Records published by the Knox County Election Commission show that Johnson resides on Brice Street, which is in District 7, not District 6. (District 7 is currently represented by Sen. Stacey Campfield.)

Multiple online posts by supporters and detractors indicate confusion over applicable sections of state law on the matter. For example, TCA § 2-14-204 states:

Only a qualified voter of the district represented shall be eligible to succeed to the vacant seat.

However, Knoxville area blogger R. Neal points out that this may refer to county commission appointments, not special elections. This appears to be correct, as the preceding title (2-14-203) defines how interim successors are chosen, and the word “succeed” in 204 appears to continue the thought. (Sue Atchley currently holds the seat on an interim basis after being appointed by the Knox County Commission.)

But Neal then cites TCA § 3-1-102(f):

A candidate for election to the office of senator shall be required to reside in the senatorial district from which such candidate seeks to be elected for one (1) year immediately preceding the election.

Sounds simple enough, but the confusion renews when considering districts that only partially compose a county. For members of the House of Representatives, the requirements are clear: the representative needs only to live in the county, not the actual district, when a county elects 2 or more direct representatives.

In those counties entitled to elect two (2) or more direct representatives and divided by § 3-1-103 into representative districts, a candidate for election to the office of representative shall not be required to reside in the representative district from which such candidate seeks to be elected, but shall be a resident of the county.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 3-1-104

There is apparently no such provision afforded to senators from multi-district counties.

Johnson says she plans to relocate into the district by the general election date, which is in early November. Such a move raises questions among political observers who contend that the 6th Senate District is unfailingly Republican, and therefore maintain that a campaign by any Democrat is arguably quixotic. It seems like a lot of trouble, under the circumstances.

That said, any citizen who wishes to seek office and is serious about it should be encouraged to do so—and to follow all applicable rules in the process. Johnson is not a seasoned political veteran, and it seems that those counseling her in making this choice, including officials at the Knox County Election Commission and state Democratic Party chair Chip Forrester, could have provided better advice regarding the procedure.

UPDATE: See clarification from Mr. Neal in the comments, and follow his link for a legal opinion that holds TCA § 3-1-102(f) as unconstitutional.

A story by Jeff Woods in the Nashville City Paper says the Tea Party’s attacks on U.S. Sen. Bob Corker have diminished due to “Corker’s outrage over federal spending and the national debt.”

The article quotes Mark Skoda, a talk radio host and a leader in the Memphis Tea Party.

“A couple of folks called me who were interested in looking at running against Corker. I said, ‘Look, unless the guy is an apostate and turned into a liberal, why would you waste your money, your time and your energy to try to contend against this guy?’”

Skoda has figured in the national Tea Party scene, having helped found the National Tea Party Federation, but not all who self-affiliate with the movement consider him their spokesperson. (See this Free Republic thread.)

There still exists, then, the possibility that someone with Tea Party leanings will attempt a 2012 primary challenge or an independent candidacy in the general election (or both). Neither is likely to make much of a dent in Corker’s results, as he enjoys a rather imposing fundraising advantage; but some resentment lingers over a few of his votes.

Woods also laments the lack of Democratic Party wherewithal in finding a candidate to run against Corker, even as state party chair Chip Forrester prophesies that there will be one. Yes, there will be one, because the party cannot afford be seen as completely lying down in a statewide election. Yes, whoever that one is will be a so-called “sacrificial lamb.” If I had to guess, I’d say the party will be putting all its efforts into the few state legislative races it finds viable after redistricting is complete.

All of this means that Corker is very likely to be re-elected to a second term (2013 – 2019). The only outstanding question is whether he will refocus during that term to run for president in the 2016 election. Speculation has begun about that, but is of little use at this point in the game.

Bonus question: What will be the Tea Party’s influence by then?

The blogger at Dru’s Vues reported that no chickens were harmed in the making of the event: instead of the typical dinner, donors “paid top dollar to sit on hard metal chairs.” Party chair Chip Forrester said that the money saved on dinner would be put to use in funding campaigns.

Chas Sisk, Erik Schelzig, and Richard Locker each wrote stories about the fundraiser, which reportedly amassed close to $400,000 for the state party. Former Vice President Al Gore introduced current Vice President Joe Biden, who cheered on the three Democratic congressmen who are running for reelection. Gov. Phil Bredesen also spoke, along with Mike McWherter, who is running to replace him.

More:
Tom Humphrey
Speak to Power
Andy Sher

The AP story on WRCB

The Post Politics liveblog

@RonRamsey

Tennessee Democratic Party chair Chip Forrester

Andy Sher’s Times Free Press story

A roundup within a roundup

I’ll post more links as they become available.