Tenn. candidate says Murfreesboro mosque part of movement to fracture state’s moral foundation

Tenn. candidate denounces mosque proposal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A Tennessee Republican candidate for Congress says plans to build a mosque in a Nashville suburb pose a threat to her state’s moral and political foundation.

In a Thursday evening statement, 6th District candidate Lou Ann Zelenik said she stands with those who oppose building what she calls “an Islamic training center.” She says it is part of a political movement “designed to fracture the moral and political foundation of Middle Tennessee.”

An overflow crowd packed a meeting last week to speak against the planned mosque in Murfreesboro.

A Zelenik spokesman said she was not available for comment Thursday night. Zelenik, who calls herself a leader in the Middle Tennessee tea party movement, hopes to replace U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, a Democrat.