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July 7, 2008
Reading the signs
On Saturday, July 5, I had the opportunity to breeze through a few parts of Tennessee not in my usual routine, and, as I always do during election season, I had an eye out for political signage.
I was surprised at how little there was, actually. The August 7 state and federal primaries are only a month away; early voting, at least here in Hamilton County, begins July 18. Are people going to know what's on the ballot?
Of course, districts with contested primaries are the only ones likely to garner any attention at this time, but I did drive through a couple of those. I saw one sign near an entrance ramp to I-24 in Rutherford County. It was for Jim Woodard, a Democrat running in the state Senate District 14 race. But where were the others? There are quite a few contenders in this one. (District 14 was formerly represented by Jerry Cooper. His interim replacement, Steve Roller, arguably hasn't been in office long enough to gain the incumbent advantage, so it's almost like an open seat.)
Out in Cheatham County, only one small sign appeared along Tennessee Highway 12 on the way to Ashland City. Tim Barnes, who is challenging Senator Rosalind Kurita in District 22, was featured on that one.
And that, my friends, is all I saw.
Now, I'm all for taking the clutter down a notch or two, and having less printed material lining the roadways. But I hope that the lack of signs doesn't foreshadow a low turnout in August. Let's all go vote. By the way, tomorrow is the registration deadline. Do your duty!
State Senate Elections | By joe lance | 8:15 AM
Comments
I think the reason you didn't see any other signs for the District 14 race is because Rutherford County isn't in the district. I'm originally from that district and knowing the people, Mr. Woodward probably had the [not so] bright idea to spend the time and money to drive all the way to the interstate (which depending on where he lives might take 1 or 1.5 hours) and put up that sign, just knowing that he'd get all the McMinnville-Murfreesboro commuters!
The people in that area are strange. (But that's not to say they aren't here either.)
Posted by: Adam at July 7, 2008 12:33 PM
I remember thinking that it was pretty far removed from where I thought the boundary was, but the gerrymandering can surprise a person. Thanks for clearing that up!
Posted by: joe lance at July 7, 2008 1:19 PM
Guys back in May I drove out of Pickwick into Mississippi and went down to Tupelo and I counted six Greg Davis signs compared to three Travis Childers signs. Thats not many when you consider I took the main route into Tupelo. Oh and btw Childers won so having more campaign signs doesnt really mean much. I still havent seen a Marsha sign anywhere. Leatherwood has a bunch up in Hardin,Wayne and McNairy. But she is on the radio blasting Leatherwood.
Posted by: dan t at July 8, 2008 4:46 PM
In regards to political signs: here in some parts of Clarksville, Rosalind Kurita signs are being stolen from the roadsides almost as soon as they are being put in. Is it the work of Tim Barnes people???????? How low can they go?
Posted by: Maya at October 18, 2008 3:06 PM