Hijacking Tactics (Not Values) from the Far-Right
In this March monthly newsletter, take a few tips from Andrew Breitbart, who, long before Trump, understood the assignment: win the culture and politics will follow.
I have the benefit of my campaign treasurer, Emilee Warner, recording every news segment and flagging every earned media hit that mentions my legislation. Last week, I poured myself a glass of wine and made the life choice of reading the comment section on the links she flagged.
And there it was—dozens of unprompted Tennesseans posting “PUT THE POT IN TDOT 🌳🌳🌳🌳”; “yeah let’s put the 420 in 440…”; “the potholes are a far worse problem than the potheads”… I was CACKLING.
Another friend texted me that Pot for Potholes made Nashville Reddit and yet, there it was again: a steady stream of people I’ve never met—teachers, truckers, grandmas, and meme lords—posting similar comments. No coordinated campaign. No Russian bots. No residue from paid lobbyists. Just a bunch of Tennesseans saying, “you know what, hell yeah, that does make sense.”
Folks, we’ve permeated the ✨culture✨.
You’ve probably heard that infamous quote: “Politics is downstream from culture.” It’s often credited to Andrew Breitbart—the far-right media agitator who founded Breitbart News, helped engineer Trumpism, and gave the conservative movement its favorite blueprint: dominate culture, and the politics will follow. (If you’re my Substack acquaintance, DJ Tucker, perhaps you’d argue that politics and culture are completely intertwined.)
Republican Party leaders took that seriously. For decades, they’ve invested in culture wars like picking on trans kids and our immigrant neighbors instead of funding our communities. They’ve built media empires, weaponized outrage, and turned every school library, drag show, and undocumented kids into a flashpoint, all the while lining the pockets of corporations and the ruling class. And it worked. While Democratic Party insiders funded yet another messaging poll telling them to be more populist (which they ignored), praised bipartisanship at the sacrifice of monumental legislative wins, and attempted to fact-check their way out of Tartarus… the underworld was growing and clawing its way to the surface.
It’s time we turned the tables.
Ending the grocery tax by closing corporate loopholes, challenging private equity for buying up our homes, and legalizing pothole repairs have made their way into the public imagination. These aren’t fringe ideas anymore. And the more we focus on shifting the culture, the more we can organize these primed constituencies against the real villains: greedy corporations and the billionaires who keep us broke, tired, and mad at each other.
We’re already planning fun “cultural events” across the state, so stay tuned for our Summer and Fall shenanigans as we take these ideas on the road. Breitbart was right about one thing: politics is downstream of culture. But where they used that to divide and dominate, we use it to unite and organize… and have a little fun along the way.
Aftyn
P.S. TOTALLY UNRELATED, I met Priscilla Presley during session and nearly died. Picture below… maybe one day I’ll include the photo of middle school me wearing my “Elvis Rocks” t-shirt, which I didn’t take off my entire sixth-grade year. No, I will not be commenting further.
Legislative Updates
Committees Closing Ahead of Casada Federal Trial
Welp, as I expected, I’ve been overwhelmed with my legislative and defensive organizing, so I haven’t updated y’all as much as I wanted. But please know if I’m not responding to your texts, it’s because I’m scheming and trying to mitigate as much harm as possible. Additionally, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the immigration groups this session, using my position to turn the heat up on allies who should be a bit more vocal on these wildly unconstitutional and violent bills making their way through.
Last week was FRENETIC… and this week will be worse. Please give me grace in responding to texts, e-mails, and calls.
Testified against a terrible anti-homelessness bill that would allow law enforcement to sweep encampments of our unhoused neighbors with little time to find permanent housing solutions.
Tried to file an amendment to neuter an anti-LGBTQIA “bathroom bill” that would micromanage private institutions of their ability to set their own policies. Yet, not shocking, they forced a vote and cancelled all debate. You can read about that moment here.
I have seen A LOT at the Tennessee legislature over my tenure, but this particular moment was jaw-droppingly wild. Imagine… a room filled with kids and stakeholders for AG Day on the Hill listening to Farm Bureau execs tout the necessity of eliminating the ability for Tennesseans to sue Monsanto over their products.
You can watch the testimony by clicking this link and scrolling to HB809.
I was so proud of my social work intern Casey for testifying against this bill. She did a terrific job sharing her personal story and everyone should listen to her (click the link above).
NEXT WEEK…
Live in Tennessee? Use this link to e-mail your Reps about #PotForPotholes.
