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October 26, 2009
Do We Need County Primaries?
Officials in Putnam County, Tennessee are looking into that question, according to a report by Nashville station WSMV. Not surprisingly, the local Democratic and Republican parties are saying "not so fast." Naturally, they seem...Posted by joe lance on 10:10 PM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2009
How Not to Recruit Candidates for Critical Elections
Maybe it's just me, and I'm not a political strategist by any stretch (in fact, I adopt a wary stance at the whole profession), but this: When [Curt Cobb] told me he was stepping...Posted by joe lance on 6:50 AM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2009
Senate District 31: Candidate Field Narrows to Pointless Primary
Tom Humphrey notes that two less well-known candidates have withdrawn from the state Senate District 31 primary elections. Republican Brian Kelsey and Democrat Adrienne Pakis-Gillon have effectively won their respective party nominations in the...Posted by joe lance on 6:31 AM | Comments (1)
August 24, 2009
Ballot Order Could Change. Would That Mean Anything?
Sadly, yes. And here I had always assumed it was determined purely by the alphabet. Tom Humphrey: With Republicans now in control of Tennessee's election apparatus, GOP candidates could be listed first on Tennessee...Posted by joe lance on 7:38 AM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2009
House 62: Chris Brown Is Constitution Party Candidate
For all we voters know, an "Independent" candidate in Tennessee could be a left-wing Green Party member, a right-wing Constitution Party member, a Libertarian, or a truly unaffiliated moderate. The Volunteer State has many...Posted by joe lance on 5:39 PM | Comments (2)
August 9, 2009
2008 GOP Victory Foils 'Convenience Voting' P(i)lot
As David Oatney tells it, the Knox County Election Commission—which as of this year comprises three Republicans and two Democrats, rather than the other way round—saved the Republican Party from certain ruin when it...Posted by joe lance on 9:41 PM | Comments (2)
August 5, 2009
2009 Special Election Dates Set in Shelbyville and Shelby County
Shelbyville, Fayetteville, Eagleville A special election will be held in Tennessee House of Representatives District 62, which includes Bedford County and parts of Lincoln and Rutherford Counties, to replace Rep. Curt Cobb, who resigned...Posted by joe lance on 12:13 PM | Comments (1)
July 13, 2009
Voting Machines Are Neither Democrats Nor Republicans
It is a real shame when something as fundamental to our system of government as the act of voting becomes the focus of a partisan fight. Then again, debate is just as fundamental to...Posted by joe lance on 7:45 AM | Comments (0)
June 11, 2009
Consumerism Comes to the Voting Booth
Hamilton County election officials hope that state lawmakers will expand "convenience voting" statewide, according to a report by Matt Wilson in Thursday's Chattanooga Times Free Press. Knox County was given an opportunity last year...Posted by joe lance on 9:53 AM | Comments (0)
May 27, 2009
Tennessee Elections Nearly Out of Commission
The Tennessee House of Representatives signaled agreement today on a bill that will add two members to the Tennessee Election Commission, and thus avoided allowing the commission to expire out of existence. From Tom...Posted by joe lance on 10:10 PM | Comments (1)
May 19, 2009
Brock: 2010 "most important election year for Tennessee Republicans ever"
In a letter to his fellow Executive Committee members on Saturday, Oscar Brock, now a candidate for Tennessee Republican Party chair, highlighted the prized redistricting pen as a key goal he seeks to help...Posted by joe lance on 11:28 PM | Comments (0)
May 6, 2009
With Maine passage, ten percent of states allow same-sex marriages
Maine Governor John Baldacci has just signed into law a bill passed by the Legislature this week that makes same-sex marriage legal. In so doing, Maine becomes the fifth state to grant marriage licenses...Posted by joe lance on 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2008
A message for campaigns, candidates, and voters
Dear candidates, supporters, and staff, Please do the public a favor and, after early voting closes on Thursday evening, October 30, remove your signs from in front of the early voting locations -- in...Posted by joe lance on 6:49 PM | Comments (0)
A guide to Chattanooga area elections
It continues to be quieter here than I'd want, but part of the reason is that I've expended some of my keystrokes over at Chattarati for a bit. Thanks for reading....Posted by joe lance on 11:09 AM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2008
The socialist candidate for President
Here's a hint: it's not Barack Obama. I was going over the sample ballot provided by the Hamilton County Election Commission a few days before I voted, and I noticed a name I truly...Posted by joe lance on 10:53 PM | Comments (0)
Early voting hours extended
Two of Hamilton County's early voting sites are opening an hour earlier from Saturday through the close of early voting on Thursday, October 30, says Chattanoogan.com. (HT: HamDems) I am very encouraged by this...Posted by joe lance on 10:17 PM | Comments (0)
October 5, 2008
This week in Tennessee politics
Here's a short list of events, notable and otherwise, for voters in the Volunteer state this week to peruse: Voter Registration Deadline Do not miss this; and don't let any of your friends miss...Posted by joe lance on 9:44 PM | Comments (1)
September 30, 2008
Have you helped anyone register to vote?
Today, believe it or not, is the last day of September. And in Tennessee, the voter registration deadline for the November 4 election is Monday, October 6. In addition to doing your part as...Posted by joe lance on 6:54 AM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2008
Cross-dressing at the polling place
There's been a lot of talk lately in the state blogosphere about so-called "crossover voting." Here's why: U.S. Rep. David Davis, of Tennessee's 1st Congressional District, narrowly lost last Thursday to former Johnson City...Posted by joe lance on 11:22 PM | Comments (1)
August 9, 2008
Weekend links
We had an election, now what? R. Neal at TennViews has updated the site's database of legislative and congressional candidates now that the primaries are over. He also linked to a good analytical column...Posted by joe lance on 8:26 PM | Comments (0)
August 6, 2008
Some hyperlocal voting location notes
The Brainerd precinct has moved from the Brainerd Rec Center on North Moore to the Brainerd Crossroads (aka Brainerd Baptist Annex, aka the BX) just off Belvoir Ave near North Terrace. Also, the Eastgate...Posted by joe lance on 10:26 PM | Comments (0)
Vote with all your might, and bring a friend
I was at the Election Commission on Wednesday, picking up a stack of maps to hand hapless voters who might show up at the Brainerd early voting location, and the place sure was busy....Posted by joe lance on 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2008
Looking for a local election guide?
I have started a voter guide series over at Chattarati. So far, I have outlined the choices for the following offices: Hamilton County Board of Education Hamilton County Assessor of Property I'll keep adding...Posted by joe lance on 10:00 AM | Comments (0)
June 22, 2008
Voting and privacy in Tennessee
I have begun some research into whether or not any laws could have been broken if my hunch were to be correct: that is, if former Chattanooga City Council member Marti Rutherford used voter...Posted by joe lance on 10:46 AM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2008
If only all those online friends will vote
Politico's Ben Adler provides a detailed look at the marked contrast between the online operations of presidential candidates and U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. The enormous difference makes it tempting to get...Posted by joe lance on 11:13 PM | Comments (2)
May 11, 2008
Registration drive nets scores of new voters
Staffers and volunteers gathered on Patten Parkway in downtown Chattanooga Saturday for the kickoff to "Vote for Change," a national voter registration effort sponsored by the Barack Obama campaign. Organizers say some 55 volunteers...Posted by joe lance on 3:05 PM | Comments (0)
February 29, 2008
Candidates bringing food to poll workers is a bad idea
People, we're trying to lessen the effects of corruption and undue influence in the election process, not open more opportunities for questions and grey areas. I have to agree with Ben Cunningham, Rep. Frank...Posted by joe lance on 7:35 PM
February 22, 2008
Dear TennesseeTicket, when is the next election, and on what are we voting?
