Tag Archives: Jean Howard-Hill

Lady J: Don’t stop the Cain Train

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Dr. Jean Howard-Hill, Republican primary candidate in Tennessee’s 3rd District and chair of the National Republican African American Caucus, says there may not be much substance to the allegations against GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain, and that he should stay in the race as a result of his “reassessment.”

From the inbox:

In the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against GOP presidential contender Herman Cain, the National Republican African American Caucus [NRAAC] national chair, Dr. Jean Howard-Hill says short of a primary endorsement, the NRAAC stands with Mr. Cain and encourages him to remain in the race.

Dr. Jean Howard-Hill, who also has taught American Government at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga points out, “Politics is a hard ground where even if everyone else who is judging you is also with fault, once you enter the arena, attempts will be made to find everything possible to raise the issue of guilt. It is all about discrediting your opponent in an attempt to create an advantage.”

She says that although it is not meant to be about race, Mr. Cain also brings to this election and also to the Republican Party, hope that the party (at least at the grassroots level) is embracing the idea of people of color being supported for elected positions.

“We look out on the national scene and see so few to none of us. Seeing how the GOP has embraced Mr. Cain, as African American Republicans we can’t help but be encouraged and inspired.”

Howard-Hill says that Mr. Cain has to deal with these allegations, but should do it in such a way that it does not slow down his pace or cause supporters to question his abilities or integrity. Having his wife at his side, she believes makes a big difference and is his strongest defense.

As a female, personally she contends, “It is not within the nature of a woman to stand with her man, if she believes he has done her wrong. So if Gloria Cain can still support him and be at his side, perhaps this is an indication that the allegations may not be concerning enough to have significant impact. Whether this is true or not, remains to be seen.”

The NRAAC intends to support Mr. Cain’s right and need to stay in the race, until there is a more compelling reason for not doing so.

According to Nat’l Chair Howard-Hill, “even if he does not become the GOP presidential nominee, the vice presidential spot is not out of reach. Therefore, he has to stay strong and continue to contend for the number one presidential spot.”

Howard-Hill opens campaign headquarters

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Jean Howard-Hill started to lead a visitor around the corner and down the hall to where she could place a bag full of donated items, then stopped herself. “They’ll show you,” she said, vaguely waving toward a couple of campaign volunteers. She redirected to her main task, which was to greet people as they came in and, you know, be the candidate.

Flag balloons adorn the entrance to the Jean Howard-Hill campaign headquarters on Brainerd Road.


A few minutes earlier, “Lady J” was vocally reminding herself to abstain from fussing over the finishing touches on the tables of food, punch, and desserts. It seemed clear that she was used to being in control of the details, and that to be relegated to the front-and-center duties was regarded as being partially stripped of her power.

The trickle of arrivals was slow enough—due in part, she said, to a misplaced announcement of the event’s start time—to allow us a chance to sit and talk.

Punch and goodies. Contributed photo.


After exchanging the “how’s it going?” and “very well” niceties that open just about all conversations with candidates, we got into national politics for a bit. Since Howard-Hill heads the National African American Republican Caucus, I needed to know what she thought about Herman Cain’s rise to the top tier of presidential candidates. She contrasted Cain with former Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele, saying that Steele had been anointed by party insiders while Cain “came from out of nowhere.” She remarked that most of his support seems to come from non-establishment white Republicans. We agreed that it would be historic to see an Obama-Cain general election match-up.

We talked about the federal budget, and what could be done to curb runaway spending. She said that she would scour every federal agency and get rid of any wasteful expenditures. On entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare, she said that the current recipients need to be assured that their support will not change; but that people paying into the system now, even though they should expect something at the end, should probably have their expectations gradually adjusted to meet reality.

Jean Howard-Hill, center, meets with supporters. Contributed photo.


Turning back to the race at hand, I asked her which of her opponents, actual and potential, was the one to beat. “Which one worries you most?” I queried. “Weston Wamp? Congressman Fleischmann? Robin Smith?”

“I don’t worry,” Howard-Hill quickly smiled, and added that she focuses on winning over voters to her message and not on her opponents’ campaigns. I reminded her that she did lash out at a pricey fundraiser held by Fleischmann that featured U.S. House Speaker John Boehner as the honored guest. That, she said, warranted a specific response because it displayed a backwards emphasis on support. “You don’t get Washington to come say who should be elected,” she scolded. “You get the people of the district” to make that choice.

