Abuse of power: Karma comes back to bite those who unjustly attacked Tennessee State University

In the history of Tennessee politics, few instances of injustice and abuse of power stand out as starkly as the recent targeting of Tennessee State University (TSU) by certain lawmakers. However, those responsible are now facing the consequences, and I believe this is just the beginning.

We must remember the concerted efforts of State Senator Jon Lundberg and State Representative John Ragan to oust the capable leadership at TSU, all while the university worked diligently to address concerns raised in a biased comptroller’s report. These lawmakers, along with some Republican allies, dismissed the idea that decades of chronic underfunding contributed to the challenges faced by the state’s only four-year public Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Karma has come back around for them. In the recent elections, both Lundberg and Ragan were voted out of office by their constituents in East Tennessee, many of whom support TSU. Lundberg, who co-sponsored a bill to dismantle TSU’s Board of Trustees, relentlessly attacked Dr. Glenda Glover, the university’s first female and alumna president. He led efforts to discredit her achievements, made derogatory comments about the Board of Trustees, and collaborated with his friend Jason Mumpower, the state comptroller, to undermine their work. Kudos to Dr. Glover, a skilled political strategist, for rallying voters in East Tennessee to unseat Lundberg.

The electorate sent a clear message: “Hit the road, Jack!”

Instead of supporting TSU and providing necessary resources, Lundberg, Ragan, and their allies conspired in secret to remove the university’s highly qualified Board of Trustees, who brought valuable corporate governance experience. Their vendetta against this prominent HBCU was shameful and unacceptable.

Other members of the Tennessee General Assembly who participated in the unjust treatment of TSU should take