PROTECTED CONTENT

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.

Lost your password?

Username and Password Help

Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.

← Back

Candidate Forum
Descends into Chaos

Photos by Shane Gilreath
Scott County’s Seth McMillan, a candidate for 38th District State Representative, looked on as Gubernatorial Candidate Charles Van Morgan lost his cool after pushback from an audience member at last week’s Candidate Forum held at Timber Rock Lodge.

Gubernatorial Candidate Charles Van Morgan Flips Out over Audience Challenge

By Shane Gilreath
SCN Contributing Editor
[email protected]

What began as a routine candidate forum Thursday evening at Timber Rock Lodge ended in one of the most dramatic political moments many attendees had ever witnessed, as Independent gubernatorial candidate Charles Van Morgan erupted in anger and threatened physical confrontation during a discussion over school vouchers and religion in Tennessee public schools.
The forum, which featured many local candidates and two candidates for Tennessee Governor – Morgan and Dave Seeman – had largely gone without incident until discussion turned to the Education Freedom Scholarship Act, commonly known as the school voucher program, a controversial issue that has become one of the state’s most divisive issues. Championed by Governor Bill Lee, the program allows qualifying students to use state education funds toward tuition at private schools. Supporters, which include State Senator Ken Yager, argue vouchers provide parents with greater choice when it comes to the education of their children, while opponents – which has included State Representative Kelly Keisling – contend that such choice diverts taxpayer dollars from already underfunded public schools.
Defending the voucher program, Morgan argued that government restrictions on religion in public schools justified expanding educational opportunities, arguing that Christianity had effectively been removed from public education. Morgan framed the issue as one of religious liberty and government overreach, an issue that many Tennessee voters have supported. In fact, a 2025 Beacon Poll found that 52% of Tennessee voters believe there isn’t enough religion in state schools.
Morgan’s assertions, however, drew a response from longtime Scott County educator Kathy Orbusanszki. Drawing on decades of experience, Orbusanszki politely challenged Morgan’s characterization of public schools, explaining that students already possess broad constitutional rights to practice faith while attending public school.
In fact, state law permits students to pray both individually and in groups, organize student-led religious clubs, discuss religion in classroom assignments, and gather for voluntary religious activities, provided participation is student initiated and schools neither promote nor inhibit religion – an assessment that Obrusanszki said she supported. Furthermore, state laws allow that religion, including Christianity, the faith claimed by 73% of Tennesseans, can be taught in an academic context as part of history, literature, or comparative religion courses, although public schools cannot endorse a particular faith.
Orbusanszki cited her own experience, explaining that she had helped establish student worship lunches at both Scott and Oneida High Schools. According to her, those gatherings have continued for decades, an assessment that was supported by a local student, Hailey Butler, who also addressed the forum. Butler supported Obrusanskzi’s appraisal of local schools, saying that opportunities are allotted to students to express their faith through multiple activities, including a once-a-week prayer meetings around the school’s flagpole.
Initially, Morgan appeared appreciative of Orbusanszki’s remarks, even coming into the audience to shake her hand, even as Obrusanskzi continued to speak.
“I want you to be more informed about public schools,” Orbusanszki told the candidate as part of their conversation.
Moments later, the atmosphere changed abruptly with Morgan turning on the teacher. Although Morgan later claimed on his YouTube channel that his freedom of speech had been threatened and that members of the audience became angry because he was “protecting children,” more than 50 attendees at the forum witnessed a different sequence of events.
Seeing Orbusanszki’s examples of local schools as a contradiction to his position, Morgan, who repeatedly called himself a “fighter” throughout the event, accused the educator of disrespecting him. Orbusanszki, in turn, rose again to apologize if her comments had caused offense, but rather than accept her apology, Morgan continued to raise his voice, calling the veteran educator “stupid” and suggesting she lacked education while boasting his own “stack of degrees this high.”
As the Knoxville native berated Obrusanszki, Jennifer Shockley, a candidate for Scott County Mayor, called out from the audience. “You’ve gone too far,” she told Morgan. Shockley’s warning did little to slow the escalating situation. Another audience member, Rick Murphy, who sat in the first rows, then confronted Morgan. “Shut up and sit down and quit insulting her,” Murphy told the man.
Rather than pacifying the situation, though, Morgan began moving toward Murphy, pointing repeatedly in his direction as the confrontation threatened to escalate beyond a verbal exchange. At that point, Kris Lewallen, a candidate for Scott County Sheriff, who serves as a narcotics agent in Fentress County, stepped forward in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Lewallen was joined by fellow candidates Roger Douglas and Jason Perry, each with law enforcement experience, who surrounded Morgan and maneuvered the candidate toward the exit.

During the exchange, Lewallen told Morgan he was bringing disrespect upon law enforcement – a profession Morgan himself once served in. “It’s my personality. I’m a fighter,” Morgan retorted. “If you don’t like it, vote for somebody else. Don’t ask me to come back.”
Morgan had previously served as a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper before being terminated in 2012 following an internal investigation into a fatal Knox County pursuit. State officials concluded Morgan drove past the scene of a crash in which the fleeing driver had struck a tree and died without stopping to render aid or investigate the collision. The Tennessee Civil Service Commission upheld his dismissal, and the Tennessee Court of Appeals later affirmed that decision, finding substantial evidence supported his termination for negligence and conduct unbecoming a state employee. Following his dismissal, Knox County prosecutors chose to drop charges in more than 100 pending criminal cases that had relied on Morgan’s testimony, determining his credibility had been badly compromised.
As Lewallen, Douglas, and Perry escorted Morgan from Timber Rock Lodge, the candidate continued addressing the audience.
“If anyone wants to vote for me,” he shouted, as he was being pushed through the door, “I’m still on the ballot.”
When a lone woman responded, “No, thanks,” Morgan answered that she represented only one vote before asking the woman whether she believed she mattered.
Outside the lodge, Morgan was met by officers with the Oneida Police Department. No arrest was made.

“It was a really tense moment for a minute or two,” Lewallen said. “But I am glad I could help keep the situation from escalating.”