This DeVos-Bought-Legislator grabbed two breasts & a thigh to go.
Every kindergartener knows to keep his hands, feet and other objects to himself. So, why is it so hard for our state representatives to do the same thing? The latest sex scandal involves Rep. Mark Lovell from Eads (TN District 95) in west Tennessee. Lovell didn't even make it to one hundred days in office before he was forced to resign in shame, accused of sexual harassment.
According to the Tennessean, Lovell quickly gained a reputation as a party boy in Nashville. At a legislative reception, "he was seen visibly intoxicated…dropping cash on the floor as he spoke with the women tending bar." Another night, Lovell attended several legislative functions and was "visibly drunk" by 8:00 p.m. Sometime thereafter, Lovell allegedly grabbed a woman by her breasts and buttocks then attempted to restrain her from walking away. According to reports, he also touched another woman inappropriately that night. The whole thing was observed by witnesses who reported his behavior. One woman filed formal charges which eventually led to his resignation.
According to the Tennessean, Lovell quickly gained a reputation as a party boy in Nashville. At a legislative reception, "he was seen visibly intoxicated…dropping cash on the floor as he spoke with the women tending bar." Another night, Lovell attended several legislative functions and was "visibly drunk" by 8:00 p.m. Sometime thereafter, Lovell allegedly grabbed a woman by her breasts and buttocks then attempted to restrain her from walking away. According to reports, he also touched another woman inappropriately that night. The whole thing was observed by witnesses who reported his behavior. One woman filed formal charges which eventually led to his resignation.
But there is much more to this story than just another state legislator gone wild in Nashville
Mark Lovell is a carny guy who runs fairs and boat shows. So, it was a big surprise to folks in TN District 95 when he decided to get into politics. A political newcomer, Lovell travels around a lot for his business dealings so he doesn't have a whole lot of time to spend in Nashville during the legislative season. And he doesn't exactly have the polished appearance for the campaign trail. But it turns out those things don't really matter when you have Betsy DeVos and the American Federation for Children on your side.
According to Sen. Brian Kelsey in his op-ed for The Tennessean, the American Federation for Children was founded by Betsy DeVos in 2010. For those who have been living under a rock, Betsy DeVos was Trump's controversial pick for Secretary of Education. She narrowly made it through the nomination process, claiming among other things that guns were needed in schools in the event of a grizzly bear attack. She was approved after Vice President Pence broke the Senate tie with two Republicans voting against her. And for the past seven years, DeVos has provided Kelsey and other Tennessee lawmakers with "the policy expertise necessary to design successful school choice legislation." Only it hasn't been that successful. Every year, Tennesseans have rejected voucher legislation. So, the American Federation for children must have thought it was a good idea to get some new politicians in office.
And Mark Lovell was just the guy for the job. Before he took his campaign website down (you can still see a cached copy here), he was clear on the issues of vouchers: he liked them big time. And the American Federation for Children liked him too, calling him a pro-school choice candidate.
According to Sen. Brian Kelsey in his op-ed for The Tennessean, the American Federation for Children was founded by Betsy DeVos in 2010. For those who have been living under a rock, Betsy DeVos was Trump's controversial pick for Secretary of Education. She narrowly made it through the nomination process, claiming among other things that guns were needed in schools in the event of a grizzly bear attack. She was approved after Vice President Pence broke the Senate tie with two Republicans voting against her. And for the past seven years, DeVos has provided Kelsey and other Tennessee lawmakers with "the policy expertise necessary to design successful school choice legislation." Only it hasn't been that successful. Every year, Tennesseans have rejected voucher legislation. So, the American Federation for children must have thought it was a good idea to get some new politicians in office.
And Mark Lovell was just the guy for the job. Before he took his campaign website down (you can still see a cached copy here), he was clear on the issues of vouchers: he liked them big time. And the American Federation for Children liked him too, calling him a pro-school choice candidate.
Q: What kind of politician does Federation for Children money get you?
A: Ones who lie about hurting children
The Tennessee Federation for Children continued supporting Lovell's campaign for state representative despite controversies regarding ride operations at his Delta Fair last fall. According to one account, a ride operator prematurely released restraints on the moonraker ride. Lovell told reporters that there were no injuries. This turned out to be untrue. Children came forward telling their stories to the press. Two girls who fell from the ride when their safety bar gave way, suffered broken bones and other injuries. Lovell faced criticism for covering up the details of the accident and lying about the extent of the children's injuries. Angry fairgoers took to the Delta Fair Facebook page to express their anger. One person wrote, "The situation was handled very messy and unprofessional. We will not be attending between the workers being shocked to the unprofessionalism of yesterday's actions speaks volumes." That person was referring to another accident at the 2016 Delta Fair where two workers installing rides hit a power line. They were taken to the hospital and 1600 homes lost electricity.
But before buying a new lawmaker, the Federation for Children had to get rid of the old one
In 2016, the Tennessee Federation for Children, the state arm of Betsy DeVos' organization, targeted long time incumbent, Curry Todd, the TN District 95 Republican Representative from Collierville. Over the years, Todd carried a number of education bills and was known to be an opponent of vouchers. He definitely wasn't the most perfectly well behaved representative but unlike Lovell, we don't remember him ever being investigated for sexual harassment. And one thing people could say about Rep. Todd was that he always had a heart for children. We have it on good authority that Todd walked three blocks from the State Capitol in the rain to have lunch with a group of visiting children from Shelby County. Of all the lawmakers that were invited to lunch, he was the only one who showed up.
But those good deeds fell by the wayside when the American Federation for Children began its slick smear campaign against him. Mailboxes in the suburbs of Memphis were soon filled with glossy brochures trashing Todd.
