Free Republic

When is the National Rifle Association going after a politician news? When that politician is an incumbent Republican in a red state. The NRA has launched a full-scale assault on Tennessee state Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Gallatin, in an effort to have her unseated this fall. Maggart is more than just a state representative for the 45th District, which includes part of Sumner County. She is also the Republican caucus chairman, which gives her considerable clout in the General Assembly. Though the NRA routinely endorses Republicans, the gun rights organization doesn’t regularly endorse challengers to incumbent Republicans, even when the challenger...

A four-term member of the state House has been unseated by political newcomer Courtney Rogers who enjoyed the backing of the National Rifle Association. Incumbent Debra Maggart lost the seat after an outside campaign to defeat her. Maggart became a target after she went along with Republican leadership and helped scuttle a bill allowing gun owners to store weapons in their car while at work. The NRA and the Tennessee Firearms Association spent a combined $100,000 on ads attacking Maggart. They were ultimately effective, at least on Hendersonville voter Peggy Shoaf. “You know I want to have my gun in...