I'm so glad you asked. The next election for us here in Hamilton County will be held on August 7, 2008, and will involve major party primaries and a county general election....Posted by joe lance on 9:41 PM
February 6, 2008
The day after Super is doomed to being…less than Super
I try not to get too excited about things, even when I'm having a great time. Soon enough, it will be over, and then a wave of dejectedness at the mundane washes over me...Posted by joe lance on 11:34 AM
February 5, 2008
The polls are open
Get thee to them, and cast....Posted by joe lance on 8:00 AM
January 24, 2008
Third-party lawsuit filed on Wednesday
Here's the latest on a legal case that will challenge Tennessee's strict ballot access laws. Stay tuned for updates as the case progresses. UPDATE I, from Ballot Access News: On January 23, Libertarian Party...Posted by joe lance on 2:33 PM
January 15, 2008
DO NOT vote early
Well, do what you want, actually. And believe me, if it comes down to voting early or not voting at all, then by all means, vote early. But if you can hold it, wait...Posted by joe lance on 9:15 PM
January 10, 2008
How stupid are voters?
Seen at Ballot Access News: I'll bet that Clinton got at least 3 percent more votes than Obama simply because she was listed close to the top [of the ballot]. -- JON A. KROSNICK,...Posted by joe lance on 9:24 PM
January 1, 2008
Register to vote by Monday, January 7
Another important date coming up very soon is the deadline to have your voter registration complete in order to participate in the February 5 election. You must be registered by Monday, January 7, 2008....Posted by joe lance on 11:17 AM
Friday is primary petition pick-up day for TN Legislature and US Congress
If you or someone you know plans to be a major-party candidate in Hamilton County for the Tennessee House of Representatives (Districts 26-31), the Tennessee Senate (District 10), the U.S. House of Representatives (District...Posted by joe lance on 10:53 AM
December 19, 2007
Tennessee third parties, rise up this Friday (updated again)
Ballot access is such a sexy topic, isn't it? (Don't answer that.) According to a report filed last week by Ballot Access News, a much-delayed lawsuit may finally be filed on Friday, December 21,...Posted by joe lance on 8:53 PM
November 16, 2007
Who is setting the expectations?
The Chattanooga Times Free Press has a story out today with a curious headline: "Turnout for District 10 race higher than expected." Higher than expected? Turnout was at about 17%. Now, before you start...Posted by joe lance on 6:08 PM
November 15, 2007
Kimball voters, go to Jasper
Due to last night's tornado (which I "watched" on my computer screen in the form of severe-weather radar, and thus knew Kimball was in trouble before the TV said so), the polling place for...Posted by joe lance on 10:54 AM
October 16, 2007
California governor "terminates" IRV
From Ballot Access News: On October 14, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed AB 1294, the bill to let all cities and counties use Instant-Runoff Voting for elections for their own officers. Meanwhile: On October...Posted by joe lance on 9:36 PM
October 4, 2007
Report from the Brainerd precinct
Turnout was sad today, at least in our precinct. The poll workers described themselves as "bored." They were glad to see us come in. I was glad to see a family from our neighborhood...Posted by joe lance on 7:18 PM
October 3, 2007
October 4 is election day
In Senate District 10, which comprises parts of Hamilton County and all of Marion County, the primary election in the race to replace former Sen. Ward Crutchfield is taking place. All polling places in...Posted by joe lance on 2:31 PM
September 22, 2007
I'm here to help with your weekend reading
If you're not out enjoying the warm but sunny weather — which I insist that you do, but you know how you like to defy me — here are a couple of things to...Posted by joe lance on 11:59 AM
September 1, 2007
Maybe I could have run against Chris Clem in '02 after all
Bud and Charlotte (Knowles and Mullis; Hamilton County Election Commission Administrator and Deputy Administrator, respectively), said this week that they will not verify a candidate's stated address as given on a nominating petition. While...Posted by joe lance on 9:59 AM
August 30, 2007
Let's Have the Candidates for Lunch
Public notice to all Senate District 10 special election candidates: As you may have seen, I recently published some observations stemming from a conversation with GOP candidate Oscar Brock, who is running in the...Posted by joe lance on 12:53 PM
August 21, 2007
A Lot of Us Do It; We Just Don't Do It A Lot
Richard Winger points out a book about — well, and called; I love it when they make it easy — Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures 1796-2006, and shares this: The book shows that...Posted by joe lance on 10:38 PM
July 24, 2007
Connecting the Dot: Election Commissioners Are Way Too Politically Entwined
One way in which the Tennessee Democratic Party has managed to retain majority status* in the General Assembly for eons surely has to be through control of some 95 county election commissions. Tennessee law...Posted by joe lance on 8:20 AM
July 10, 2007
More Election News Than There Is Time to Write
I have been collecting 2008-related posts in my feedreader (Bloglines' "clippings" pane is pretty good for that) for some time now, just as I came across them. Tonight I peeked inside that folder, and...Posted by joe lance on 10:13 PM
June 27, 2007
Election Season Nears
It's hard to believe, I know. Not only are the wires burning with presidential election news, but candidates are lining up by the dozen to prepare for the races for the Tennessee General Assembly...Posted by joe lance on 11:37 PM
June 20, 2007
Project Blog Smart
Uncle says that Project Vote Smart — the very outfit responsible for helping me realize that I'm neither a Republican nor a Democrat, back in 1999 or so — has a blog. TennesseeTicket is...Posted by joe lance on 9:31 PM
May 23, 2007
Let's Vote for Attorney General, but Skip the Comptroller
There is sort of big election news in Tennessee this week. Though there are quite a few hurdles yet to leap, a bill that would set things in motion for the popular election of...Posted by joe lance on 7:07 PM
April 20, 2007
Fred Bumper Sticker
A small, square sticker on the window of a car parked at a local private high school tonight caught my eye. It read, RUN FRED RUN There's a rally next weekend. Will you be...Posted by joe lance on 11:11 PM
April 3, 2007
Weighing Your Vote
Consider the following: "A presidential vote cast in Wyoming [...] has nearly four times the value of a vote in California." (TX: KV) The debate over the Electoral College's relevance is back, and it...Posted by joe lance on 6:49 PM
March 4, 2007
Who Will Run for Mayor in 2009?
Recently I spoke with someone close to 2005 mayoral candidate Ann Coulter (the nice one, not the one who calls people names), and, even though I already knew the answer, I had to ask...Posted by joe lance on 8:08 PM
February 28, 2007
Critical Perspective on the Race for President
"Just to keep some perspective, Bill Clinton didn't enter the presidential race until October of '91 -- just 3 months before the New Hampshire primary." -- Jay Bush Wow. I did not remember that....Posted by joe lance on 9:59 PM
February 26, 2007
Mayors Ramsey and Littlefield, Listen to This
Eine Kleine: You constantly hear about Mayors trying to make that "big deal." Landing a Nissan, building a convention center or a stadium. Now, all those things may be great. They may spark and...Posted by joe lance on 10:39 PM
January 22, 2007
I Have an Announcement to Make
I know I'm a day late and a few tens of millions of dollars short, but I would like to announce that, unlike the rest of the nation, I am not seeking the office...Posted by joe lance on 10:39 PM
January 13, 2007
Who Hearts Huckabee? Vote in a straw poll here
A pair of bloggers talking something over can sometimes resemble a pair of speakers -- in order to hear in stereo, one must listen pretty much simultaneously to the Left and the Right. Sharon...Posted by joe lance on 1:45 PM
November 10, 2006
Voting for Crooks
It's just amazing that the attention goes to the small-time stuff. I mean, driving on a revoked license and passing some bad checks is wrong (unless you're all Badnarik about driver licenses to begin...Posted by joe lance on 10:57 AM
November 7, 2006
Where to Start?
