FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WTVF) — Controversial MAGA candidate Gabrielle Hanson, in another escalation of tensions in this city's campaign for mayor, shared social media posts Wednesday from a hate group, accusing her opponent of being "connected to Antifa" and warning "there is no political solution."
It comes two days after a contingent from the hate group, the Tennessee Active Club, showed up at a mayoral forum to demonstrate their support for the Franklin alderman, who has made fighting LGBTQ Pride events a central part of her campaign for mayor. Members of the Active Club also said they were there to provide security for Hanson.
Hanson's Facebook story shared a Telegram post from the Tennessee Active Club claiming that incumbent Mayor Ken Moore "has been connected to Antifa."
"Remember, there is no political solution," the post continues.
A separate Active Club post, shared by Hanson, warns: "You don't want us showing up, get rid of the antifa in your city."
Separately, Hanson posted a statement, referencing her business relationship with one of the key Active Club players, Brad Lewis, who owns Lewis Country Store on the far west side of Nashville. Her complete statement reads:
"I want to make something very clear. I did not hire the group that showed up at the debate the other night, nor did I ask them to participate as security for the event. I want to be unequivocal on this matter.
"Furthermore, I want to state categorically that I am not, nor have I ever been associated with any white supremacy or Nazi-affiliated group.
"I am the listing broker on Brad's store, and my interactions with him have been nothing but professional and courteous, from both sides. This attempt to connect imaginary dots by Phil Williams is nothing more than a baseless hit piece meant to distract from the real issues at hand."
Republican Rep. Sam Whitson, a Franklin Republican and retired Army officer, released the following statement:
"Threats of intimidation have absolutely no place in our politics—not in Franklin, not in Tennessee, and not in America. No candidate, including Mrs. Hanson, should ever resort to summoning the support of neo-Nazis or any cadre of violent anti-American extremists in order to settle a political contest of any sort.
"Further, any local political group who would excuse or sanction this kind of conduct, including those that continue to endorse Mrs. Hanson’s candidacy, share in her culpability. The Franklin I’ve known and loved flatly rejects them.
"As a newly commissioned Army officer, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. The winners of our Franklin city elections will be asked to take a similar oath upon entering office. Anyone who would rely upon violent domestic enemies of our constitutional government or serial dishonesty in a quest to win an election at any cost cannot be trusted to honor this oath.
"Our community is better than the political discourse we’ve come to tolerate as of late. I hope those who would seek to lead us at home would inspire our best aspirations rather than our worst examples."
Related: White supremacist group delivers show of force for Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson
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