Any guesses who paid for them?
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports, "In state legislative primaries, the standout spending was by Tennessee Federation for Children in advertising attacking state Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, who lost on Aug. 4. The group had earlier reported spending $109,363 in opposing Todd and disclosed last week another $23,714 in the new report for a total of about $133,000 – an apparent record for a single PAC against a single legislator."
Maybe, Sen. Alexander should have asked the incoming Secretary of Education, what she had against Curry Todd?
But we all know the answer to that—he opposed vouchers.
But those good deeds fell by the wayside when the American Federation for Children began its slick smear campaign against him. Mailboxes in the suburbs of Memphis were soon filled with glossy brochures trashing Todd.
Any guesses who paid for them?
The Knoxville News Sentinel reports, "In state legislative primaries, the standout spending was by Tennessee Federation for Children in advertising attacking state Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, who lost on Aug. 4. The group had earlier reported spending $109,363 in opposing Todd and disclosed last week another $23,714 in the new report for a total of about $133,000 – an apparent record for a single PAC against a single legislator."
Maybe, Sen. Alexander should have asked the incoming Secretary of Education, what she had against Curry Todd?
But we all know the answer to that—he opposed vouchers.
Here's Your Sign...
We've heard from our Momma Bears in west Tennessee that during the state primaries, it seemed like Mark Lovell's political yard signs began appearing overnight in almost every place imaginable. There were signs in medians, public property, vacant tracts of land, and even in yards without the owner's permission. Folks in Collierville were complaining on Facebook that Lovell signs were appearing in their yards and they didn't want or request a sign.
Next thing you know, the local news is running footage of Curry Todd pulling up one of Mark Lovell's signs.
Was he removing it from the public right of way, did he have permission from the landowner to take it down, or was he stealing the two dollar sign???? Well, there is a criminal case about that going on right now. Yep, you read that right— a criminal case so cue the Law & Order music.
Two days before the primary election, Curry Todd was arrested and charged with theft under $500 for removing/taking Lovell's yard signs. Not only was that story on the local news in Memphis, but it was all over the national press. The story appeared on NPR, The Washington Post, Fox News, New York Daily News, MTV News, USA Today, Daily Mail (UK), and others.
Who would have thought a misdemeanor involving political signs in a small Tennessee town would have made the news around the country and over in Britain???? Seriously? Doesn't that kind of stuff happen in every election in every town. Another candidate in the race even came forward claiming she was also missing yard signs so Todd must have stolen those too. But her claim never made news around the world so, it must be a rule in politics that only candidates with ties to really rich, powerful people get national press coverage.
Next thing you know, the local news is running footage of Curry Todd pulling up one of Mark Lovell's signs.
Was he removing it from the public right of way, did he have permission from the landowner to take it down, or was he stealing the two dollar sign???? Well, there is a criminal case about that going on right now. Yep, you read that right— a criminal case so cue the Law & Order music.
Two days before the primary election, Curry Todd was arrested and charged with theft under $500 for removing/taking Lovell's yard signs. Not only was that story on the local news in Memphis, but it was all over the national press. The story appeared on NPR, The Washington Post, Fox News, New York Daily News, MTV News, USA Today, Daily Mail (UK), and others.
Who would have thought a misdemeanor involving political signs in a small Tennessee town would have made the news around the country and over in Britain???? Seriously? Doesn't that kind of stuff happen in every election in every town. Another candidate in the race even came forward claiming she was also missing yard signs so Todd must have stolen those too. But her claim never made news around the world so, it must be a rule in politics that only candidates with ties to really rich, powerful people get national press coverage.
But That's Not the End of the Story
Oh no, this saga continues...
Todd was arrested 48 hours before the primary elections and was taken to the county jail. Then, guess who showed up to bail him out???? Well, none other than his opponent, Mark Lovell. We have to admit this political stunt seems to have been choreographed like a crooked midway game at the carnival.
That happened six months ago and Todd's legal case still has not been resolved. It has lasted longer than Lovell's tenure in the legislature. In fact, word has it that the case has to be continually re-set due to unavailability of a witness. That witness spends a lot of time out of town. Hmmm, we are wondering if that witness recently grabbed his hot Nashville chicken to go so he could make his court date. Bet there won't be any national coverage when the case against Todd is finally resolved.
Todd was arrested 48 hours before the primary elections and was taken to the county jail. Then, guess who showed up to bail him out???? Well, none other than his opponent, Mark Lovell. We have to admit this political stunt seems to have been choreographed like a crooked midway game at the carnival.
That happened six months ago and Todd's legal case still has not been resolved. It has lasted longer than Lovell's tenure in the legislature. In fact, word has it that the case has to be continually re-set due to unavailability of a witness. That witness spends a lot of time out of town. Hmmm, we are wondering if that witness recently grabbed his hot Nashville chicken to go so he could make his court date. Bet there won't be any national coverage when the case against Todd is finally resolved.
Good Job, Betsy!!!
You picked a good one with Lovell. Your track record in Tennessee is as bad as it is in Michigan.
It's going to cost the taxpayers $120,000 to $140,000 for a special election to replace Lovell. Not only did you waste your money, but you wasted our money too.
Thanks a lot!!
It's going to cost the taxpayers $120,000 to $140,000 for a special election to replace Lovell. Not only did you waste your money, but you wasted our money too.
Thanks a lot!!
All around the playground, you can hear children sing:
Etsy Betsy, Bottle of Ink
My gosh you stink.
Etsy Betsy, Bottle of Ink
My gosh you stink.
