Michigan Democrat Senate candidate Abul El-Sayed’s town hall event in Caro, Michigan , on Saturday (October 7 ) was interrupted by an individual who identified himself as only “Tommy.”
Political strategist and independent journalist Marisa Kabas alleged in her The Handbasket newsletter that the real name of Tommy is Thomas Teepell, and he is a long-time GOP associate. Kabas then suggests in the newsletter that the confrontation at the town hall could have been provoked by a conservative political action committee (PAC), America First Policy Institute (AFPI). Bobby Jindal serves as the Chair of the Center for a Healthy America at AFPI.
Timmy Tippell worked for Louisiana former congressman and governor, Bobby Jindal, between 2004 and 2011. It cites a news article from the Michigan Daily, the newspaper of University of Michigan, which stated that the PAC reportedly offered College Republicans $200 to boo Abdul El-Sayed at the townhall in Flint.
Naturally, the viral video sparked interest in the identity of “Tommy,” who called himself a “devout Christian. And nearly 24 hours after the incident, details are emerging on “Tommy” and his alleged links to the Republican Party. Teepell, a Detroit resident, is the son of Timmy Tippel, a GOP strategist, according to Kabas.
El-Sayed responded from the stage, questioning him about the intentions behind the questions.
“Why are you asking the question?” he said. “What are you implying?”
