Every two years, the even- and odd-numbered districts in the Tennessee State Senate take turns being up for election. There are 33 total seats, which means that either 16 or 17 seats are up each time. This year, the 17 odd-numbered seats are being filled. A Senate term is four years.

The following are contested Republican primary elections for August 5.

District 7

Stacey Campfield

• Bio: Real estate investor
• Political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 18, 2005-present
• Profile: See Knoxville News Sentinel
• Blog: Camp4u

Nicholas Ciparro

• Bio: Musician, Cook
• Profile: See Knoxville News Sentinel

Steve Hill

• Bio: Business management
• Profile: See Knoxville News Sentinel
• Website: http://www.stevehillforstatesenate.com/

Ron Leadbetter

• Bio: Attorney
• Political experience: Ran for Tennessee House of Representatives, District 18 in 2008
• Profile: See Knoxville News Sentinel
• Website: http://www.ronleadbetter.com/
• Social media: Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, YouTube

District 9

Mike Bell

• Bio: Businessman, Farmer
• Political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 23, 2007-present
• Social media: Facebook

Lou Patten

• Bio: Businessman
• Political experience: Tennessee Senate, 1986-94
• Website: http://loupatten.com/
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter

District 17

Mae Beavers – incumbent since 2003

• Bio: Paralegal, Financial adviser
• Political experience: Wilson County Commission, 1990-94; Tennessee House of Representatives, 1995-2003
• Website: http://www.maebeavers.com/
• Social media: Twitter

Gordon Borck

• Bio: Computer systems engineer
• Website: http://borckforsenate.com/

Susan M. Lynn

• Bio: Businesswoman
• Political experience: Tennessee House of Representatives, District 57, 2003-present
• Key issue: State sovereignty
• Blog: State Representative Susan Lynn
• Website: http://www.repsusanlynn.com/
• Social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Twitter

District 21

James P. Chesser

• Bio: Engineer, Attorney
• Profile: See A Disgruntled Republican
• Website: http://www.chesserfortnsenate.com/
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Steven Dickerson

• Bio: Physician, Guitarist
• Profile: See A Disgruntled Republican
• Key issues: Limited government, Free enterprise
• Website: http://www.votedickerson.com/

District 27

Jim Harding

• Bio: Farmer, Air Force veteran (Ret. Col.)
• Website: http://jimharding.com/
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter

Don McLeary

• Bio: Investment executive
• Political experience: Tennessee Senate, 2003-07
• Website: http://www.donmcleary.com/
• Social media: Facebook, Twitter

If you have information to contribute about any of these candidates, please leave a comment below. Comments are moderated.