The Brad Staats’ Campaign for the Fifth Congressional District announces an endorsement from a prominent Congressman from Florida.  Congressman Steve Southerland announced his support for business owner Brad Staats, who is running against 23 year incumbent Jim Cooper.  Congressman Southerland has been a leader representing residents of the Second District for North and Northwest Florida and also owns a local small business.

“We need more conservative champions in Congress who will put faith, family, and freedom first. I have known Brad Staats and his family for 35 years, and I’ve witnessed the strength of his character and the depth of his commitment to restoring America. By sending Brad to Washington, the people of Tennessee’s Fifth Congressional District will help us shake things up in Congress and get our nation back on the right track, “explained Congressman Southerland.

After receiving Congressman Southerland’s endorsement, Staats stated “I am honored and humbled by Congressman Southerland’s support and believe that the residents of the Fifth Congressional District do not deserve politics as usual, which has been going on the last four years.  Our main focus needs to be getting people back to work, cutting big spending and keeping government away from our businesses and our lives.”

The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), a group created to help elect pro-business candidates and provide information for political activities, has endorsed Brad Staats in his race in Tennessee’s 5^th Congressional District.

Brad Staats, a small business owner, said, “I am grateful to have the support of the NAW for my campaign. Our number one focus is the economy which can be repaired once the burdens of government are reduced from the hard-working entrepreneurs of Tennessee.”

NAW’s endorsement is yet another pro-business group that Staats has gained since winning the Republican primary. NAW’s Washington Action Network identifies and catalogs personal relationships between Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and industry executives.

Nashville, TN

Businessman Brad Staats, Republican candidate for the 5^th Congressional District, named AJ McCall a prominent businessman and strong Republican advocate as State Finance Chairman for his campaign.

“AJ McCall has proven to be a tremendous asset in helping elect several Republican lawmakers across the State of Tennessee.  I have enjoyed getting to know AJ over the past couple of months.  He will bring valuable resources to the campaign in our efforts to raise the money needed to get our message out to the voters of the 5^th Congressional District, “Staats said.

McCall, a graduate of Vanderbilt and a former officer of the Army Reserve, serves as CEO of his family’s successful furniture and appliance store DT McCall and Sons, which has several locations across Middle Tennessee.  “With unemployment numbers above 8% for the last 43 months, I feel that Brad brings a new perspective to Washington.  I also feel that Davidson, Cheatham and Dickson county residents deserve a Representative that understands the difference in signing a payroll check, instead of the back of one,” McCall states.

As of noon, there were only 24 provisional ballots still out – not enough to change the outcome of a very close election.  Since there were no reports of voting irregularities, it appears the primary election cycle is complete.

Brad Staats releases the following statement:

“Last night was a long night and a rewarding conclusion to a hard fought campaign.  I want to congratulate all my opponents on the great – and sometimes spirited – campaigns they ran.  As I’m sure some of them would agree, this campaign was never about any of us – but rather about changing the direction of our federal government.

Over the next few months, we will have an opportunity to have an honest discussion with the people of Tennessee about the issues.  And at the end of the day, the voters of the 5^th Congressional District will have a choice to make: they can vote for the status quo or they can give me a chance to make a difference.

Our campaign looks forward to that conversation and I will be forever grateful to our supporters who made the sacrifice to give us a chance to serve.”

Brad Staats, 43, is a conservative small businessman who believes we need new leadership if we want to move our country in a different direction. Brad received Baccalaureate of Arts in English Literature from Oral Roberts University with a second degree in Music.  Brad founded ConsulTel, a wholesale security distribution company located in Hermitage, Tennessee, in 2003.

Brad his wife, Bethany, have 4 children.

Nashville, Tennessee – A good week for the Staats for U.S. Congress Campaign got even better on Saturday, when the members of the Nashville Republican Party voted in favor of first-time candidate and small businessman, Brad Staats, in the straw poll at their annual picnic. The crowd of over two hundred activists braved the heat to get the chance to hear from the candidates and vote in the straw poll at Centennial Park. The important victory continued the string of successes for Fifth Congressional District Candidate, Brad Staats, who proudly accepted endorsements this week from Republican State Senate Caucus Chair, Bill Ketron, and Senator Jim Tracy.