I'll be presenting my Worker’s Right to Live bill, the Office of Rural Prosperity, Bearing Witness to the Death Penalty and the Tennessee Sexual Violence Justice Act. You can learn more by clicking here.
A reminder that Republicans are trying to pile as much as possible into these next two weeks because they want to end before the federal trial of former Speaker Casada begins on April 22nd…
HD51 Constituents Continue to Show Up
Last Tuesday, as I was preparing to present my “Workers Right to Live” bill outside the committee, I was suddenly surrounded by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and heard chants from inside one of the committee rooms. I pushed my way in to see a room full of allies standing up and repeating the Pledge of Allegiance over and over. Not only that, but as I did a double take, the room was filled with MY CONSTITUENTS.
I was so proud to see so many of you showing up for our immigrant neighbors, and then I thought to myself, do I need to set up a bail fund?!?!?! To be continued…
I also want to thank so many of you including the East Nashtivists, the Wilson County Democratic Women’s Group, and so many of you for your kind notes and affirming gestures this session. Grateful for this delivery from Rose Hill Flowers who recognized that I have been taking no sh*t when it comes to those bullying my constituents.
Helpful Links for the Legislative Session
See below for various information outlets to understand what’s happening at the Tennessee Legislature. If you have others, please respond to this e-mail, as I’ll keep adding them!
Remember, by clicking here, you can find easy-to-read one-pagers on my 2025 legislation.
You can view the committee schedules by clicking this link.
If you are interested in speaking on a House bill during the Committee process, you can do so 24 hours before the committee starts by clicking this link.
Please be aware that Committee Chairs have complete discretion over who gets to speak and may decide at the last minute that your testimony is no longer needed.
Do you have a child that wants to be “Page for the Day”? You can e-mail your House or Senate member to ask to put them on the list to page during a Floor session on Monday night or Thursday morning.
Senator Charlane Oliver’s The Senator’s Source e-mail: way more thorough and professional than my Substack 🤣… she’s doing it better than anyone!
Adam Shoop’s Substack Shoop.WTF which contrasts different pieces of legislation backed by empirical evidence
Our grassroots organization, the East Nashtivists’ People’s Pulse, features invaluable insights from Michele Flynn’s Substack, who thoroughly highlights the latest antics
Keel Hunt’s Field Notes substack: Keel served under former Governor Lamar Alexander and is a prolific author documenting Tennessee politics
Announcements
DONELSON — Join CM Jeff Gregg and me for a town hall this Saturday, March 29th from 2-4 PM at the Donelson Library. You can register for the town hall by clicking here! You can find registration links and more information about future townhalls on my Events site!
MADISON — My social work intern Casey is conducting a community needs assessment for her final project. Our team will be canvassing throughout April. If you want to get involved, this action is an easy lift and an excellent way to meet other HD51 residents! Here’s the link to sign up with more information about the canvassing events!
In the Press
On The Go
MTSU Social Work Presentation
I had the chance to visit MTSU to see my incredible social work intern, Casey, present her Spring practicum project. It was inspiring to see social workers in action, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support and mentor someone so committed to building a better world for others.
Save Our Social Security Rally in Nashville
MOM, we made it on Rachel Maddow! A big thank you to everyone who attended the Save Our Social Security rally at the Nashville SSA office. I was so impressed to see so many Substack subscribers, including my Donelson favorites, the Hollands! A big thank you to Jennifer Brinkman for organizing.
Priscilla Presley visits the TN House Floor
Ms. Presley received the Colonel Aide De Camp Award, a civilian's highest honor in Tennessee. “Fittingly enough, 64 years ago almost to the day, Elvis received the exact same commendation in the exact same legislative chamber, according to News Channel 5.”
Days on the Hill
Thanks to everyone who has made time to see me the past month! Enjoyed time with this Women’s Day on the Hill group organized by the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus — discussed organizing efforts, opportunities, and how we can continue to fight back.
Community Spotlight
A fellow community member is raising money for laser projection equipment for protests and rallies. This would be very helpful to have, especially as private spaces increasingly become harder to access.
I had the pleasure to meet Anna Leniski, a Hume Fogg High School student in my district, who has been organizing to pressure Nashville Schools to hire a Chief of Sustainability. You can sign her petition here.
Thank you for being a wonderful representative in the legislature. Intelligent, insightful and a sense of humor.
Krome detention facility in Miami…severe overcrowding of immigrant detainees. 4000 being held in a space that is only supposed to hold 500…this sounds like a 2nd Middle Passage! Please look into this to verify veracity. It’s all over TikTok.