The School Freedom Fund, a group advocating for school vouchers, is targeting Republicans in the special election for Congress in Tennessee’s 7th District, following a significant investment in the 2024 House race. They recently allocated around $20,000 in early August against Rep. Jody Barrett, a Republican from Dixon, who opposed the voucher program that had received over $3.1 million in backing last year. This funding was pivotal when the school voucher law narrowly passed in early 2025.
Barrett expressed his awareness of such tactics, acknowledging that those engaged in state-level politics likely anticipated this development. As the race to fill the seat vacated by Mark Green heats up, the primary is set for October 7, followed by the general election on December 2.
In 2024, Barrett’s competitor, Republican senator Lee Reeves from Franklin, benefited greatly from the School Freedom Fund, receiving $787,100 in independent spending for his campaign, which saw him win the primary by a slim margin. The Fund’s backing has been tied to a broader strategy to shape independent spending in the region, with Club for Growth President David McIntosh labeling Barrett “anti-Trump” for his votes against the “School Choice” bill.
The current voucher initiative aims to provide $7,200 to 20,000 Tennessee students for private school expenses, which Barrett has opposed. McIntosh’s recent remarks criticized Barrett’s political stance, asserting he’s not suited for the TN-07 district.
Additionally, Barrett’s past comments have come under scrutiny, such as his endorsement of Ted Cruz during the 2016 presidential race, where he described Trump as a “liberal.” This history complicates his current position, as criticism continues to surface in the form of ads highlighting his earlier skepticism of Trump.
In the previous year, despite a staggering $4.5 million expenditure by the Probutate School Voucher Group, legislative support for the bill was narrow, with only a few votes swaying the outcome. Significant investments have also been noted in other races, including where Republican Sen. Jesse Seal received over $500,000 in backing while opposing the voucher initiative.
This ongoing political landscape remains complex, reflecting shifting alliances and differing views within the Republican party, especially regarding school voucher policies and broader political identities.