Driving home from practice, I heard the ClearChannel (I know..) announcements of the results thus far: Richard Floyd in District 27 Tommie Brown in District 28 Jim Cobb in District 31 Amendments 1 and...Posted by joe lance on 11:12 PM
Lines Out the Door
My polling place, the Brainerd Rec Center, wasn't too crowded at lunchtime, but there was more traffic in and out than I typically see on local and/or primary elections. However, a poll worker that...Posted by joe lance on 1:20 PM
I'm Going to Vote Now
Please review the candidate and referendum options, and make your choice today, if you haven't done so. Never mind the rain, or your weariness with this particularly draining campaign season. The guilt trip I...Posted by joe lance on 11:00 AM
November 6, 2006
Amendment 2: Pros and Cons
I haven't written much on the second statewide referendum we'll decide tomorrow, and, well, it's now or never. Amendment 2 isn't sexy like "gay marriage" and "traditional family values." It's about property tax assessments...Posted by joe lance on 9:17 PM
November 4, 2006
Explain to me why I live here again..
Or, quote of the day: [I]n the South, pushy goofball jock-type beats quirky intellectual-type pretty much every time. --the always astute Roger Abramson...Posted by joe lance on 12:03 AM
October 30, 2006
Like Robins In Spring
The postal carrier has been bringing all kinds of election-related mail addressed to previous residents, so I get a peek at what a different household receives. Or would receive, if it weren't sent here...Posted by joe lance on 10:27 PM
October 18, 2006
Sniffing Our Way Through the Ballot Bouquet
Don’t abstain. You have choices, some better smelling than others If you’re sick and tired of the two frontrunners for the United States Senate race in Tennessee, but at the same time are at...Posted by joe lance on 1:34 PM
October 17, 2006
Chattanoogans, Help Me with a Referendum
As you'll see in tomorrow's Pulse, I couldn't make a recommendation on the proposed ordinance about replacement board appointments. Oh, and by the way: Chattanoogans, you'll have three ordinances to vote in or out...Posted by joe lance on 10:17 PM
October 7, 2006
Register before Noon!
This is it. Register to vote or have not a say in matters. It doesn't matter that you've never done it before, or not for a while. You can start (again) anytime. It only...Posted by joe lance on 9:06 AM
October 6, 2006
People Not From Here Wouldn't Understand
Oh, there's a big fuss about people who appear in a Corker ad about his Chattanooga mayoral tenure not actually being from Chattanooga. You'd think that they were from (gasp) Hollywood, for all the...Posted by joe lance on 12:24 PM
October 2, 2006
Vote NO on 1, ?? on 2
What are the reasons for and against voting in favor of the second constitutional referendum, which would freeze property taxes on seniors? I'm undecided, but only because I don't feel that I've thought through...Posted by joe lance on 10:43 PM
September 5, 2006
Vote NO on 1
This November, Tennesseans will be asked to vote on amending our Constitution to define marriage as being between "one man and one woman." For several reasons, I am adamantly against adoption of this amendment,...Posted by joe lance on 12:22 PM
August 9, 2006
(N)PAT Answers
Michael Silence notes that Project Vote Smart (a few lucky souls who get to live in beautiful Montana and collate information for, yes, smart voting) is alarmed by the number of politicians who refuse...Posted by joe lance on 11:38 PM
August 4, 2006
It was a great practice
I didn't hear the news when y'all did. I didn't make any victory/concession parties. I think I had just what I needed, which was working hard through song forms, arrangements, intros and all the...Posted by joe lance on 12:31 AM
August 2, 2006
24 hours from now we'll know
TennesseeTicket.com is seeing its biggest traffic day ever. (The previous record was set on the day of the Operation Tennessee Waltz arrests last year.) The obvious reason for hits is the number of searches...Posted by joe lance on 10:18 PM
July 31, 2006
Taking Voters for a Ride
Friday's special session of the Hamilton County Election Commission was too much fun for eight o'clock in the morning. I went to witness the Commissioners act on the curbside recycling petition (it was unanimously...Posted by joe lance on 10:28 PM
July 26, 2006
For Your Voting Consideration - The Civic Forum endorsements
There’s no need for a long introduction here—let’s just get right to the point. Each elected office* that will appear on ballots in at least one precinct in Hamilton County on August 3 is...Posted by joe lance on 7:34 AM
July 25, 2006
Judicial-Retentive
You may or may not agree with the recommendations, but for a nice, simple, graphic depiction of the twenty-seven 8x10 color glossy judicial retention questions (come to think of it, a paragraph on the...Posted by joe lance on 3:01 PM
July 22, 2006
Recycled Petition Approved - Election Commission Meets Friday
The effort to let voters decide on whether Chattanooga should keep, or scrap, its curbside recycling program seems to be gaining in public awareness. The Hamilton County Election Commission has called a special meeting...Posted by joe lance on 12:10 PM
July 14, 2006
Rock 'n' Roll Candidates
'Tis a useless, silly exercise, I know; but I think it's fun to identify persons running for public office who share names with famous musicians and other celebrities. (Last year, Chattanooga bemused the world...Posted by joe lance on 12:06 PM
July 12, 2006
That Idea Looks Good On Paper
The Help America Vote Act, or HAVA in bureaucratese, came about as a typically well-intentioned but probably off-center reaction to the whole "hanging chad" and "butterfly ballot" episode in 2000. Part of its "Help"...Posted by joe lance on 10:05 PM
July 11, 2006
Piping Hot Endorsements
Adam Groves rounds them up into a nice little paragraph in today's Dose. The Coalition of Conservative Republicans' list was kindly posted by John Farmer, even though his rival in the US House 8th...Posted by joe lance on 12:46 PM
July 6, 2006
A Supreme Appeal for Judicial Wisdom
Have y'all looked at the sample ballot yet? I suggest you do so at your earliest opportunity, because it's big. It's bigger than big. It has a lot of offices on it. In large...Posted by joe lance on 3:08 PM
June 30, 2006
Candidate Forums and Debates I've Missed
I hope people caught the GOP primary debate for the US Senate race on the telly or on the web. I didn't. (I was wearing out my face practicing all the John Williams pieces...Posted by joe lance on 1:35 PM
June 28, 2006
Register to vote this week, or I'll tell your momma
While the likelihood is low that readers of TennesseeTicket.com aren't already active voters, it's nonetheless imperative that as many people are registered for the 2006 elections as possible. This includes being ready to participate...Posted by joe lance on 10:28 PM
May 16, 2006
I Smell A Rat!
