![[Valid RSS]](/images/valid-rss.png "Validate my RSS feed")
« Tuke hitches wagon to a star | Home | Early voting hours extended »
October 21, 2008
The Tennessee State Senate: A chamber in the balance
The election is two weeks away, and it's time to get our thoughts together about what really could happen in 2009 as a result of our actions on November 4.
This is the year for even-numbered seats in the state Senate, so here are some notes about all sixteen races. Note: many thanks are due this year to KnoxViews/TennViews blogger Randy Neal, who has listed all of the candidates in a handy database. You'll also forgive me (please) for not including links in the commentary below.
District 2: incumbent Senator, Speaker, and Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey (R) against Democratic challenger Bill Jones. Nothing to see here; on to the next one.
District 4: incumbent Senator Mike Williams, the Legislature's only independent, against Republican challenger and Church Hill attorney Mike Faulk. At one point it seemed that Williams was destined for defeat, but a scandal involving Faulk and a married GOP official, plus heavy support by state Democrats of the once-Republican Williams, may have turned the tide. We'll have to see. Your thoughts are welcome in the comments below.
District 6: incumbent Senator Jamie Woodson (R) against Democratic challenger Gary Farmer. I'd say it's a safe reelection.
District 8: Republican primary winner and current House member Doug Overbey against independent Ira Lapides. This is a shoo-in for Overbey, who challenged a member of his own party, current Sen. Raymond Finney, and won. It was over in August.
District 10: incumbent (since 2007) Senator Andy Berke (D) against Republican challenger Oscar Brown. I was at a candidate forum last month where each of these men spoke. (This is my district.) I give this one to Berke in a landslide.
District 12: open seat, created by Sen. Tommy Kilby's retirement. Becky Ruppe (D), Ken Yager (R) and Christopher Fenner (I) are the candidates. This district dips all the way down to include Rhea County, where Yager's signage dominates. I haven't been to other parts of the district, though. Both major parties are putting a lot into this one, and many endorsements have hit the news. Even though the seat was held by a pretty powerful Democrat, the rural nature of the district gives Republicans hope for a pick-up.
District 14: legal troubles caused the departure of Jerry Cooper, and an interim senator was installed by appointment; but he lost in the August Democratic primary to Eric Stewart. A lively Republican primary produced Mike Niederhauser. This essentially open seat will probably stay in the Democrats' column.
District 16: incumbent Senator Jim Tracy (R) against Democratic challenger Jean Anne Rogers. I really don't know what will happen here. Insight from Rutherford and other included counties is most welcome.
That's half: to be continued....
State Senate Elections | By joe lance | 9:04 PM
Comments
Joe,
Just a couple of thoughts.
District 12: Republican Ken Yager was County Executive for 24 years in Roane County, the largest county in the district. Becky Ruppe has served for 4 years as Morgan County Executive. Morgan County is the smallest county in the district. Current polls show McCain leading Obama in this district by 2:1. Advantage: Yager.
District 16: Incumbent Jim Tracy (R) has an enormous financial advantage. He's well liked, and has not make any notable mistakes in his first term in the State Senate. Probably a safe re-elect.
(Yes, I'm biased. But I try to present objective information.)
I look forward to your next post.
Oscar
Posted by: Oscar Brock at October 25, 2008 2:34 PM