Former Tennessee legislator Jim Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat, left, and Ryan Mackay, Tennessee Democratic Party deputy field director, question whether Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, is following state law for campaign websites and literature.
Former Tennessee legislator Jim Hackworth this week accused his campaign opponent, Rep. John Ragan, of violating state ethics and finance laws, but Ragan said Hackworth was engaging in “desperate attacks.”
On Monday, Hackworth said Ragan’s campaign website violated state ethics and finance laws because it included his official office phone number and state e-mail address. By Tuesday morning, Ragan had removed that contact information, although he said including it was not illegal and he had removed it as a courtesy to Hackworth, a constituent.
That didn’t seem to satisfy Hackworth.
“The fact remains that Mr. Ragan violated these laws when he listed his Nashville office and staff as a resource in his campaign,” Hackworth said in an e-mailed statement. “I commend him for removing that resource from his website. However, the fact still remains he broke the law.”
Ragan disagreed. He said Tennessee state law protects taxpayers from funding campaign efforts.
“The law is there to protect taxpayers from funding political activities, not the other way around,” Ragan said. “While nothing inappropriate was done, we changed my website to end any confusion.”
John Ragan
During a telephone interview Tuesday, Ragan said he pays for his campaign website himself, and his assistant in Nashville had been instructed to tell people who call the office number from the campaign website that the state office is for constituent issues, not campaign issues.
In a meeting with reporters at his campaign headquarters Monday, Hackworth also levied other charges against Ragan, saying his campaign literature had violated state law because it does not list a treasurer and challenging Ragan’s record on a series of issues from anti-bullying legislation to education.
Ragan said he is unaware of a requirement to list a treasurer on all campaign materials. However, he said all those publication disclose that they are paid for by the Committee to Elect John Ragan.
He and campaign aide Holt Whitt said one document that Hackworth and Ryan Mackay, Tennessee Democratic Party deputy field director, characterized, at least in part, as improperly labeled campaign literature was actually a state-approved newsletter.
Whitt said Hackworth sent out similar newsletters when he was in office.
“That’s just them grasping at straws,” Whitt said. “It is completely nonpartisan.”
Ragan, a first-term legislator, is an Oak Ridge Republican who defeated Hackworth, a Clinton Democrat and four-term representative, in the November 2010 election.
The two face off in the Nov. 6 election this year for the Tennessee House of Representatives district that includes Anderson County south and west of Interstate 75. Early voting begins July 13.
T J says
Classic ward politician, Hackworth, uses any frivilious tactic to smear his opponent. Same tactic his mentor Obama used to disqualify his Chicago politica opponent
MW224 says
Ok, since Jim Hackworth has an issue with websites, let’s compare them. I went to John Ragan’s website and there are lengthy lists of his values, background, and what I like the most is the list of bills he sponsored or co-sponsored. I counted them today and found 122 items. So, I can see the activity that John Ragan has completed so I decided that I would go to Jim Hackworth’s website and compare his views since Ragan so clearly shows his opinion. I go to the top of the page, click the “Issues” link and here is what the website says: Coming Soon…
Unfortunately, since Jim has held the office and still has yet to make up his mind on where he stands on the issues, my vote will not be Coming Soon for him…..
Don’t believe me, check out their sites.
Mare Martell says
Jim Hackworth has since updated the ISSUES portion of his website, but it doesn’t say anything I couldn’t figure out from his ABOUT page. I noticed the same thing you did. Ragan may not be my choice, but at least he states what he believes, no matter how misguided it it in my opinion.
