And not without some last-minute scrapping between state Senate primary rivals. David Oatney has a fine overview of the session.
Then there’s Willie’s take:
Tag Archives: Tennessee
Duncan Endorses Haslam
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.”
Kim McMillan notes changes in Democratic primary, claims momentum
The last time I talked to Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan, she was one of five candidates in her party’s primary race. Today, even though a few additional petitions have been pulled at the Secretary of State’s office, for all practical purposes there are two Democrats vying to succeed Governor Phil Bredesen.
I caught up with McMillan on Tuesday at a downtown Starbucks where she met with YPAC members. We talked about the endorsement she had received earlier in the day from former rival Ward Cammack. She said that his choice is an indication of the momentum her campaign is building. Cammack is also officially joining the campaign as an adviser on environmental policy. I asked her if he is also going to be continuing his focus on creating jobs. She likened him to “an energy policy czar,” though she recognized that economic and environmental concerns are entwined.
When asked to describe what would help voters choose her over her opponent, Mike McWherter, McMillan gave a well-rehearsed but heartfelt answer. She said that if one looks beyond the surface—things like her gender and McWherter’s paternity—for distinctions, she feels that she has the experience necessary to begin the job on day one. She is the only candidate, of either party, who has served in the legislative and executive branches of state government, she said. She also pointed out her stints in higher education and in the private sector. Given the current challenges facing the state, she said, this is no time for “learning on the job.”
I asked her if she thinks Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle, who dropped out of the race last month, will endorse one of the candidates. Her response was that of an expert politician. Senator Kyle is very busy right now with shepherding Governor Bredesen’s legislative agenda in the General Assembly. In fact, he’s probably busier now than when he was running. He is not expected to do anything soon. I tried, though: I reminded her that the Legislature is hoping to wrap up by the end of April this year, and that the August primary is three months afterward. Surely Kyle will come out for either her or McWherter during that time, I hinted. He and McMillan were majority leaders of their respective houses, and they worked on a lot of bills together in those roles. She remained silent on the question (which, to be fair, is exactly what I expected).
This meeting wasn’t a formal interview, just a “drive-by” on my way home from the day job, so we didn’t get into any serious policy discussions. I wanted to check-in with McMillan, though, since the landscape has changed so dramatically in her race.*
What questions would you want me to ask at our next meeting? What would you need to know in order to decide on supporting this candidate (or to completely rule her out)? The choice doesn’t have to be made today, but it’s good to start thinking carefully about the options.
*Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do the same with McWherter, and likewise with the GOP candidates.