Tennessee State and Local Politics (Two GOP gov. debates upcoming)

[smoltchanov]

AFAIK - Strickland is first white mayor of Memphis in many years (about quarter of century), and is a somewhat conservative-leaning Democrat...

[100% pro-life no matter what]

Also, a really interesting primary, where it looks like a 20-something named Grant Starrett has a good chance to successfully primary Scott DesJarlais.

[Kingpoleon]

I've heard Bill Gibbons is being considered for Attorney or Solicitor General of Tennessee. Do our TN members know anything about this?

[Oak Hills]

Durham scandal: This just keeps getting crazier and crazier:

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HD-34: Conservative lawmaker Rick Womick (R-Rockvale) will retire after the next election. Womick also endorsed his former campaign consultant Tim Rudd to replace him. Murfreesboro attorney Jimmy Turner, also a Republican, is running as well. District map.

Judicial confirmation: Senate approves the plan 33-0, and the House 86-5, sending to the Governor's desk.

School vouchers: The bill has passed the House Finance Committee 11-10.

State of the State: Haslam will focus on education and how to spend a larger-than-expected revenue surplus in his State of the State speech Monday:

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[Oak Hills]

I've heard Bill Gibbons is being considered for Attorney or Solicitor General of Tennessee. Do our TN members know anything about this?

I can't find any information on that from web searches.

[Kingpoleon]

I've heard Bill Gibbons is being considered for Attorney or Solicitor General of Tennessee. Do our TN members know anything about this?

I can't find any information on that from web searches.

May have just been some Thinking On Twitter(TOT). I don't remember the party member who said it.

Anyway, Mayor Mark Luttrell seems rather electable, as does State Sen. Randy McNally.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

The Lt. Gov. and Speaker of the Senate (I'm honestly not sure how/why he is both) Ron Ramsey announced today that he will not run for re-election to the Senate this year.  Not sure if that means anything for being Lt. Governor.

[Oak Hills]

The Lt. Gov. and Speaker of the Senate (I'm honestly not sure how/why he is both) Ron Ramsey announced today that he will not run for re-election to the Senate this year.  Not sure if that means anything for being Lt. Governor.

In Tennessee, "lieutenant governor" is simply an ex officio title held by the speaker of the Senate. They are one and the same office.

Anyway, here's an article on Ramsey's retirement for those interested.

The Kingsport Times-News has this article about candidates running to replace him. State Rep. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) and three other candidates have picked up petitions for Ramsey's northeast Tennessee seat. Additionally, Sullivan County Commissioner John Crawford has picked up a petition for Lundberg's House seat. Maps of Ramsey's and Lundberg's seats.

Nashville Post on possible successors to Ramsey as speaker:

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[Oak Hills]

The deadline to file for state legislature or Congress was yesterday. Five out of 16 state senators and 28 out of 99 state representatives will be seeking re-election unopposed.

Here the full list of state legislative and congressional candidates.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

A recount has been ordered by a federal judge (a liberal one was the only one willing to take the case) for the 2014 Amendment 1, which protected unborn babies.  It passed 53-47, but the Amendment received more votes in total than were cast in the governor's race due to people abstaining from voting for or against Halam to try to "double their vote" (a weird loophole in the counting process).  That tactic is the source of the controversy.  Just yesterday, a state judge ruled in favor of the Tennessee counting process.  Even with a recount, it seems likely that the original result will be upheld.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/22/federal-judge-orders-recount-2014-abortion-ballot-vote/83407612/

UPDATE: The Yes on 1 campaign is likely appealing to the 6th District Circuit Court.  It appears to stand for now, pending a recount.

[Oak Hills]

--AP:"Harwell, Ramsey would be surprised by any more vetoes" from Gov. Haslam.

--Haslam is the seventh most popular governor in the country, according to a new  poll from Morning         Consult; he stands at 62% approval and 22% disapproval, about the same as last year.

--"Counseling Group cancels TN conference to protest new law"
   By Sheila Burke, Associated Press

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[Oak Hills]

"Anti-annexation PAC makes picks in legislative races"
Tom Humphrey, Humphrey on the Hill
June 27, 2016

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"Bo Watson joins legislators’ PAC club"
Tom Humphrey, Humphrey on the Hill
June 26, 2016

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"Could Tennessee join fight to collect sales taxes from internet retailers?"
Andy Sher, Chattanooga Times-Free Press
June 26, 2016

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[Oak Hills]

"Harwell task force: Medicaid for veterans, those with behavioral disorder"
Eric Schelzig, Associated Press
June 30, 2016

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"Wine in grocery stores, guns-on-campus among laws taking effect July 1"
Eric Schelzig, Associated Press
June 30, 2016

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"With wine in grocery stores and a new head of the ABC, Tennesseans are optimistic about the future of alcohol in the state"
Cari Wade Gervin, Nashville Scene
June 30, 2016

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[Oak Hills]

HD-95: Commercial Appeal on state Rep. Curry Todd (R-Collierville) and his primary challengers:

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District map

[Oak Hills]

"Unchallenged senators transfer state mailer money to Dickerson, Overbey"
Tom Humphrey, Humphrey on the Hill
July 11, 2016

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[100% pro-life no matter what]

I will be announcing my congressional endorsements for all nine seats (including the heated primaries in the 4th and the 8th) tomorrow.

[100% pro-life no matter what]

My endorsements:

TN-01: Phil Roe
TN-02: John Duncan
TN-03: Chuck Fleischmann
TN-04: Grant Starrett
TN-05: Stacy Ries Snyder
TN-06: Diane Black
TN-07: Marsha Blackburn
TN-08: Brian Kelsey
TN-09: Just write in me (even though I don't live in the district and am not 25, I have as much of a chance as any of those Republicans)

[Oak Hills]

HD-65 R: Sam Whitson defeating disgraced incumbent Jeremy Durham 81%-13% (Durham suspended his campaign just before early voting got underway).

[Oak Hills]

SD-26: Incumbent Dolores Gresham leading challenger Bob Shutt by barely over 600 votes.