MW224 says
I agree Mare. So I did give Jim the opportunity to update his issues, and he did. But there is an unfortunate truth that to me is telling of character. I reviewed John Ragan’s site and found a lot of information about him, his choices, decisions, bills he voted for and other good general information. I see my comments at least got some action because Sunday Jim had his webmaster update the issues page on his site. So I thought I could compare apples to apples. But no, the page is a short synopsis of the issues Jim wanted to comment on and what is of very poor taste is that OVER HALF of the page is actually “contrasting” or should I say stating how wrong John Ragan’s view of the issues are. I mean seriously Jim, tell us about you on your site, don’t use over half of your page cutting down Ragan if you want me to take you seriously. And I am not exaggerating. 315 words (minus section titles) giving his views, 392 words cutting down Ragan’s views (thanks to my friend MS word’s count feature!). And John Ragan’s site is in total contrast explaining his views and votes. Jim, I asked you to post your views…not try and shoot down your opponent. The voters of Anderson County want someone who thinks for themselves, not someone who focuses on attacking the views of other. And the saddest point is that you talk time after time about bullying….but aren’t you doing just that with the style of your own campaign site? My mind is now made up, Ragan did not win my vote, but Jim you lost it.
Jim Hackworth says
Honestly pointing out a persons voting record and positions on jobs, schools, and safety is never wrong.
MW224 says
No your approach perfectly shows your character. For us independent voters who choose to vote for a Republican or Democrat, we prefer to focus on the issues, and honestly I think that keeping a campaign based on what YOU believe in, not trying to prove your opponent is wrong is what is needed in American and local politics as well. I am sorry you took the low road on this one. Tell me where Ragan took the same approach on you. If you can direct me to it, I will admonish that approach as well. Seriously Jim, you beat the bandwagon on bullying, but the cheap way to come out to the media about the use of Ragan’s e-mail and then shooting down (with your own words an opinion) seem like bully moves to me. It’s a shame. Pointing out someone is taking a less than honorable approach is never wrong either.
amberg says
At one time Jim Hackworth Had eight years of information that listed hundreds of bills and his accomplishments on his website. However, he removed them recently to replace it with a new website specific to the election of 2012. I am sure if you ask for some of the old information it is readily available. It will trump Ragan’s record. as Jim served eight good years of service versus Ragan’s failed two years.
MW224 says
So if he has not changed his stance, why would he not simply state the issues that he stands for, or has his stance changed? If his record trumped Ragan’s record so much, why did he lose the last heads up race against him and will not clearly state his record, but rather resorts to childhood schoolyard games of , hey you cannot use that e-mail address and I’m telling on you. Cheap publicity in my opinion. And again, eight good years of service and losing a heads up race last time, no momentum for the initial county mayor run, and as TJ says, let him post his voting record again…is he ashamed of it?
T J says
Let him post his voting record again.
Jim Hackworth says
By the way TJ, regarding the bill I co-sponsored at the floor level to help slow down the flow of stolen metal, you know the one your industry blessed at the time. I have met with many of your colleaques and agreed to help them get some changes made to the law to eliminate the handling burdens on your industry. They asked me how I stood on the issue since Ragan failed to help them over the past two years. Many are unhappy that he chose to ignore his commitment to help even after being reminded of the commitment. By the way, after listening to them I clearly understand what a burden it has placed on the industry and that some minor tweaks could help a lot.
T J says
Who had the hold time decreased to 20 days from 30 days?
Jim Hackworth says
Joe Carr
HOUSE BILL 3371
By Carr
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38,
Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to scrap jewelry and
metal dealers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 38-1-202(a), is amended by deleting
the language “thirty (30)” and substituting instead the language “twenty (20)”.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 38-1-205(b)(1), is amended by
deleting the language “thirty (30)” and substituting instead the language “twenty (20)”.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring
it.
Jim Hackworth says
Here is the Public Chapter by Joe Carr not John Ragan
PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 675
SENATE BILL NO. 2825
By Ketron
Substituted for: House Bill No. 3371
By Carr
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 1, Part 2, relative to scrap jewelry
and metal dealers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 38-1-202(a), is amended by deleting the
language “thirty (30)” and substituting instead the language “twenty (20)”.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 38-1-205(b)(1), is amended by deleting
the language “thirty (30)” and substituting instead the language “twenty (20)”.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring ite Public Chapeter, By Joe Carr not John
T J says
I knew it wasn’t Rragan. I wondered who it was.
The problem will never be solved until burgulars are whipped in Jackson Square on Saturday mornings
Jim Hackworth says
Glad I could help!