CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A push poll this week  attempted to tie Republican state Senate primary candidate Doug Englen to a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, prompting condemnation of the poll from Englen.

Primary races in Tennessee have grown increasingly heated in recent weeks, with candidates competing for endorsements and publicly criticizing one another. In the Tennessee Senate, District 22, primary, Englen has likened his campaign to a David and Goliath story against the incumbent Sen. Bill Powers.

And along the way, Englen has come under fire from an opponent whose identity isn’t clear.

What did the survey say?

The survey, administered by phone call and online via the website Survey Monkey, is being conducted by a group called “Public Opinion Research” and purports to be gauging opinions on the two candidates.

But after several questions, it gets to the “push” side of this push-polling tactic.

“Bill Powers’ opponent has received praise from Admiral McRaven, an anti-Trump former commander who said, ‘Our republic is under attack from the president,'” reads the question, asking the participants if knowing this would make them more likely to vote for Powers.

The now-retired Admiral William H. McRaven served as the commander of US Special Operations Command. In 2011, he oversaw Operation Neptune Spear, the Navy Seal operation that killed Osama bin Laden. And he has made national headlines for his criticism of President Donald Trump.

McRaven praised Englen in February 2020 while speaking at Murray State University. “Without a doubt, (Englen is) the finest Army aviator of our generation,” said McRaven, citing Englen’s two Silver Star awards, his three Distinguished Flying Crosses as well as his pending induction into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.

Candidates respond to push poll

A statement from Englen’s campaign called the question “disrespectful to all of our veterans and service members.”

“The unpatriotic nature of the remarks in support of one who never served a day in uniform is alarming,” the campaign said, referring to Powers.

Powers said he was unfamiliar with the survey.

When asked how McRaven’s political statements relate to his and Englen’s military service, Powers said they were separate matters.

“I will not now, or ever, be a part of anything that discredits our military. I think anyone who serves our country and protects the Constitution has the right to say or believe whatever they want. They’ve earned it,” Powers said.

Both candidates have made military matters a key element of their campaigns. In a recent interview with the Montgomery County Veterans’ Coalition, Powers stressed his position on the Senate Veteran’s Caucus and said he hopes to make Women’s Veterans Day an annual state holiday.

Englen has called for workforce reform for transitioning military, working with local industry to help transitioning soldiers to more effectively reenter the civilian workforce through training and apprenticeship programs.

Where do we go from here?

Despite the political tension, both Powers and Englen expressed the need for cooperation leading up to November.

“I’ve always run a positive campaign, and this one is no different,” Powers said. “I respect the process, my opponent and those who have the guts to offer themselves to public office.”

“We are not enemies, we are just opponents,” Englen said. “It’s just the environment we are into now.”

Election day for the U.S. Senate race is Aug. 6. Early voting concludes on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 4 p.m.

For more on the election, including sample ballots, go to https://mcgtn.org/election/current-election or call 931-648-5707.