Padgett enters Senate race -- Former clerk will face Tuke in Democratic primary Aug. 7

Knoxville News Sentinel ^ | 3/5/8 | GEORGIANA VINES

[SmithL]

Former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett officially opened his campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate Tuesday night with a fist-pounding speech in which he rhetorically told the incumbent, Republican Lamar Alexander, "We can do better, we should do better."

The crowd of several hundred packed into a room at Calhoun's on the River responded frequently with loud applause and cheering. Standing behind him as he kicked off his campaign were family members; Knox County District Attorney General Randy Nichols; Knox County Commission Chairman Thomas "Tank" Strickland; former officeholders and seekers; and friends.

Padgett said three points will be the backbone of his campaign:

---Being a fresh voice in Washington.

--Working for a safer and more secure Tennessee.

--Representing people "with more good ole-fashioned Tennessee values."

He said he favors bringing troops home from Iraq and providing them with good medical care when they return. He said the U.S. should take steps to secure America's borders in a way that ensures "that the people entering this country are doing it just as many of our families have done it, legally."

He also said he favors universal health care, and doing something to lower gas prices, "not cater to the big oil companies."

Padgett indicated he was running for the Senate because he believes a Democrat will win the presidency this fall.

Padgett, who served 20 years as clerk until term-limited in January 2007, first faces Nashville lawyer Bob Tuke in the Aug. 7 primary; the winner will take on Alexander in the November general election.

Tuke, a former Tennessee Democratic Party chairman, announced Monday he had filed his "statement of candidacy" with the Federal Election Commission.

Alexander has had a staff working on his campaign for the past year. One thing he's worked on is building support among well-known Democrats and Independents.

"Lamar will continue to work very hard across party lines, just like he did when he was governor," Tom Ingram, Alexander's chief of staff, said in response to Padgett and Tuke getting into the race.

Padgett's campaign said Tuesday that former TVA Director Johnny Hayes, a Democrat, will assist with fundraising, and a formal finance chairman will be announced later.

[SmithL]

-- Mike Padget

[fieldmarshaldj]

*crickets chirping*

[SmithL]

so it would seem

[fieldmarshaldj]

I wish we could get a real Conservative to challenge Lamar! this year. I will not be voting for him this year. He’ll draw no real rodent challenger, so he doesn’t need my vote.