Well, you knew it was going to happen, right?  When the TNGOP SEC announced their new rules, you just knew that there was going to be some confusion and angst.  And here we are.

The original intent was to keep “RINOs” (Republicans In Name Only) from running on the Republican ballot.  A worthy goal, no doubt.  However, many expressed concerns from the onset as to how that might work in actual application.

Each of the candidates qualified to be on the ballot, by virtue of the required signatures from citizens in their respective community.  Despite having met the Rutherford County Election Commission’s requirements, the final decision rests with Tennessee state Republican party, said Alan Farley, the administrator of elections.

The three could have been eligible to run as independents had they done so by the election commission’s Feb. 15 deadline.

You can read the complete details here:  Tennessean