Tennessee GOP Rule Excludes Many Conservative Candidates

New bylaw requires voting in 3 of 4 recent Republican primaries to qualify as a 'bona fide' Republican candidate

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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In Tennessee, the Republican Party has implemented a new bylaw that requires candidates to have voted in at least 3 of the 4 most recent statewide Republican primary elections in order to be considered a 'bona fide' Republican and run on the GOP ticket. This rule has disqualified dozens of conservative candidates, including some incumbents, across East Tennessee who do not meet the primary voting criteria, despite having long voting records as Republicans. The state party says the rule is meant to prioritize voting participation, but some candidates and local party officials argue the process for granting waivers is unclear and inconsistent.

Why it matters

This rule change by the Tennessee Republican Party has significant implications for the upcoming elections, as it excludes many conservative candidates from running as Republicans, potentially splitting the vote and hurting the party's chances in the general election. It also raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the party's candidate qualification process.

The details

According to the Tennessee Republican Party's bylaws, a 'bona fide' Republican is defined as someone who is actively involved in the party, is registered to vote in the county they're running in, and has voted in at least 3 of the 4 most recent statewide Republican primary elections. Candidates who do not meet this criteria are ineligible to run as Republicans, even if they consider themselves lifelong conservatives. The party says this rule has been in place for nearly a decade, but the appeals process was changed in December, making it more difficult for candidates to receive waivers. State party officials have indicated that they are unlikely to grant many waivers, leaving dozens of would-be Republican candidates, including some incumbents, out in the cold.

  • The Tennessee Republican Party's new bylaw on 'bona fide' Republican candidates has been in place for nearly a decade.
  • The appeals process for the bylaw was changed in December 2025, making it more difficult for candidates to receive waivers.
  • The deadline for candidates to receive a waiver and qualify for the May 2026 primary election is noon on Thursday, February 20, 2026.

The players

Jason Walden

A self-described lifelong Republican who has voted straight Republican tickets since 2004, but is ineligible to run as a Republican in the upcoming county commission race due to the party's new bylaw.

Scott Golden

The chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, who says the party places a high priority on voting participation and that he expects few waivers to be granted under the new rules.

Todd Fowler

A member of the Tennessee Republican Party's State Executive Committee for District 3, which includes Washington, Carter, and Johnson counties. Fowler says he would only vote for a waiver if there were no other Republican candidates on the ballot.

Anita Hodges-Taylor

The other member of the Tennessee Republican Party's State Executive Committee for District 3, who says she feels sure there are several people who are worthy of a waiver to be able to run as a Republican.

Matthew Johnson

A member of the Tennessee Republican Party's State Executive Committee for District 4, which includes Sullivan and Hawkins counties. Johnson says the fairest way is to not issue any waivers and stick to the bylaws.

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What they’re saying

“It was frustrating knowing that I voted Republican since 2004. Supported nothing but Republican candidates ever since. So it's very frustrating, the party I've supported for many years, and I'm not able to run as one.”

— Jason Walden (WJHL)

“It's a good process. And I hope that ultimately what comes out of it, as people understand that the Republican Party places a priority on voting. You get everything you want in the Republican Party if you show up and vote, that's the qualification.”

— Scott Golden, Tennessee Republican Party Chairman (WJHL)

“I feel sure that there are several people who are worthy of a waiver, which would help them to be able to run as a Republican.”

— Anita Hodges-Taylor, Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee Member, District 3 (WJHL)

“So my stance is basically the fairest way I could be, is to go by the bylaws, black and white. And that's the formula of the three or four last primaries and are you active? No waivers, just sticking to black and white bylaws.”

— Matthew Johnson, Tennessee Republican Party State Executive Committee Member, District 4 (WJHL)

What’s next

The deadline for candidates to receive a waiver and qualify for the May 2026 primary election is noon on Thursday, February 20, 2026. After that, some candidates who do not receive waivers say they will run as independents, which could split the conservative vote in the general election. The Tennessee Republican Party may also need to review the rule change after the August 2026 elections.

The takeaway

The Tennessee Republican Party's new bylaw requiring candidates to have voted in 3 of the 4 most recent GOP primaries to be considered 'bona fide' Republicans has excluded dozens of conservative candidates, including some incumbents, from running as Republicans. This raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the party's candidate qualification process, as well as the potential for split conservative votes in the general election. The rule change highlights the tension between prioritizing party loyalty and allowing a diversity of conservative voices to compete.