Free Republic

Final unofficial returns from the state Division of Elections this morning indicate that seven incumbent Republicans and five incumbent Democrats lost bids for re-election in Thursday's primaries. Latest additions to the incumbent loser list are Rep. Jim Cobb, R-Spring City, defeated by insurance agent Ron Travis 4.357 votes to 4,252 , according to the final unofficial returns; and Rep. Mary Pruitt, D-Nashville, defeated by Harold Love Jr. by about 40 votes. Other defeated incumbent Republican legislators were House Republican Caucus Chairman Debra Maggart of Hendersonville, House Education Committee Chairman Richard Montgomery of Sevierville; and Reps. Dale Ford of Jonesborough, Julia...

Tennessee GOP Lawmaker Says Hooters Job Was Key to Her Success Tuesday, February 08, 2011 By Erik Schelzig, Associated Press Nashville, Tenn. (AP) - A newly elected Tennessee legislator writes in the current issue of Hooters Magazine that her experience working in the restaurants known for waitresses' skimpy outfits led to her later success in business and politics. Republican state Rep. Julia Hurley, 29, was elected in November after defeating incumbent Democrat Dennis Ferguson in a mostly conservative district west of Knoxville. Hurley writes that her experience at Hooters helped prepare her for a run for public office - even...