"The rat urinated over a majority of the modems. I'm afraid a couple of them were destroyed." [...] An exterminator was called in the office at Fourth and Georgia Avenue to put down some...Posted by joe lance on 1:12 PM
May 3, 2006
Advancing to the next round
Last night's post only contained the winners who will face no further opposition in the August 3 County General election. Here are the contested races we all anticipate: County Commission, Districts 2, 4, 5,...Posted by joe lance on 11:06 AM
May 2, 2006
Chattanooga City and Hamilton County Election Winners
[UPDATE: There is information on primary election winners in Hamilton County who still face a general election opponent here.] Quite a few seats in Hamilton County were de facto filled today, due to the...Posted by joe lance on 9:55 PM
May 1, 2006
You'd Better Go Vote Tomorrow
I hate to sound bullying, but I'm availing myself of every option. I have a busy week this week, but I will be able to fit in a trip to my polling place. You...Posted by joe lance on 1:21 PM
April 24, 2006
Getting our Houses (and Senates) in order
Thanks to the reminder from candidate John Farmer, I've been checking in with the latest unofficial candidate lists published by the Tennessee Secretary of State. (An honest question is, "why not just link to...Posted by joe lance on 4:03 PM
April 21, 2006
Hallie Unusual Behavior
Let's all get together, hold hands, and hope that none of us ever has to appear before a General Sessions Judge in Hamilton County. Or, at the very least, that none of us will...Posted by joe lance on 10:11 PM
TN Green candidates on Ballot Access News
The title just about says it all, and here's the link. In addition to Chris Lugo, candidate for US Senate, and Howard Switzer, candidate for Tennessee Governor, here are some other Greens on the...Posted by joe lance on 4:20 PM
April 15, 2006
Going through withdrawals
A wave of candidates turned in qualifying petitions last week, and like most waves, it receded. The "try harder next time" prize goes to some who failed to procure enough valid signatures. Others saw...Posted by joe lance on 11:54 AM
April 12, 2006
The Ticket: Hamilton County, May 2006
At thirty sixty-four minutes into early voting, it's time to start making endorsements. Y'all know that on the Ballot Preview pages I try to list the candidates fairly and without bias; but here on...Posted by joe lance on 9:04 AM
April 11, 2006
Fowlkes Out
I received one report, but haven't yet noticed it echoed elsewhere, that Rep. Joe Fowlkes (D-Pulaski) is stepping down. "He said he was tired of raising money," says an anonymous source. The e-mail also...Posted by joe lance on 11:00 PM
Local Campaign Finance
If you're interested in following the money in Hamilton County elections, the Chattanoogan has the rundown....Posted by joe lance on 11:47 AM
April 6, 2006
House of Blue..or Red: How Will the Battle Go?
In a rather loosely coordinated maneuver, I have unveiled the newest look for the TN House of Representatives Ballot Preview page (now called Battle for the General Assembly 2006 - House of Representatives), and...Posted by joe lance on 2:01 PM
Cool Runnings
Jim Bryson for Governor? That's old news. How about Jim Boyd for Governor? Boyd, who is also running for the State House seat in District 58 (incumbent: Mary Pruitt), sent a press release to...Posted by joe lance on 1:48 PM
April 5, 2006
Poll Qualifying
April 6, at noon, is the deadline for completed petitions for most offices in the 2006 elections (county elections for partisan seats had their cutoff in February). As updates are published across the state,...Posted by joe lance on 11:44 PM
Help a TennesseeTicket Reader in Davidson County
I'm hoping that the good, civic-minded folks in Nashville will help get me some info about the candidates for the District 59 seat that's currently held by Sherry Jones. A reader e-mailed me to...Posted by joe lance on 2:16 PM
March 29, 2006
Kerry On, My Wayward Son
From an e-mail blast: Dear Joe, If you have ever wanted to send a message to Bill Frist that you are tired of his failed leadership in Washington and his refusal to stand up...Posted by joe lance on 10:35 PM
March 24, 2006
UPDATED There's No Place Like St. Elmo
A County Commission race just got more interesting. (Come on, aren't you with me on the fact that they're all already riveting, except for District 9?) Chattanooga attorney and former Hamilton County Democratic Party...Posted by joe lance on 9:17 PM
March 20, 2006
Bo Knows District 11
The announcement came today; now folks in Rhea are scrambling. I wonder if former Rep. Jim Vincent would consider going back to his old district? The papers all questioned aloud whether he'd be among...Posted by joe lance on 9:57 PM
March 15, 2006
Election Digest
Someday I'll overcome current resource constraints and just create RSS feeds for every candidate listing page. Then you'd subscribe to as many as you'd like, and get updates as I'd make them. Then you'd...Posted by joe lance on 10:35 PM
March 10, 2006
IRV and NOTA: Give Me Choices, Dangit
It's an election year, so inevitably there is some buzz and activity around two of my favorite electoral topics: Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) and a None of the Above (NOTA) ballot option. I doubt...Posted by joe lance on 12:39 AM
March 8, 2006
Hart Attack
Michael Silence strolled by and picked up newscoma's post on radical racist James Hart's candidacy in the 8th Congressional district. According to the linked AP story, the state GOP is actively attempting to de-list...Posted by joe lance on 1:12 PM
March 7, 2006
Now That's A Complement
I just learned (from Vorticity) of a site that somewhat parallels this one. There are a few differences, though. Go check out "Your 2006 Election Roadmap" at http://www.votecoffee.com/ and compare for yourself. I like...Posted by joe lance on 4:51 PM
March 2, 2006
Local LP Candidate Seeks Green Endorsement
Joe Dumas, one of County Commissioner Richard Casavant's 2006 challengers (District 2), is looking for a helping hand from voters and activists who might at times be considered his ideological opposites. In an e-mail...Posted by joe lance on 3:49 PM
February 28, 2006
Tuesday Mailbag
Candidate news from the Inbox: US Rep. Zach Wamp may draw another challenger. Bob Smith is looking at a run for Congress in the US House 3rd District. Chris Lugo is a possible addition...Posted by joe lance on 11:20 PM
I Missed the Qualifying Deadline!!
Relax. I wasn't planning on running for a Hamilton County office. I wrote the title assuming the voice of would-have-been candidate Shirley Deakins, Independent, who planned to run for County Mayor. According to Ian...Posted by joe lance on 4:27 PM
VOLuntarily Declinatory
This just in, from blogger Rob Huddleston: Rob Huddleston, a Knoxville-based attorney who has been contemplating running for Congress in the 1st District of Tennessee, has decided that he will not run for the...Posted by joe lance on 2:19 PM
February 27, 2006
Appointments Should Not Usurp Electoral Power
Our good local government reporters at the daily paper, Ian Berry and Herman Wang, wrote several articles for its Sunday edition that deal with how recent vacancies will be filled. The primary article contrasts...Posted by joe lance on 2:57 PM
Sheriff Candidates Speak Tomorrow
There are to be two opportunities on Tuesday, February 28, to hear candidates for Hamilton County Sheriff speak their minds. The first is presented by Talk 102.3 FM at 10:00 AM EST. The number...Posted by joe lance on 2:10 PM
February 24, 2006
Recent Ballot Preview Updates
Here are some changes that I've recently made on the site's supplemental pages: Chattanooga: Listed the four candidates who qualified for the May 2 special election to replace former Council member Yusuf Hakeem. Hamilton...Posted by joe lance on 12:35 PM
February 23, 2006
Democrats' Darling: Nikki?
