follower of Jesus is to not bear false witness against others.
I don’t know if Mr. Marshall had anything to do with this poll, but it sure looks bad. He should publicly repudiate it, along with the scurrilous attacks and lies against Ms. Smith. If he knew about it in advance, he needs to publicly apologize and discourage such attacks on Ms. Smith as well as other candidates for public office.
These lies will backfire because Williamson County voters are too smart to buy them. We are tired of endless assaults and smears perpetrated by power-hungry candidates who are ethically challenged and have no positive message.
Such candidates are content to continue the Williamson County establishment’s long-standing tradition of supporting virtually uncontrolled growth, reckless spending that has put our county in more than $1.2 billion of debt and looking down with contempt on constituents who ask questions or voice concerns.
Sheriff Hughes concluded his remarks correcting the push-poll lies by saying, “I would ask you to ignore all this monkey chatter you hear on social media and focus on the real facts.”
Apparently it never occurred to the primates initiating this monkey chatter that the sheriff himself would publicly correct their fake news with real facts and highlight all Ms. Smith has done to support his department.
As Ms. Smith noted in her statement, “Disagreement is part of democracy. Honest debate is healthy. But deception and lies are not . . . We deserve and should demand better from those wanting to serve.”
Voters indeed deserve better, not just in Williamson County but throughout Tennessee. It’s time to reject negative campaigning based on lies and deception. Ms. Smith is ready to have an honest, factual discussion about the issues everyday people actually care about and the kind of future we want to pursue for our county. How about you, Mr. Marshall?
Don Beehler is a retired public relations consultant in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information visit www.donbeehler.com.