It was clear that Staats’ message highlighted his small business experience and revealed his middle class, family-centered background was resonating with voters.   A supporter, Jeff Senters, explained that “you can tell that he understands the way Washington is burdening this economy and that he is determined to get us back on track.”

The straw poll victory and warm reception was the exclamation point on a week that built significant momentum for Staats as he looks ahead to the primary and the general against twenty-two year  incumbent Congressman Jim Cooper.   Campaign Manager, John Shorter, observed, “With the party establishment starting to line up behind Staats, the support of the GOP activists we earned today, and the successes we’re seeing in grassroots, we’re excited about where the campaign goes from here.” Shorter also added that for a first-time candidate who only announced three months ago, “Staats has exceeded all possible expectations, and the fact that he’s built this momentum is a testament to his powerful message.”

Brad Staats said with a smile, “I’m just a middle class, small business owner. I’m honored and humbled by all the prayers, donations, and support we’ve received, especially this week, and I’m looking forward to the August 2^nd primary and the fall campaign, as our momentum continues to build.”

Welcoming Senator Ketron’s endorsement, Staats stated “I am honored to have, Bill Ketron, the second ranking member of the Tennessee State Senate, endorse our campaign. It is with support like his that we will emerge victorious in the primary and defeat a liberal like Jim Cooper in November.”

Republican Senator Jim Tracy has publicly announced his support for Nashville businessman Brad Staats in his campaign for the Republican nomination in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District.July 2, 2012

Antioch, Tennessee

June 22, 2012

Today, Pastor Ed Clay has been announced as the Chairman of the Christian Coalition for the Brad Staats for Congress campaign. The addition of Pastor Clay provides added momentum to a campaign that has seen a recent surge in support, as frustration with Jim Cooper mounts in his twenty-second year as a Congressman and primary day approaches. Pastor Clay, an influential voice in the Nashville Christian community, has led as a pastor for thirty years, most recently at the Church of God at Antioch on Mt. View Road. Clay is also a Vietnam veteran, having served as a Lance Corporal from 1973 to 1975 in the Marine Corps.  Pastor Clay also was recently appointed to serve as Volunteer Chaplain for the Metro Nashville Police Department.

A ringing political endorsement from Pastor Clay may have come as a surprise to his friends and his congregation, because he has not been politically active. However, that changed when Clay heard Brad Staats speak at a recent campaign stop. While Staats’ Christian faith was an important factor, Clay says, “the most important thing was that I could feel how emotional this campaign is. Brad is an everyday American who is worried for his kids’ futures and for the health of all the small businesses just like his and knows we need changes in Washington now.” Clay also noticed that Staats is in tune with the concerns of regular people because “he is one of us” and he “hasn’t been cooped up in Washington.”

Staats, a devoted member and Sunday school teacher at Cornerstone Church, was thrilled to receive the support of Pastor Clay. “I’m honored to bring such a great man and leader in this community on to our team and by having Pastor Ed Clay leading ‘Christians for Staats’ will be a major asset throughout the campaign.”

Adair Schippers has been named the Chairwoman of the Brad Staats for Congress Campaign in Cheatham County, as the campaign continues to build an organization ready to take on Jim Cooper. Schippers, a resident of Kingston Springs, has served as a Cheatham County Commissioner until 2010, Secretary of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1987 to 1995, and Executive Director of the Nashville Zoo. A long-time and influential Republican Party activist, Schippers has served as the Chair of the Cheatham County Republican Women and the Secretary of the Tennessee Republican Party.

Mrs. Schippers is universally regarded as a dedicated and talented public servant and is excited about Brad Staats’ campaign. “Brad exemplifies exactly what we need in a Congressman,” said Schippers, “an everyday small businessman, who wants to go to Washington to make sure his four kids see an even better future than he has.” “We are ecstatic to have such an extraordinary leader to head up our efforts in Cheatham County and honored to have her experience on our team”, said Staats. Campaign Manager, John Shorter, added that he “could not think of a better person to be the face of the campaign in Cheatham County.”

Ellendale’s is a family owned and operated restaurant serving Contemporary American Cuisine with Southern Charm in their own Historic Farmhouse and the campaign will be providing complimentary appetizers. Please RSVP as soon as you can. Guests are welcome. Come help us celebrate 60 days until Election Day (August 2nd)!

Suggested minimum contribution is $100 to help us make it through the Primary.