CQPolitics.com ran a post Tuesday on the congressional race that will decide U.S. Rep. Harold Ford, Jr.'s successor. The gist is that good early fundraising and an EMILY's List endorsement may not be enough...Posted by joe lance on 2:39 PM
Rep. Paul Stanley Will Run for State Senate
As is now widely known, Rep. Paul Stanley (R-96) will seek the State Senate seat being vacated by Curtis Person, Jr. (R-31). Paul Stanley There are already contenders for the 96th House seat. Brad...Posted by joe lance on 1:10 PM
February 21, 2006
Get Your Kicks in District 66
A reader e-mailed to say that Joshua G. Evans, a Republican, will run for the open seat being vacated by longtime Representative Gene Davidson. It seems a given that the GOP primary winner in...Posted by joe lance on 12:03 PM
February 20, 2006
Blog Your Local Elections
Via EdCone.com, here's a Kos entry that makes several good points. As Ed Cone points out, the original post's intent is to encourage one party over another; however, the principles apply to anyone. Hey,...Posted by joe lance on 4:26 PM
February 18, 2006
What's Going to Happen in County District 4?
William Cotton's guilty verdict on two of three counts means that the County Commission will need to name his replacement. Soon after Commissioner Cotton was indicted, several of his colleagues indicated support for Warren...Posted by joe lance on 9:36 PM
February 16, 2006
David Davis Declares, Davidson Declines
The lineup grows rapidly in the race to replace Congressman Bill Jenkins. Rep. David Davis has formally announced. Stay tuned for candidates in Davis' 6th District House seat, which is obviously now open. I'll...Posted by joe lance on 10:32 PM
It's Too Late, Baby
UPDATE: "Oh yeah! Wow, my thinking on this case has been really uptight!" The 2006 qualifying deadline for most Hamilton County elected positions was an hour ago (noon on 2/16). They almost had me...Posted by joe lance on 1:13 PM
February 15, 2006
State House Candidate Announcement
Rob Huddleston already posted this, so go visit his VOLuntarily Conservative blog for details. Jim Boyd announced his candidacy for the Tennessee House of Representatives. I have added his name to the appropriate page....Posted by joe lance on 4:21 PM
February 14, 2006
Roy Moore Watch
I know this is not a Tennessee election, but it is in one of our most neighborly of neighbor states -- and the more power and attention this guy gets, the more often he...Posted by joe lance on 10:19 AM
February 9, 2006
Independent Candidate for Sheriff
He's not a new candidate. Dave Alverson had already qualified for the ballot as a Republican, but now has re-declared without the party affiliation. (As his transition was becoming known, he got disinvited from...Posted by joe lance on 10:03 AM
February 6, 2006
Reeding Him His "Rights"
From Politics1.com: A group of 21 GOP State Senators -- nearly two-thirds of the entire Georgia Senate Republican Caucus -- signed a letter on Friday calling on former Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed...Posted by joe lance on 11:56 AM
February 4, 2006
Spotlight on the Third Party/Independent Contingent
Call me biased, but I just can't seem to join either of the two dominant political parties in American politics. The Democrats have plenty of passion and concern, but seem to lack focus. The...Posted by joe lance on 11:41 AM
February 1, 2006
Stepping Lively
I am not at all surprised by the news that former District 1 City Council member John Lively has changed his mind, and is not running for County Commission, but instead is running for...Posted by joe lance on 3:04 PM
January 30, 2006
Monday Night Clippings
The US Senate race: Pensieri has begun a 5-part series of, well, pensieri on the GOP primary. It should be an interesting read. Jeff Moder got an endorsement. A very good national elections blogger...Posted by joe lance on 11:16 PM
January 26, 2006
Developing Story in State House District 27 Election?
A recent Chattanoogan.com article reported Red Bank Mayor Pat Brown's interest in the seat now being vacated by Rep. Chris Clem, but I just got a phone call from someone asking about the possibility...Posted by joe lance on 2:12 PM
January 23, 2006
The Least Recognized, the Most Qualified
There's a new post on the lately silent Rosalind Kurita blog, and there's another, stronger argument from pro-Kurita (or just anti-Ford) blogger autoegocrat at The Flypaper Theory. Both have some words on the recent...Posted by joe lance on 1:34 PM
January 11, 2006
From Decatur to Ducktown
The special election to replace former Rep. Chris Newton is here. I found a strongly worded opinion in favor of Republican Eric Watson in the Bradley News Weekly. Appointed interim representative Sally Love is...Posted by joe lance on 9:25 PM
January 8, 2006
How To Run A Campaign, Democrat Style
The Hamilton County Democratic Party held a campaign seminar Saturday at the Ironworkers Local 704. Energetic partisans are so fun on a Saturday morning that I couldn't think of not going, so I went....Posted by joe lance on 9:20 PM
January 6, 2006
Russian Christmas Overtures
I think it might be humorous if Bill Young built a hotel at the corner of Renaissance Park and still named it “The Coolidge.” State elections kick off today! Watch for news on who...Posted by joe lance on 12:55 PM
January 5, 2006
Thursday News
I think the biggest news around here today is the absolutely huge real estate deal between longtime Chattanoogan Bob Corker and relative newcomer Henry Luken. Since I buy most of the groceries at an...Posted by joe lance on 12:15 PM
January 2, 2006
District 22 Endorsements
While a special election's shortened length is attractive for many reasons, I suppose the reality I deal with now is that if all elections had similar spans, they'd be over before I finished this...Posted by joe lance on 9:00 AM
January 1, 2006
Farmer Pulls Up Roots for More Fertile Ground
Congressional candidate John Farmer, a Republican, has withdrawn from the 9th District race. He's still running for Congress, though, next door in the 8th, which is currently represented by Democrat John Tanner. (I'm assuming...Posted by joe lance on 8:47 AM
December 30, 2005
Love to Debate
The special election to replace Chris Newton -- the only legislator indicted in Operation Tennessee Waltz who seems to have looked at the 27 8x10 color glossy photographs with the paragraph on the back...Posted by joe lance on 8:54 PM
December 29, 2005
News and Announcements
First of all, if you want a good wrap-up of the latest state civics stories, drop by Adam Groves' Simply I. There's also the latest Tennessee Highway Patrol fiasco. Jay Bush of Blogging for...Posted by joe lance on 1:31 PM
December 27, 2005
Watch the O.C.
"The newly released records show that the five suspected votes were cast in sequence at Precinct 27-1." [Emphasis added.] I remain confused about the September 15 special election to replace former State Senator John...Posted by joe lance on 9:42 AM
December 23, 2005
What Now? Top ten local stories to watch in 2006
[Cross-posted from the Pulse.] It’s harder than it looks to avoid treating this as a set of predictions, but we assure you that the following assessment is the result of scientific best practices. Er,...Posted by joe lance on 9:51 AM
December 20, 2005
Start Your Engines
Where to start? First, my thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes as I was flat on my back for thirty hours while fighting off some kind of viral attacker. Next, my quite...Posted by joe lance on 10:21 PM
December 13, 2005
Your County Election Watch
This is just to briefly mention that Brian's Blog is to Knox County what this one is to Hamilton County, in terms of election tracking. I also should acknowledge that Chattanoogan.com is where I've...Posted by joe lance on 7:14 AM
December 2, 2005
Friday Blog Blogging
Catching up.. I heard on the news that North Carolina wins the game of "Mille Bones." There were some thoughts yesterday from R. Neal (via Silence). Then there are MooreThoughts. I mentioned it in...Posted by joe lance on 10:09 AM
November 29, 2005
Eric Watson (unofficial) GOP Nominee in 22
I was scouring what internet sites I thought might have results in today's special election primary, but the only one I found with any info was at first leading in the wrong direction. Chattanoogan.com...Posted by joe lance on 10:03 PM
House District 22 Election
To any readers in the Bradley, Meigs, and Polk County areas covered by House District 22: Vote today, November 29, in the primary election for the seat given up by Chris Newton. As I...Posted by joe lance on 7:00 AM
November 21, 2005
More 2006 Candidate Updates
First, for my non-Hamilton County readers: this post is all about our county elections. As you were, then, but do come back. It wouldn't be expedient to try and re-word the entire chattanoogan.com article...Posted by joe lance on 4:50 PM
November 19, 2005
2006 Candidate Updates
Here are the latest changes to the Civic Forum candidate pages: Hamilton County - Friday, November 18, was the first day for candidates in the 2006 elections to pick up qualifying papers. The Chattanooga...Posted by joe lance on 4:12 PM
November 18, 2005
What Am I Doin' Hangin' Round?
