Tag Archives: Jimmy Duncan

Tennessee congressional incumbents raise millions for 2012

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A Gannett report last week identified U.S. Rep. Stephen Fincher as the top recipient of campaign funds among Tennessee’s U.S. House delegation in the most recent reporting period (July – September 2011).

A quick glance at OpenSecrets.org shows that U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan is the House member with the most cash on-hand, with $1,534,506. U.S. Sen. Bob Corker is sitting on more than $6.5 million.

In the Third District, U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann shows a total of $410,439 raised so far in the 2012 election cycle. Fleischmann hosts U.S. House Speaker John Boehner at a fundraiser later this week. A donation of $1,000 will get one into the general reception; a $2,500 check means a photo opportunity with the Speaker.

No numbers are yet available for Fleischmann’s GOP primary rivals, Jean Howard-Hill and Weston Wamp.

In the Eighth District, independent candidate James Hart has raised $502 compared to Fincher’s $943,564.

In the Ninth District, Tomeka Hart, a Democratic Party primary challenger to incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, has reported zero dollars raised. Cohen has raised close to a quarter million dollars.

Strictly redistricting (say that five times really fast)

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While several states have adopted new district maps, and more are in the approval process, Tennessee’s redistricting progress is slowed by partisanship and secrecy. Here are some thoughts about what we do know at this point. Continue reading →

Massey nominated by GOP in Senate District 6

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Becky Duncan Massey bested two Republican rivals for the nomination in the special election to replace former Sen. Jamie Woodson in the Sixth Senate District. Knoxville City Councilwoman Marilyn Roddy received 39 percent of the vote to Massey’s 49 percent, according to unofficial results published in the Knoxville News Sentinel. Victoria DeFreese ended up with the remaining 12 percent.

Massey will face Democratic Party nominee Gloria Johnson in the November 8 general election. The district is currently drawn to favor Republican candidates, so Johnson will have to meet an uphill challenge.

Massey is from a well-known political family. Her father, former Congressman John J. Duncan Sr., was also a former mayor of Knoxville. Massey’s brother, U.S. Rep. John J. (“Jimmy”) Duncan Jr., currently represents the Second District. And her nephew, John Duncan III, is Trustee of Knox County. It is therefore almost excusable that the newspaper led its “subhed” with Massey’s maiden name, as pictured below:

In case there's any doubt, Massey is of the Duncan family.

As is so often the case, turnout was critical in this special election. When so few citizens bother to show up, a campaign with a solid get-out-the-vote apparatus can wield significant leverage.

The City of Knoxville also held elections on Tuesday. The top two vote-getters in the mayoral race, Madeline Rogero and Mark Padgett, will face each other in a runoff election on November 8.

The Tenn. eleven, two by two

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I have created a page that lists the whole congressional delegation for the 112th Congress, which begins in January. The information listed with each member will be enhanced to include, among other things, campaign finance disclosures, voting records, and full contact info. (Right now I have websites and social media addresses, so you can probably get there from here.) Your suggestions are welcome for what else would be useful information to include.

As I was putting the info together, I noticed that there were often two current or incoming members who shared a particular attribute. Here are a few of those pairings:

  • Two women. Congressman Marsha Blackburn (District 7) will no longer be the lone female, as she will be joined by Diane Black (District 6). Does anyone know if Sen. Black will also go by “Congressman”?
  • Two Democrats. In a sharp reversal of its former 5-4 majority in the U.S. House delegation, the Democratic Party now only boasts two members, one each from the largest urban centers in the state. (U.S. Reps. Jim Cooper, District 5; Steve Cohen, District 9)
  • Two musicians. I’m just looking at the House here, because of course U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is a fine pianist; but Cooper plays the banjo, and to-be freshman Stephen Fincher plays guitar and sings gospel.
  • Two “Steves.” The District 8 and District 9 neighbors are Fincher and U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, respectively.
  • Two doctors. Dr. Phil Roe (District 1) will now be joined by Dr. Scott DesJarlais (District 4) in being able to answer “is there a doctor in the House?”
  • So close: two nurses. But it was not to be. Robin Smith, who narrowly lost the District 3 primary in August (and in winning would have been all but assured victory in the general) could have been paired with Black in this category.

There is also a trio: Black, Blackburn, and Cohen are all former state senators. (Black is still one, as of this writing.)

There is only one Lamar.

There is only one who was elected before 2002: U.S. Rep. John “Jimmy” Duncan, who was elected in 1988.

Duncan Endorses Haslam

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Longtime incumbent U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. of Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District has endorsed Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam in the GOP primary for this year’s gubernatorial election. In doing so, the conservative Duncan passed over both his House-mate U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, of the neighboring Third District, and his ideological neighbor, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey. Haslam is seen by many as being more moderate than Ramsey or Wamp, yet Duncan’s conservative credentials are largely unquestioned.

However, Congressman Duncan and Mayor Haslam serve the same city, and sometimes being physical neighbors trumps other modes of proximity. Duncan joins former U.S. Sen. and Ambassador Howard Baker as Honorary Co-Chair of the Haslam for Governor campaign. Chattanoogan.com published the press release:

United States Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. endorsed Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam for the Republican nomination for governor as Knoxville Mayor Haslam opened his campaign’s new Knoxville office on Kingston Pike.

Mayor Haslam also announced Duncan as his campaign’s Honorary Campaign Co-Chairman, joining former Sen. Howard Baker. The announcement comes days after Haslam opened his Memphis campaign office flanked by Shelby County District Attorney General Bill Gibbons’ former statewide campaign chairman David Kustoff, now a statewide co-chairman of the Haslam campaign.

“I’ve known Bill for years, and I know he has the qualities and the experience Tennessee needs now,” Rep. Duncan said. “More than ever we have to have true conservative fiscal leadership, and he has the experience, intelligence and temperament needed to be the right Governor at the right time for Tennessee. He knows how to make tough decisions, balance budgets and get the best return on investment.

“Bill and I have worked together to help strengthen this area, and his executive leadership on the ground – he knows what business leaders need – was invaluable in attracting new companies and creating a good environment for expansion,” Rep. Duncan said.

“At the state level, the budget situation is very serious, and we must have someone with real experience. As Knoxville’s mayor, Bill reduced the size of city government, put the city on strong financial ground and helped grow jobs in the area, and I’m honored to be a part of his campaign team,” he added.

“Crissy and I are extremely grateful for the support we’ve received around the state, but there’s nothing like the support you get at home,” Mayor Haslam said. “Let me thank specifically my friend Jimmy Duncan for taking a leadership role with my campaign. Tennessee’s Second District is in good hands with him, and as governor, I will look forward to carrying on our strong working relationship and friendship.”