NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Reagan Day fundraisers have been a staple of GOP politics ever since the late president promoted the 11th Commandment against speaking ill of fellow Republicans. But in the conservative suburbs east of Nashville, the event has become too poisonous to be held this year.
According to party emails obtained by The Associated Press, three leading Tennessee Republicans refused to speak at the June 7 fundraiser if their rivals were given the same opportunity, forcing the Wilson County Republicans to call off the event altogether.
The flap suggests how fractured the GOP has become as Donald Trump and the tea party shake up what’s left of the Republican establishment. It also suggests the hardball tactics to come in the race to succeed Republican Gov. Bill Haslam in 2018.
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