Conservative PAC Williamson Families announces endorsements for upcoming county elections

Anika Exum, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
Williamson County District 8 board of education candidate Donna Clements (R) was endorsed by local conservative PAC Williamson Families. Clements spoke to audiences at the PAC's kickoff event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Franklin, Tenn.
Williamson County District 8 board of education candidate Donna Clements (R) was endorsed by local conservative PAC Williamson Families. Clements spoke to audiences at the PAC's kickoff event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, in Franklin, Tenn.

Conservative political action committee Williamson Families kicked off the local election season with an event attended by hundreds at The Factory in Franklin Tuesday.

The PAC presented their 19 County Commission and Board of Education candidate endorsements. Along with 15 Republicans, the group endorsed four independents. Three of their picks are incumbents.

Williamson Families was launched last year by the local chapter of Moms for Liberty. Headed by MFL chair Robin Steenman, the PAC endorsed candidates who have largely advocated for more parent choice, and against mask mandates, the elementary English language curriculum "Wit & Wisdom," and diversity and inclusion initiatives.

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"We are doing everything we can to take citizen leaders and equip them with every piece of information and tool that they can put in their toolkit to run the race and win for Williamson County," Steenman said at the kickoff. "We are there to support (candidates) while they're running and once they're elected."

Williamson Families, a conservative PAC based in Williamson County, held its county election kickoff event presenting its candidate endorsements at The Factory on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in Franklin, Tenn.
Williamson Families, a conservative PAC based in Williamson County, held its county election kickoff event presenting its candidate endorsements at The Factory on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in Franklin, Tenn.

Local political parties opted for partisan elections last year under a new state law. Twenty candidates qualified to run for Williamson County Schools' Board of Education, while four qualified for Franklin Special School District's board, three of which are incumbents.

"Williamson County is built upon the rock of Judeo-Christian values that are the foundation of our country," Williamson Families' website reads. "We welcome all that share our concerns and conservative values."

According to Williamson Families, a committee spent over 1,500 hours vetting the endorsed candidates.

"The 2022 elections are crucial to the course correction of our county and beliefs or families," Steenman said Tuesday.

Hundreds attended a county election kickoff event hosted by Williamson Families at The Factory on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in Franklin, Tenn. The PAC, created in 2021, used the event to present its endorsements for the upcoming local election cycle.
Hundreds attended a county election kickoff event hosted by Williamson Families at The Factory on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in Franklin, Tenn. The PAC, created in 2021, used the event to present its endorsements for the upcoming local election cycle.

Here's who Williamson Families recommends for county offices:

Board of Education

District 2: Dan Cash (R - incumbent)

District 4: Elliott Franklin (R)

District 6: Debbie Pace (I)

District 8: Donna Clements (R)

District 10: William "Doc" Hollaway (I)

District 12: Jamie Lima (R)

County Commission

District 1 - Lisa Lenox (R)

District 2 Andrew Moriarty (R)

District 3: Jeff Graves (R)

District 3: Daniel Jordan (I)

District 4: Pete Stresser (R)

District 4: Gregg Lawrence (R - Incumbent)

District 5: Mary Smith (R)

District 5: Evan Bledsoe (I)

District 7: Christopher Richards (R)

District 8: Drew Torres (R)

District 8: Barb Sturgeon (R - Incumbent)

District 10: Brad Diaz (R)

District 11: Wayne Garrett (R)

Local PAC Williamson Families endorsed nineteen candidates for the upcoming county election cycle. Several made one-minute statements at the PAC's election kickoff event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn.
Local PAC Williamson Families endorsed nineteen candidates for the upcoming county election cycle. Several made one-minute statements at the PAC's election kickoff event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn.

Williamson Strong, another local PAC, announced plans to release its candidate endorsements following Williamson County Schools' spring break occurring March 14-18.

Anika Exum is a reporter covering Williamson County for The Tennessean. Reach her at aexum@tennessean.com, on Twitter @aniexum or at 615-347-7313.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Williamson Families' endorsements for school board & county commission