Senate GOP challenger Bobby Harshbarger lists former TSU President Glenda Glover as one of his largest contributors

Dr. Glenda Glover and Bobby Harshbarger (Photos by Tennessee State University/Bobby Harshbarger campaign)

Senate district 4 challenger Bobby Harshbarger prominently lists supporting “anti-woke education” as one of his campaign priorities. He’s also been outspoken about his opposition to allowing pride flags in Tennessee classrooms and providing undocumented immigrants with in-state tuition.

Dr. Glenda Glover (right) with Vice-President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff at an event at the White House (Photo by Glenda Glover)

With conservative social issues so vividly in the forefront of the East Tennessee Republican’s campaign, it’s perhaps a bit surprising the fifth largest campaign donation he received this quarter came from the recently retired president of one of the country’s largest historically black colleges and universities (HBCU).

Former Tennessee State University (TSU) President Dr. Glenda Glover donated $1,729.08 to Harshbarger’s campaign according to state records. Glover’s other contributions this quarter are all to progressive Democrats and her social media page displays pictures with both President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamal Harris.

Harshbarger has sided with Democrats on universal school choice but he’s otherwise run a conservative campaign and is a supporter of former President Donald Trump.Efforts to reach Glover for questions why she provided a donation to Harshbarger’s campaign and whether it might relate to the General Assembly’s decision to vacate TSU’s board of trustees earlier this year were unsuccessful.  Harshbarger’s opponent in the Senate district 4 GOP primary, Senator Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, chairs the Senate Education Committee that voted on the legislation.

Glover’s contribution is one of a multitude candidates are disclosing this week ahead of the August primary. Those disclosures also provide important details about contested races across the state.

Harshbarger’s contest with Senator Lundberg is one of the most watched Senate races though the incumbent has a sizable advantage this quarter in fundraising.  State records show Lundberg took in $252,995 in contributions compared to Harshbarger’s $18,678.

Senate district 8 has also received attention with challenger Chris Spencer’s connections to a Sumner County political group that supported turning away federal flood money. His opponent, three-term incumbent and Senator Education Committee member Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, raised $215,984 this quarter compared to Spencer’s $24,932 contribution total.

Challengers outraise incumbents

Not all challengers raised less than their incumbent opponents though.In Maury County’s House District 64, County Commissioner Ray Jeter outraised incumbent Representative Scott Cepicky, R-Culleoka. Jeter took in  $40,401 compared to Cepicky’s $36,623 total.East Tennessee’s House district 33 also saw the challenger outraise the incumbent this quarter.

Lawman Rick Scarbrough raised $51,490 to Representative John Ragan’s, R-Oak Ridge, total of  $33,486. Ragan received attention this campaign for being among the leaders in the House for taxpayer funded mailers.

Open seats up for grabs

Governor Lee attracted attention earlier this year when he made endorsements in three open House seats.

That endorsement has led to a fundraising lead for Air Force Captain Jason Emert in East Tennessee’s House district 20 Republican primary. Emert raised $23,090 this quarter.  His opponents Commissioner Tom Stinnett raised $10,640 and Commissioner Nick Bright raised $7,100.

In Williamson County’s open House district 65 GOP primary, Commissioner Brian Beathard led this quarter’s fundraising with $58,725. His opponent, attorney Lee Reeves, is close behind with $49,510 raised, followed by former state GOP party leader Michelle Foreman with $15,046.

Clarksville’s open House district 68 has four candidates running in the Republican primary. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Smith has the fundraising lead this quarter with $40,655. Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board member Aron Maberry followed with $7,465 raised.  Former Montgomery County Republican Party co-chair Carol Duffin raised $1910 this quarter and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Reserves Director Greg Gilman listed no contributions.