John Rose

U.S. Representative and Tennessee GOP gubernational primary candidate John Rose recently took aim at his competitor, Marsha Blackburn, in a Facebook post referencing the January 6, 2021, insurrection and 2020 election certification at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.

Posted on the morning of June 16, the day after John Rose sent two different taxpayer-funded mailers to voters across the state. Celebrating his efforts to lower the cost of housing and dedication to "election integrity", the mailers were a swing at Blackburn, according to Tennessean reporting.

One of the mailers features Rose on the steps of the Capitol building, with an accompanying text encouraging the Senate to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, legislation requiring in-person voter registration that includes proof of legal citizenship. The bill has been stalled in the Senate since passing the house in February.

"John Rose proudly stood for election integrity four times," the mailer reads.

The second mailer celebrates Roses' move to end the federal regulation that required steel chassis be installed on manufactured homes. "A game changer for low-income and young American families," the mailer states.

While the first mailer was a fairly concealed dig at his competitor, his Facebook post was not.

What did John Rose say about Marsha Blackburn?

"On January 6, 2021, politicians lied and patriots stood firm. I said I would object to the bogus elections in six states and I did. My opponent for Governor said the same thing and she didn't keep her word," wrote Rose in his Facebook post.

With no context, Rose's comment can be rather ambiguous. However, the U.S. Representative from Tennessee's 6th Congressional District is seemingly referencing Blackburn's vote to certify the 2020 election, which has consistently been deemed as a "rigged" election by many GOP members including Blackburn's most notable supporter, President Donald Trump.

Prior to casting her vote, Blackburn was among the coalition of Tennessee officials against the certification.

Rose's Facebook post was in tandem with his mailer regarding election integrity. On that mailer, Rose also touted his objection of the 2020 election. Congress formally certified the Electoral College results on January 6, confirming former President Joe Biden's victory over current President Donald Trump.

How Tennessee legislators voted to certify the 2020 election certification?

In addition to Blackburn, other Tennessee members of Congress who voted for the certification included U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty-R, former U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper-D and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen-D, according to House of Representatives and Senate Roll Call.

Along with Rose, officials who voted against the certification included the following:

U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett-R

U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais-R

U.S. Rep. Charles Fleischmann-R

U.S. Former Rep. Mark Green-R

U.S. Rep. David Kustoff-R

U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger-R

Who is winning Tennessee's GOP Gubernational race: Rose or Blackburn?

Blacburn has held a lead of between 29 and 53 percentage points over Rose since last year. According to previous Tennessean reporting, Blackburn swept the Beacon Center's May poll, earning 63% support to Rose's 10%. State Rep. Monty Fritts earned 5%.

Vivian Jones of the Tennessean assisted with this report

Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at [email protected]