Far-Right Mayoral Candidate Fails to Win Tennessee Election Amidst White Supremacist Controversy

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In a decisive electoral outcome in a Tennessee municipality, a far-right candidate for mayor, Gabrielle Hanson, was soundly defeated after her refusal to distance herself from white supremacist backers. The re-elected mayor underscored his opposition to hate and divisiveness while celebrating his victory.

Unofficial results indicate that Hanson lost by a significant margin in the election in Franklin, a city situated approximately 20 miles south of Nashville. Media outlet The Big Big News did not participate in the vote tallying process for this election.

Hanson, who has been serving as an alderman in Franklin, encountered additional scrutiny concerning her past, much of which was revealed by local television station WTVF-TV. The matter gained national attention, including mentions by comedian John Oliver on his HBO program, “Last Week Tonight.”

Heightening the already intense atmosphere surrounding the election, the Williamson Herald newspaper disclosed on election day that pamphlets accusing them of “leftist journalist propaganda” had been affixed to their premises.

The newspaper’s publisher, Derby Jones, indicated that the groups behind the pamphlets also issued threats against one of their journalists, their advertisers, and both him and his wife. Phil Williams, a reporter with WTVF-TV, posted images of intimidating pamphlets and social media content specifically targeting him. “The level of hate and divisiveness in Franklin is unprecedented and targeting us so openly is unacceptable,” Jones stated.

Ken Moore, the re-elected Mayor of Franklin, characterized his victory as “a strong endorsement against the hate and divisiveness that marred this election cycle.” During an election night event, Moore stated, “Franklin’s citizens have made their stance clear; they won’t tolerate the hate and anger displayed throughout this election.”

Hanson did not respond to queries made by The Big Big News on the day following the election. Her failure in the mayoral race also means she loses her existing role as an alderman.

Hanson had previously ignited controversy by sharing an unfounded theory concerning a school shooting in Nashville and criticizing the sponsorship of a Juneteenth event by Nashville International Airport.

Further controversies arose during a mayoral forum earlier this month. On Telegram, one of her backers openly identified as a Nazi, according to WTVF-TV. Another was videotaped in Cookeville earlier this year giving a Nazi salute. Despite these associations, Hanson stated that she has “never been affiliated with any white supremacist or Nazi groups” and refused to condemn their presence at the forum.

Subsequent reports by WTVF-TV also revealed a photograph of Hanson with one of the white supremacists, Sean Kauffmann, as well as an interview with one of her supporters, both of which were posted on Telegram.

On the eve of the election, Hanson reiterated her stance, stating that one of the individuals involved, Brad Lewis, was a real estate client of hers. She further stated that “you can provide services to anyone without necessarily agreeing with their beliefs.”

WTVF-TV also reported that Hanson admitted to having been arrested in Texas in the mid-1990s for promoting prostitution, which she claims was a misunderstanding. Another report indicated that Hanson falsely claimed the support of certain women, who later denied endorsing her.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson issued a statement opposing Hanson, citing her as “completely ineligible to hold any public office in Tennessee,” in remarks at a political event, as reported by the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

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More about Tennessee mayoral election

• WTVF-TV Investigations into Gabrielle Hanson
• Williamson Herald Newspaper Report on Pamphlets
• Chattanooga Times Free Press on Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson’s Comments
• HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’s Coverage
• Unofficial Election Results in Franklin, Tennessee
• Statement from Incumbent Mayor Ken Moore on Election Win