[Post title requires apologies to The Seldom Scene] I took the day off, so I should have planned to camp out at the Election Commission and get material for big, juicy stories on those...Posted by joe lance on 2:39 PM
I Hope He Keeps Blogging, Too
The "secret" is now out -- ascendant blogger and all-around likeable guy Bob Krumm is seriously considering a run for the State Senate in 2006. It'd be a tough race, as there is a...Posted by joe lance on 9:38 AM
November 13, 2005
New Senate Race Tracking Tool
Dangit if that Adam Groves isn't a super-nice fellow. If he weren't, I'd be cussing him right now for putting together such a splendid website. I'll be linking to it from my candidate page...Posted by joe lance on 9:32 AM
November 11, 2005
US House Campaign Additions
Here we are, a few days inside the year mark until the 2006 midterm elections, and now we see the kind of activity for which I've been waiting. Of course, I could just be...Posted by joe lance on 9:38 PM
November 3, 2005
2006 Statewide Campaign Update
Bo Heyward doesn't use expensive polling firms to get his positive results. As an outcome of his rather direct approach, he finds himself leading in the US Senate polling race with a whopping 100%....Posted by joe lance on 10:46 AM
October 30, 2005
Hamilton County Election Updates
Here are some recent changes to the Hamilton County Candidates page: County Commission, District 4 I have added my friend Brian Caldwell's name to the Potential section. I feel fairly confident that he'll run,...Posted by joe lance on 12:37 PM
October 24, 2005
Site Announcement: Return of the Tennessee Candidate Pages
They're Baaaack! (Like the reference? I don't, but it's apropos for Halloween, I guess.) Whatever. What I'm trying to stumble toward is an announcement that the Chattanooga-Hamilton Civic Forum Candidate Pages, which went away...Posted by joe lance on 9:43 PM
South of the Border
Political and election news from our dear Southern neighbors: In Georgia, Ralph Reed (whom, by the way, has one of my favorite "fake" names) is running for Lieutenant Governor. Why? Because Georgians need a...Posted by joe lance on 10:54 AM
October 21, 2005
Some of What Happened This Week
Tennessee House Majority Leader Kim McMillan (D-Clarksville) was accused of entangling herself in a major conflict of interest, and today went on the defensive against her detractors. Like Matthew White before me [can't find...Posted by joe lance on 12:00 PM
October 18, 2005
New Kurita Blog
From an anonymous commenter at a Ford supporter's blog, I learned of this new blog. Good. Now all of the "major" Tennessee candidates for U.S. Senate* have unofficial blogs, and a couple of other...Posted by joe lance on 3:23 PM
October 10, 2005
Cotton 2002 Election Case Headed for Grand Jury
Via tfpOnline: Steve Crump, assistant district attorney general for the 10th Judicial District, said his office will present findings into alleged criminal violations surrounding a 2002 Hamilton County election to a grand jury in...Posted by joe lance on 2:45 PM
October 4, 2005
Senate Leadership to Investigate District 29 Election
The Commercial Appeal has a brief story. I'm just sitting on my hands and waiting until all of this is over before I mark an incumbent on my State Senate page. Either Ophelia Ford...Posted by joe lance on 2:24 PM
September 28, 2005
Your Midweek Gin
Progressive activist and columnist Dan Sweeton says things that sound a lot like what I have heard from the far right corner (TeamGOP, Bill Hobbs, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Moder). What's going on...Posted by joe lance on 11:12 AM
September 19, 2005
All's Fair
I just received an e-mail from the John Bailes for County Commission campaign (which now has a blog up and running, by the way — good for them). John's going to be tabling at...Posted by joe lance on 9:10 PM
September 15, 2005
Two Ophelias
Yes, I spared you the tired old "A Tale of" riff. But there are two Ophelias in the news today; one to the East of me, and one to the West. The Hurricane Ophelia...Posted by joe lance on 4:22 PM
September 12, 2005
Yet Another Reason to Support Warren Mackey in District 4
"..Cotton Mad." Okay, he didn't get the committee assignments he may have wanted; I can sympathize, but I cannot the question is, why would anyone be fooled into thinking that County Commissioner William Cotton...Posted by joe lance on 9:58 PM
"..and she talks good."
Many thanks to Tennessee Liberal for picking up the latest gaffe from "The Education Commissioner" and bringing it to the blogosphere. Go, go. Go, Johnny, go....Posted by joe lance on 9:55 PM
September 8, 2005
House District 22 Updates
Here's how the candidate lineup looks at the moment for Chris Newton's old seat: District 22 Special election to be held: the expected dates are late in 2005. Declared candidates Elizabeth Kalabus Republican volunteer...Posted by joe lance on 2:01 PM
September 2, 2005
Labor of Love?
there will be light blogging for the next several days, in part because I have set a target date of Labor Day 2005 for the Big Release of the Civic Forum's Election 2006 Candidate Pages, and, well, we're pretty close to that target.Posted by joe lance on 3:53 PM
August 28, 2005
Curtis Adams Doesn't Get It
Even if I were supporting Curtis Adams -- my current County Commissioner -- for re-election, I would stand by this post's title. In today's Chattanooga Times-Free Press (page B5), Kathleen Baydala writes that Adams...Posted by joe lance on 8:58 AM
August 19, 2005
John Jay Hooker's Value
You may consider John Jay Hooker to be a less-than-serious choice for your vote on election day (ahem, just about every one of 'em), but I seriously recommend reading this one article, if you...Posted by joe lance on 10:24 PM
August 11, 2005
Local Campaigning
Harold Ford, Junior is going to be in the neighborhood soon, according to your local Democrats. His primary rival, State Senator Rosalind Kurita, is sticking to virtual visits for now, but somehow I suspect...Posted by joe lance on 9:14 PM
August 10, 2005
Running Again
When you go to the polls, take my advice; Vote John Jay Hooker, and vote for him twice. Basil Marceaux I is not the only one who runs for multiple offices (I think I've...Posted by joe lance on 8:28 PM
August 8, 2005
Election Commission Website to Improve?
