Christopher Richards County Commissioner

Category: Election Info

  • Calling all Dist 7 Republicans – Sept 13, 2022

    Calling all Dist 7 Republicans – Sept 13, 2022

    Information just published by the Williamson County GOP states that a convention will be held on Sept 13, 2022 starting at 5:00 PM at the Cool Springs Marriott.

    If you are a District 7 Republican voter, and would like to participate in the special convention to elect the Republican candidate for District 7 County Commissioner, come to the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, TN on Sept 13 starting at 5 PM.

    Bring a photo ID with your D7 address and/or voter registration card and be prepared to attest to your Republican party activity. For example, did you have a yard sign for a Republican candidate, attend a Trump rally, make a donation to any Republican candidate or group?

    For all the details, please refer to my Events page.

  • Special Election

    Special Election

    I’m not sure if you’ve heard the news, but Bert Chalfant passed away earlier this week. My family sends their condolences to Betty Jane, Bert’s widow, and his entire family during their time of loss.

    The only news I’ve officially seen regarding Bert’s passing is the announcement here on the Williamson County Public Notices site regarding a special election to fill the vacancy.

    Commissioner Chalfant won the Republican primary in May, squeaking out a victory of 11 votes over me. I am committed to running in the special election to serve the voters of District 7 who supported me during the May 3 Republican primary and the voters who wrote in my name as an unofficial write-in in the August 4 general election.

  • SEC Decision Made

    SEC Decision Made

    The TN Republican State Executive Committee (SEC) continued the review of my election challenge tonight. The committee invited Chad Gray, Administrator of the Williamson County Election Commission, to confirm that the certified election documentation included errors and how these errors, in his opinion, did not affect the results of the District 7 race.

    The SEC did recognize that the Williamson County election process needs to be tightened up, since at least 5 election officials/poll workers, signed their names to incorrect documentation and that documentation was returned in the request for election certification result.

    I would like to thank the Republican party and the State Executive Committee members for their time and attention to my concerns.

    While I did not prevail tonight, I wish Bert Chalfant and Tom Tunnicliffe the best of luck in the General Election on Aug 4, and I will fully support conservative candidates in the Aug 4 election.

    I will continue to work diligently to make sure that the Brentwood Middle School is fully funded, and that we keep watch over the county debt.

  • It’s Not Over Yet

    It’s Not Over Yet

    Tonight the TN GOP State Executive Committee (SEC) met to review my contest of the Republican Primary election results. All I can say is, what a roller coaster ride. We presented facts about inaccuracies in the vote totals and the large number of Democrats who voted in the Republican primary in District 7.

    The SEC voted to decertify the primary election results. The decision was about 2/3 in my favor. This meant that they now have to figure out what option to choose to remedy the results.

    During the ensuing discussion, the SEC could not agree on a remedy. Instead they voted to “un-decertify” the primary election results (about 50/50 split decision) -meaning we are back to square one on my contest.

    The SEC has recessed until tomorrow (Thursday) and will once again take up the discussion on the merits of my evidence and determine what to do. Prayers for the SEC and TN GOP leadership that they have discernment and do the right thing.

  • Contesting the Election

    Contesting the Election

    Results of the Republican primary have been certified and the Election Commission reports that I am eleven (11) votes short of victory. That represents 0.04% of the total votes cast for this race. After consulting my campaign team and receiving feedback from the early voting and Election Day activities, I have decided to contest the election results.

    Here is a summary of my reasons:

    • Use of ES&S voting machines – this is the first election in Williamson County using these machines, replacing Dominion voting machines that were proven unreliable during elections in 2021. The ES&S machines had many of the same issues as the Dominion machines they were replacing and questions we posed during the candidate inspection on April 8, 2022 were not addressed and still have not been addressed. Additionally, for at least one voting machine in use in the May 3 primary, there were more votes cast than corresponding applications recorded for that machine.
    • Democrats voted in the Republican primary – encouraged by entrenched Democrat party members, there were eighty seven (87) District 7 Democrats who voted Republican for the first time in this May 3, 2022 primary. They were encouraged to vote for incumbent county commissioners by prominent Democrats in Williamson County.
    • Confusing ballot instructions – the directions on the ballot directed voters to “Vote for 2” county commissioners, when voters are able to vote for up to 2 county commissioners. Some voters in District 7 reported that they thought they had to vote for two candidates instead of being able to just vote for one county commissioner candidate.

    I have formally requested that the Republican party review my concerns and respond with a remedy. I will keep you posted on their response.