[fieldmarshaldj]

Mayor Tyree was the Democrat nominee in ‘82, not Butcher. Butcher didn’t run in 1982 (if he did, he never made it to the primary). Tyree’s main opponent was Gov. Frank Clement’s sister and Bob Clement’s aunt, State Sen. Anna Belle Clement O’Brien, whom Tyree edged 50-40%.

1982 Dem primary candidates:
http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28526

Interestingly, I rechecked and noticed Butcher did run in the 1974 Dem primary, and trailed ex-Congressman Blanton by only 2.5% (Blanton won only a paltry 22.7%, and of course, absent runoffs... moonbats and criminals have quite the opportunity). Had Butcher been the nominee that year, it’s quite likely he would’ve won the general, indeed.

It’s frightening to realize that the Dem party in this state has had a near-permanent criminal class every inch as bad as Arkansas or Louisiana running this state, or coming achingly close to running it. Reminds me of why I became a Republican in the first place, solely in reaction to their permanent corruption.

[cva66snipe]

OK I found the source of my confusion. I had read where he had ran twice. I thought it was 82 in the back of my mind. But while Jake was raising money for Tyree, his brother CH was raising money for Alexander. They played both sides. Investigation uncovered fraud by Butchers Like I said Knoxville politics was dirty. Alexander had a knack for magical deals himself in that era and following his term as governor.