According to the Chattanoogan.com's report, during an exchange between voter representative Floyd Kirkpatrick and newly-sworn-in Administrator Bud Knowles, Mr. Knowles said that improvements are coming to the Election Commission's rather pitiable website. As my...Posted by joe lance on 1:50 PM
August 5, 2005
Fords Likely to Keep State Senate Seat
Absentee and Early Voters preferred Representative Henri E. Brooks, but last-minute pushes by the Ford campaign, including the disembodied voice of former Congressman Harold Ford, Sr making a mechanized appeal, must have worked. Ophelia...Posted by joe lance on 11:27 AM
August 1, 2005
Special Election for 2 Assembly Seats: Primary
This Thursday (8/4), voters in Senate District 29 will go to the polls to select their parties' nominees to replace John Ford, who resigned after being indicted in the recent FBI sting dubbed "Tennessee...Posted by joe lance on 11:24 AM
July 29, 2005
Friday Clippings
Latest announcements by those running for re-election in Hamilton County: District 6 Commissioner Lou Miller (um, there was an article about Lou Miller's decision on Chattanoogan.com, and now I can't find it). (UPDATE: Now...Posted by joe lance on 1:07 PM
July 24, 2005
Accrued Links
Tropical Storm Franklin Graphics (NOAA) Regarding TennCare, can we of different "sides" work together to try and alleviate some of its headaches, instead of causing new ones? I hold the bell-ringers in the same...Posted by joe lance on 9:32 PM
July 15, 2005
Quinze de juillet
So I didn't blog on Bastille Day? Doesn't matter. I had nothing to say, but here are a couple of posts from friends on the Left and the Right. Latest on Ethics: Blogging legislator...Posted by joe lance on 1:00 PM
July 11, 2005
Celebrity Governors
The Manhattan District Attorney is considering a run for Governor of Tennessee? (Via B4B) No, wait, that's his TV job. These rumors have been around for a while, and I think they're only re-surfacing...Posted by joe lance on 1:28 PM
Meet the New Boss, Same As the Old Boss
The Chattanoogan reports that the 5 3 majority Democrats on the Hamilton County Election Commission have come together to name (current Interim and former Deputy) Bud Knowles as the Administrator. While I'm glad to...Posted by joe lance on 11:23 AM
June 21, 2005
Gauntlet Flung in HamCo District 8
Oh, and you thought that the US Senate race of 2006 was going to be the exciting part. Not. Even with rumors circling that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. may actually enter the...Posted by joe lance on 3:41 PM
June 20, 2005
Administering Bud
Could it be that, instead of more impasse and partisanship, a very simple solution can be found for the problem of filling the Administrator's position at the Hamilton County Election Commission? If Mr. Knowles...Posted by joe lance on 12:00 PM
June 6, 2005
Election Commission Stalled on Naming Administrator (Again)
According to information published on Chattanoogan.com, there were two rounds of voting on Saturday. The five Election Commissioners indicated their first choices for Administrator, and were divided as follows: Mike Walden - Luanne DeWitt...Posted by joe lance on 1:31 PM
May 27, 2005
2006 Is (Past) Time to Clean House (and Senate)
I know that you know that I know that I don't have anything meaningful to add to the news items regarding our state's rather dramatic (and I mean that in the "Tennessee Waltz" kind...Posted by joe lance on 10:03 AM
May 25, 2005
If You Didn't Already Think Fran Dzik Had Gone Republican..
..read this. Say, that r'minds me: I read once that when Diebold (or maybe it was another firm, or a group of them) were asked about providing paper receipts for voters, they claimed that...Posted by joe lance on 8:34 PM
May 16, 2005
Kuwaiti Women Will Vote
This just (sort of) in, and there's more here. I understand that theirs has been a long (in modern terms) struggle. It was not that long ago that American women got American men to...Posted by joe lance on 8:57 PM
May 10, 2005
State Senate Election Today in District 33
Almost forgot. Today those Memphians who live in District 33 will choose the "permanent" replacement for Roscoe Dixon, who resigned earlier this year. The way this works is that the county appoints an interim...Posted by joe lance on 3:26 PM
April 29, 2005
Your Choices for Tennessee's Next Senator
Every Tennessee voter ought to be seriously considering what to do about the 2006 race to replace outgoing Senator Bill Frist. Every Tennessean who is eligible, but not registered to vote, ought to do...Posted by joe lance on 10:06 AM
April 19, 2005
Chattanooga Municipal Election 2005 Archive
The Chattanooga City candidates page has now been rebuilt, showing the new (and carryover) incumbents. Congrats to all the winners. "Read more" leads to the former page's content as it stood prior to the...Posted by joe lance on 11:53 AM
Entourages and Fans in the Blogosphere
No, this is not a post about my entourage, nor is it about my fans. (You will get yours, just be patient. Joe-daddy loves ya.) This is about the growing number of blogs that...Posted by joe lance on 9:49 AM
April 14, 2005
Fran, Zach, Bob, Tom and Tyrone
I don't know about where you work, but where I work, it seems you have to be named Tom or Bob to get named to an executive position. I'm just a Joe. I won't...Posted by joe lance on 8:13 PM
April 13, 2005
On to 2006!
Finally, force the local dinosaur media to either increase the spread and depth of their citizens'-issues coverage or lose audiences. This blog, whether it stays as is or marries another, cheerfully accepts the charge of overtaking the lead position in local-to-national civic/political coverage, and invites any and all legacy comers to a Zell-esque duel at the tip of Moccasin Bend at dawn. The future is littered with the carcasses of media anachronisms who deign to take this seriously.Posted by joe lance on 8:21 AM
April 12, 2005
Ron Littlefield, Manuel Rico Win Runoff
It comes as somewhat of a surprise to this blogger, who thought it would at least be closer, but with 91.89% of precincts reporting, Littlefield leads with 54.01%, or 14,713 votes, to Ann Coulter's...Posted by joe lance on 9:32 PM
Matthews-Rico and Coulter-Littlefield Runoffs Today
Here are today's burning questions. 1. Have YOU voted (applies to eligible Chattanoogans only)? If not, you have from 8:00-8:00. Get to your precinct's polling location and VOTE. 2. Does Ann Coulter have the...Posted by joe lance on 6:24 AM
April 5, 2005
Candidate Pages Update
Check out the Governor and US Senate candidate pages for the latest lineup, with thanks to these guys and this guy for keeping me in the loop. (I really need to figure out getting...Posted by joe lance on 2:55 PM
April 1, 2005
More 2006 Breaking News: Corker Website Launched
Like Van Hilleary's, it's only a "placeholder" site for now, and doesn't yet have a blog....Posted by joe lance on 3:20 PM
Governor Race Update
The second person to officially declare his candidacy to oppose Governor Phil Bredesen in 2006 (the first being 2002 candidate Carl Twofeathers Whitaker) is Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, according to this. (HT: Blogging for...Posted by joe lance on 3:05 PM
March 25, 2005
District 33 Results
The unofficial results are in for Shelby County's 33rd state Senate district special election primary. State Representative Kathryn Bowers (D-87) led the total vote count with 2129, which gave her a near-majority 49.39% in...Posted by joe lance on 6:56 AM
March 24, 2005
Special Election Today in South Shelby
Memphis-area readers, if you live in State Senate District 33, go vote in today's primary for your preferred Republican or Democrat to fill that seat. (If you're supporting either of the two independent candidates,...Posted by joe lance on 8:33 AM
March 23, 2005
Attention, World, There Are (at least) Two Ann Coulters
I've noticed that the vast majority of keyword searches that get people to this site consist of these three words: "ann coulter chattanooga." Since I'm a curious sort, I pulled up those Google links...Posted by joe lance on 2:31 PM
Carr Pulled Over
Whoops. Anyone should know to log into h/er web-based personal e-mail account to send mail such as this. What do you think of Ron Littlefield's attempt to "conspiratorialize" this event -- and what significance...Posted by joe lance on 9:19 AM
