Franklin elections: Hanson says Tennessee Active Club not hired; board decries 'neo-Nazis'
Controversial Franklin mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson posted on social media Wednesday that she did not hire members of the Tennessee Active Club, an organization identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center as a white nationalist hate group, for security during Monday's candidate forum.
Hanson's comments were followed by a response from Franklin's Board of Mayor and Aldermen, which released its own public statement via email within hours of her post.
"We, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, are deeply concerned and disturbed by the events that unfolded at Monday night’s candidate forum for the upcoming city election," the board's statement reads. "Individuals identifying as neo-Nazi’s and self-admitted supporters of Gabrielle Hanson threatened both our citizens and members of the media during and after this important civic event."
The board's statement said it wouldn't "tolerate any form of hatred, intimidation, or violence directed at our residents, media representatives, or anyone else attending or participating in the democratic process," and it urged all candidates currently seeking office in Franklin, including Hanson, to "join us in denouncing the actions and organizations as well."
The statement ended with the names of the current Franklin board, including Hanson's opponent in the mayoral race, incumbent Ken Moore. She wasn't listed.
More: Why Franklin aldermen didn't act to censure mayoral candidate Gabrielle Hanson
In her post, Hanson said she wanted to set the record straight about what happened Monday.
"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," Hanson said in the statement posted to her Instagram story Wednesday afternoon.
"Furthermore, I want to state categorically that I am not, nor have I ever been associated with any white supremacy or Nazi-affiliated group."
Hanson explained that she's working as the "broker on Brad's (Lewis Country) store," and categorized her interactions with him as nothing but professional and courteous. Lewis Country Store came under fire earlier this summer after it was revealed that members of the Tennessee Active Club were using the gym above the store.
Media coverage focusing on the Tennessee Active Club's presence at the forum is "nothing more than a baseless hit piece meant to distract from the real issues at hand," Hanson wrote.
Tennessee Active Club also released statements about what happened Monday, noting that it was "absurd Gabrielle Hanson hired us. We do this for free at our own expense."
The group did not say whether Hanson asked them for help.
What's at stake: Franklin battles for its soul in mayor race pitting Gabrielle Hanson against Ken Moore
The Franklin mayoral race has become increasingly controversial in recent months, largely due to Hanson's comments and views, which have included unfounded theories about the motive behind Nashville's Covenant School shooting, multiple ethics complaints filed against her by residents in response to an email she sent to Nashville International Airport criticizing a Juneteenth donation and her admission to being arrested on a promoting prostitution charge out of Dallas in the 1990s.
Early voting began Wednesday and runs through Oct. 19. Election day is Oct. 24.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What did Franklin board, Hanson say about the Tennessee Active Club?