Howard-Hill said she especially likes meeting with senior citizens, at home in Hamilton and up north in Anderson, Union, and Grainger Counties. And indeed, the invitation to her headquarters opening asked attendees to bring household necessities to donate for distribution to the elderly during the upcoming winter months.

After attempting to uncover the secret of her prolificness, which garnered me a loaned copy of her generous tome Black Eyes Shut, White Lips Sealed, I left the candidate to be with her staff and supporters.

Below is a video taken by the campaign at the event.

Smith: ‘I’ve decided I will make a decision’ by end of month

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Former Tennessee Republican Party chair Robin Smith reaffirmed to Nooga.com that, by the end of November, she will have made a move either into or definitively away from the 2012 GOP primary race for U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 3rd District.

Some might see Smith’s recent trip to Washington, D.C., where she met with “‘individuals, encouragers, and donors,’” as providing a hint at which direction she may be leaning. It could just as well be a signal that someone talked her out of it, but it seems like she would just go ahead and announce a declination to run and get on with the holidays. Please note that I’ve been wrong before.

Others thinking about becoming candidates in this race include Chattanooga attorney J.B. Bennett and Army officer and restaurateur Savas Kyriakidis (the latter ran as an independent in 2010); and there is a draft movement to entice former Tennessee College Republicans president Tres Wittum to run.

The Nooga article correctly observes that redistricting could change the 3rd District’s boundaries; but in terms of an impact to potential candidates, that only mildly affects where to go to ask for votes. Hamilton County is where half the voters live (in the current district), and it’s not going anywhere. A candidate is not required to live in the district in order to run or to serve.

The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, was elected in 2010 after having narrowly defeated Smith in a crowded primary. Two candidates have declared as Fleischmann’s opponents in the Republican primary: Dr. Jean Howard-Hill and Weston Wamp.

Howard-Hill lambastes Fleischmann for fundraiser

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Edward Lewis: I never treated you like a prostitute.
[Walks away]
Vivian: You just did.

Dr. Jean Howard-Hill today lashed out at campaign rival U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann over his Chattanooga fundraiser with U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).

Congress is not a whore that you pay to have your way with her. She is a sacred institution, established for and by the people by the U.S. Constitution for the purposes of making, changing, and repealing laws that are essential to the well-being of our citizens and our nation. It is a body entrusted with oversight and public education responsibilities. She is no whore and should not be treated this way.

I find it reprehensible that Congressman Fleischmann, at a time when there are people out of work with an unemployment rate of 9.7 for Tennessee, 9.2 for Chattanooga and an average of 9.1 nationally would flaunt this kind of ‘wealthy only’ event before working people trying to make ends meet – and to do it in broad day light in their own front yard!

Later in the press release, Howard-Hill came closer to calling Fleischmann and Boehner themselves members of the world’s oldest profession, though the intent is not exactly clear. Referring to the fundraiser’s levels of access to the guest of honor that increase with the donation amount, she said “Now if this is not prostitution, I don’t know what is. It is the very thing that is wrong with Washinton [sic], D.C. and politicians. Bigger than life politicians who would prostitute even themselves for the money.”

Howard-Hill’s presser states one thing quite directly, though: “There will be no whores if I am elected.”

The Fleischmann campaign declined to comment on this story. Fellow Third District GOP primary contender Weston Wamp’s campaign was also contacted but did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The fundraiser will be held Thursday night, October 27, at the Walden Club, a members-only establishment on the top floor of Chattanooga’s tallest downtown building.

Talkin’ ’bout his generation

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As has been expected for several months, Weston Wamp confirmed over the weekend that he is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee’s 3rd District in 2012.

This means Wamp will face freshman incumbent U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann in the Republican primary next August, in a bid to serve in the seat his father, Zach Wamp, held until January of this year.

In addition to cashing in on his significant name recognition, Wamp is starting out of the gate by appealing to citizens of his age group, as a video posted to his campaign website and YouTube account reveals.

One other Republican candidate, Jean Howard-Hill, has announced a campaign to win this primary election, while at least two others are said to be considering a run. These include Robin Smith, former chair of the Tennessee Republican Party, who finished in second place in the 2010 primary; and Tres Wittum, former state chair of the Tennessee College Republicans.

To date, no Democrats, independents, or third party candidates have announced an intent to run.

As just a passing note of semi-related interest: Chris Carroll, who wrote the Times Free Press article linked above, is the son of Chattanooga media veteran David Carroll, currently an anchor at WRCB. Fathers passing “the mantle” to their sons is a time-honored tradition. In Wamp’s case, it will be up to the voters to decide if it holds true.