March 19, 2005
Three Elephants on a Merry-Go-Round
People thought that Van Hilleary would run for Governor again, and now he has announced his candidacy for the US Senate. People also were thinking that Beth Harwell would run for the US Senate,...Posted by joe lance on 9:15 PM
March 17, 2005
Ann Coulter in the Neighborhood
On Wednesday afternoon, neighbors in the Mountain Creek area were treated to an at-home event by leading mayoral candidate Ann Coulter. Ms. Coulter outlined her neighborhood initiative (scroll down, #link not working) and answered...Posted by joe lance on 8:42 AM
March 12, 2005
Shame on Littlefield
This is, at best, a case of the pot calling the kettle black. I have been contacted twice by Littlefield pollsters (both times before the March 1 election), and the second one was definitely...Posted by joe lance on 9:39 AM
March 8, 2005
Election Update
Let's do better than 27% of registered voters in the Mayoral (and District 7) runoff election. The Bailout presents a view on what the low turnout numbers really mean. If you are uncomfortable with...Posted by joe lance on 11:15 AM
March 6, 2005
Special Election in Senate District 33
District 33 Special election in May 2005. Sidney Chism - Interim - chosen by Shelby County Commission after Roscoe Dixon resignation Kathryn Bowers - District 87 Representative Mary Lynn Flood James Harvey Jason Hernandez...Posted by joe lance on 8:00 AM
March 3, 2005
2006 Tennessee Candidate Listings
At the top of the sidebar (to the right) are links to the first ever online source dedicated to Chattanooga and Hamilton County voters' needs for information about rumored and confirmed candidates & political...Posted by joe lance on 9:19 PM
March 1, 2005
The Real, Ugly Election Numbers
Registered Voters 96472 - Cards Cast 25998 26.95%. (Num. Report Precinct 76 - Num. Reporting 75 98.68%) To the other 73%, and I think I speak for all of us: YOU'RE WELCOME. On the...Posted by joe lance on 10:05 PM
Marti Rutherford Wins "Re-election"
Voters were implored to "Re-elect Marti Rutherford," and it appears that they have been persuaded. Ms. Rutherford will return for a third (non-consecutive) term as the District 6 Council member....Posted by joe lance on 8:44 PM
Hot Council Districts
Folks over in District 7 are still 'anxiously mulling' their choices for City Council. District 6 is a tough one, too. There are two good candidates, but neither is perfect. I do know a...Posted by joe lance on 8:34 AM
February 27, 2005
Election Picks
Well, it's time. And without further ado, here are this blog's picks in the Chattanooga Municipal Election of March 1, 2005: District 1 - Projected Winner: John Lively Civic Forum Recommendation: Linda Bennett Actual:...Posted by joe lance on 9:02 AM
February 25, 2005
Celebrate Progress in Iraq...VOTE
He beat me to it, but this was to be today's message here as well. I really don't need to paraphrase it, just to call attention to it. Seriously. We have the ability to...Posted by joe lance on 4:29 PM
February 24, 2005
More Lobbyists, City Elections, Senate 2006
Frank Talk has a decent explanation of why there are over 2,000(!) bills pending in the current General Assembly session. Bill Hobbs is demonstrating more raw fear of Mayor Bob Corker's Senate aspirations every...Posted by joe lance on 3:48 PM
February 21, 2005
City Election Update
Candidate Events this week: Monday, 2/21 - Districts 8 & 9 Candidates Forum, Avondale Rec Ctr - 6pm Tuesday, 2/22 - NAACP Mayoral Candidates Forum - Glenwood Rec Ctr - 6pm Wednesday, 2/23 -...Posted by joe lance on 6:15 PM
February 18, 2005
Mayoral Melodrama on River Street
Sadly, the show's one flaw was that not one of the candidates could muster a coherent answer to this question (though to be fair, I don't think all the performers were given coherence as a stage direction). Ann Coulter did later say that all of the elements are already here in the City for The Arts to truly permeate our community...Posted by joe lance on 10:49 AM
Senate 2006 Update
Conservative Republicans are really afraid of Bob Corker, but now that Van Hilleary is cashing in on his wide name recognition (from his 2002 unsuccessful run for Governor) and is joining the race, the...Posted by joe lance on 10:31 AM
February 17, 2005
A Little (Political) Theater
If your schedule allows, please come to the Allied Arts mayoral candidate forum tonight at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. If you can't make it, I will be posting my take on it here, sometime...Posted by joe lance on 1:11 PM
February 16, 2005
Pulse Picks, Curtis Circus, and More
Chattanooga's premier alternative weekly, the Pulse, endorsed Ann Coulter for Mayor today in a well-reasoned editorial. Better yet is the rundown of pros and cons each mayoral candidate embodies found here. Your voting booth...Posted by joe lance on 12:53 PM
February 10, 2005
New County Commission Member
The Chattanoogan reports that Greg Beck has been voted in by 6 members of the Hamilton County Commission. Two Commissioners opposed. Mr. Beck will replace outgoing Commissioner JoAnne Favors, who won election to the...Posted by joe lance on 12:54 PM
February 9, 2005
Corker's Senate Race Funding Disclosed
Blogger Adam Groves calls specific attention to one donor in particular, and has a link to the Chattanooga Times Free Press article where the funding disclosure is detailed. There appears to be quite a...Posted by joe lance on 3:47 PM
Election Commission Website (slightly) Improved
I have periodically written in public opinion forums about the drastic reduction of information available on the Hamilton County Election Commission's web site. This reduction began taking place after the Administrator position changed hands...Posted by joe lance on 2:38 PM
Early Voting Begins Today
While I can personally think of several detractors to the practice of Early Voting, I would be remiss in my self-assumed role as a co-contributor to community civic information if I did not echo...Posted by joe lance on 12:27 PM
February 7, 2005
Senate Race Suddenly "On Its Head"
This past weekend saw the announcement that Van Hilleary has a wide lead in a poll regarding the GOP nominee for US Senate in 2006. You can read a reasonable accounting of that here....Posted by joe lance on 12:56 PM
February 3, 2005
Heat is turned up in Mayoral campaign
The flames of rhetoric are being fanned (how many times have we heard and used that tired metaphor?). Ron Littlefield's campaign is making remarks about Ann Coulter's nonexistent voting history as it pertains to...Posted by joe lance on 2:58 PM
February 2, 2005
Mayoral Forum on NewsChannel9
I did not get to watch the forum, but I enjoyed the commentary provided by Bill Colrus on his NewsPinion blog....Posted by joe lance on 1:04 PM
January 29, 2005
Incumbent, "Twofeathers," and Mr. X
I'll start with the two candidates I am quite sure are running. Governor Phil Bredesen is being talked up all over the place as a contender for the White House in 2008, so what...Posted by joe lance on 9:38 PM
January 27, 2005
Mayoral Forum on BTH - Commentary
Beware, there is only self-edited commentary below. Who watched the whole forum? I only got to tune in just about halfway through it. I guess I should wait until I can see the whole...Posted by joe lance on 4:41 PM
January 26, 2005
Who Will Be the Next US Senator from Tennessee?
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is not seeking re-election after his second term. The going story is that he will likely throw his proverbial hat into the ring for the 2008 GOP presidential...Posted by joe lance on 3:47 PM
January 25, 2005
2005 Municipal Election: Mayor
There are important choices facing Chattanooga voters in the 2005 municipal election. Chief (in a way) among these is the selection of the next Mayor. From all appearances one would think that there are...Posted by joe lance on 7:14 PM
January 24, 2005
Municipal Election 2005: District 6
According to an online poll, Julie Chamberlain appears to have a comfortable lead over former Council member Marti Rutherford. The latter is seeking to regain the seat she held prior to her unsuccessful bid...Posted by joe lance on 7:16 PM