I would think (1) it was a display of power and entrenched privilege. Putting down uppity people. (2) they thought the courts would uphold or the constitutional issues would be deflected by a conservative court at some level. To me, it’s a free speech vs decorum issue and the latter isn’t anywhere near as significant. (3) they were playing to their voter base to avoid being attacked from the right in the primary election.
It’s also possible it was entirely done to prove their right wing bonafides, knowing full well somebody would toss it. They’d call that liberal intrusion and so get more right wing support. It’s as if they’re not concerned about the general election which might be a safe bet in Tennessee.
That seems to be a problem in the US right now. more and more states are red or blue. by letting the states gerrymander safe districts and lopsided state legislators we get an extremist problem.
It’s also possible it was entirely done to prove their right wing bonafides, knowing full well somebody would toss it. They’d call that liberal intrusion and so get more right wing support. It’s as if they’re not concerned about the general election which might be a safe bet in Tennessee.