Tennessee Republican Party Tells Members to 'Vote Their Conscience'

NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Republican Party is telling voters they should vote their conscience in November, days after the governor announced he would not vote for his party's nominee for president.

The move echoes what Ted Cruz at the Republican National Convention when he declined to endorse Donald Trump, who had earlier insulted Cruz's wife and insinuated that his father had been involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Eventually, Cruz did formally endorse the real-estate developer and reality television star.

In a statement emailed to the Chattanooga Times-Free Press, TNGOP chairman Ryan Haynes said "no one should be criticized" for following their convictions.

"Feelings are strong in this election and interest is high. The focus of the Tennessee Republican Party remains on advancing the conservative cause in our state over the remaining 30 days. At the same time, the media spotlight has revealed major flaws in both candidates. There is justifiable concern about the repugnant words of one and the appalling record of deception of the other. Every voter has a choice to make. At the end of the day, everyone should follow their convictions and no one should be criticized for doing so," Haynes wrote.

Brent Leatherwood, executive director of the state party, emailed WTVF to reiterate Haynes' words removing the whip from Republican voters.

“We’re encouraging people to vote their conscience. We view our job as one to continue the advance of the conservative cause by defeating Democrats. So we encourage Tennesseans to vote consistent with their conservative convictions,” Leatherwood wrote.

The state director of the Trump campaign, Metro Councilman Robert Swope told the station that he — the man charged with running the campaign in Tennessee — was prevented from speaking to the media about Trump by a non-disclosure agreement.