Ron Newcomb and Constitutional Rights: Why the No For Newcomb Campaign Opposes His Appointment as District Attorney General
The appointment of Tennessee's next District Attorney General is one of the most important decisions Governor Bill Lee will make for the Fourth Judicial District, which serves Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier Counties.
The No For Newcomb Campaign urges Governor Lee to carefully examine publicly available records before making that appointment. According to the campaign, those records raise serious concerns about Ron Newcomb's conduct during grand jury proceedings and his fitness to serve as the chief prosecutor for the district.
The Campaign's Allegations
According to the No For Newcomb Campaign, on March 27, 2023, Ron Newcomb required witness Erik Cooper to waive constitutional rights before allowing him to present testimony and evidence to a Sevier County grand jury.
The campaign contends that this demand improperly conditioned access to the grand jury process and violated fundamental constitutional protections afforded to citizens.
The campaign argues that prosecutors should protect constitutional rights—not require citizens to surrender them.
Criminal Statutes Referenced by the Campaign
The No For Newcomb Campaign alleges that Ron Newcomb's conduct violated several provisions of Tennessee law. Specifically, the campaign cites:
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-507 – Coercion of a witness
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-503 – Tampering with evidence
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-402 – Official misconduct
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-403 – Official oppression
Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-16-510 – Retaliation against a witness
These are allegations made by the campaign regarding Newcomb's conduct and are presented as the basis for its opposition to his appointment.
Why the Campaign Believes This Matters
The No For Newcomb Campaign argues that the Office of the District Attorney General requires a person who demonstrates:
Integrity
Respect for constitutional rights
Professional judgment
Accountability
Fairness
Independence
Respect for the rule of law
According to the campaign, any allegations that a prosecutor improperly interfered with constitutional rights deserve careful public scrutiny before that individual is entrusted with leading an entire prosecutorial district.
The Appointment Process
Because former District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn announced his retirement before the end of his elected term—and after the election filing deadline—Governor Bill Lee will appoint the next District Attorney General to serve until voters have the opportunity to elect one in 2028.
The No For Newcomb Campaign encourages citizens to review publicly available court records, legal filings, and judicial proceedings before the appointment is made.
Make Your Voice Heard
If you believe the appointment of Tennessee's next District Attorney General is important, you are encouraged to contact Governor Bill Lee and share your opinion before a final decision is announced.
Governor Bill Lee
Phone: (615) 741-2001
Share Your Opinion Online:
Stay Informed
Visit https://nofornewcomb.com for campaign updates, publicly available court records, legal filings, timelines, and information regarding the appointment process.
Follow No For Newcomb for continuing updates about Tennessee's Fourth Judicial District and the appointment of its next District Attorney General.
Paid for and approved by the No For Newcomb Campaign.
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