Tennessee Neo-Nazis Show Up to Support Far-Right Mayoral Candidate

The Tennessee city of Franklin, located south of Nashville, is embroiled in a whirlwind of political controversy as white supremacist involvement surfaces in its ongoing mayoral race.

On Monday, the disquieting scenario unfolded during a candidate forum, where self-identified neo-Nazis showed up to rally behind mayoral hopeful Gabrielle Hanson, stirring concerns among locals and officials over extremist ideologies infiltrating their community’s political milieu.

Jeff Tischauser, a senior Southern Poverty Law Center researcher, detailed the disconcerting affiliations of the Tennessee Active Club, the white supremacist group in question, to Nashville tv station WTVF. “This is a group that openly is anti-Semitic,” Tischauser said. “They are racist, full of racist, bigoted white supremacists. Online, they are worshiping Hitler.”

At the heart of the storm stands Hanson, who found herself escorted to the forum by key figures from the extremist group, including Sean Kauffmann and Brad Lewis, both known for their extremist inclinations. Kauffmann, with a documented history of violent acts and Holocaust denial, and Lewis, a local store owner notorious for right-wing messaging, were explicit about their affiliations with white supremacist ideologies.

Related: Tennessee City Will Have Pride After Republican Mayor’s Tie-Breaking Vote

At the forum, when asked by WTVF if they were there to make a statement, one of the neo-Nazis present said, "No, we're not making a statement. We're here for Gabrielle Hanson." The group said they were there to protect Hanson, the candidate they referred to as fighting Pride events.

"We're just making sure everything goes well," one man, wearing a mask, told the outlet.

In the aftermath, as reported by Nashville NBC affiliate WSMV, Hanson sought to distance herself somewhat from the extremist group.

“I did not hire the group that showed up at the debate the other night, nor did I ask them to participate as security for the event,” Hanson said. “Furthermore, I want to state categorically that I am not, nor have I ever been associated with any white supremacy or Nazi-affiliated group.”

However, Hanson never came out and condemned the neo-Nazis coming to the forum, The Daily Beast points out. The outlet reports that in a subsequent news release, she didn't even say the group was unwelcome at future campaign events. "Instead, she embedded three Telegram messages to a news release that did more to promote the hate group than it did to denounce it," the Beast wrote.

“Our group is not backing any political entity but is protecting the public from Antifa,” one message said. “Remember there is no political solution.”

Previously, WTVF exclusively reported that Hanson, who recently spearheaded an unsuccessful bid to block a Pride festival in Franklin, was found to have cheered on her husband, Tom Hanson, at a Chicago Pride event in 2008, where he sported nothing but an American flag Speedo. This revelation contradicts her self-proclaimed stance of protecting "innocent children" from such public displays.

This unsettling saga at the forum spurred seven of the eight Franklin Board of Mayor and Alderman members to issue a joint statement condemning the intimidating demeanor exhibited by the neo-Nazis during the forum. They emphasized Franklin’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity and democratic engagement.

“Our city has always prided itself on fostering a welcoming environment for all residents,” the board members collectively asserted in the joint statement. “We firmly believe that our city’s strength and success is built upon the contributions of a diverse citizenry made up of people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and beliefs. We will not tolerate any form of hatred, intimidation, or violence directed at our residents, media representatives, or anyone else attending or participating in the democratic process.”