Alexander: Beware of Republican Primary 'Pretenders'

Across our nation, there are a few hotly contested federal and state Republican primaries in which genuine conservative candidates are facing wealthy pretenders who are recasting themselves as “conservative.” These imitators can fund unlimited advertising and social media buys for their makeovers.

Some “conservative” candidates are, at best, moderates.

A case study of how such pretenders operate is the primary campaign between those seeking to become Tennessee’s 50th governor. One candidate, Randy Boyd, hails from a well-heeled family and is a likable candidate. He is a husband and father, and he has supported some initiatives that have helped his community of Knoxville, Tennessee.

But he is not a “conservative Republican,” despite the facade that he and his handlers have erected for their campaign to defeat an unpretentious and unapologetic conservative, Rep. Diane Black.

Let me be clear: My objection is not that Boyd is a moderate. I am a pragmatist and sometimes a moderate is the best a primary has to offer. My objection is that he’s a pretender who is endeavoring to dupe millions of conservative Tennessee voters into believing he’s one of them. He self-identified as a “moderate” when he was exploring his candidacy, but he now insists he’s a “lifelong conservative” and his brand is “Conservative for Governor.” The political campaign deceptions he condones demonstrate a serious underlying character flaw.

This example of re-fabrication is being repeated in other Republican primaries across the nation.

Perhaps this opinion/analysis of one such campaign will inspire the exposure of other pretenders.