Phil Roe and Rep. David Davis (R-TN 1st) Well, Congressman Marsha Blackburn held on quite well to TN-07's Republican spot. I still feel good for biting my tongue telling the poll worker here in Brentwood that I was choosing to vote in the Republican primary.
The results?
Marsha Blackburn --- 65%
Tom Leatherwood --- 35%
I have to give Tom props though. He put the spotlight on some of Marsha's crooked ways which could undoubtedly be used against her in case (shudder) she decides to run for governor in 2010.
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On to bigger news.
Although the TN-09 Dem primary was expected to be closer, Steve Cohen (who is in the #1 spot of congressmen I'd love for TN-07) knocked out Nikki Tinker who tried to portray him as a Klan member...even though he's Jewish. Thus, Cohen will represent Memphis for another 2-year term.
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The BIGGEST news in Tennessee congressional races:
Phil Roe of Johnson City has ousted 1-term Congressman David Davis. According to the Tennessean, an incumbent hasn't been defeated in a primary in TN-01 since 1930.
The results?
Phil Roe --- 50%
David Davis --- 49%
From what I can tell, Roe seems to be a more moderate and respectable Republican. Although he espouses the normal right-wing credentials (pro-life, NRA member, blah blah blah), Roe has actually served on a City Planning Commission which right-wingers hate, obviously because it means "Big Brother" coming in and advising developers not to destroy a community. Remember Republicans looove big roads, big cars, big yards, and big hate.
On a green note, as mayor of Johnson City, Roe oversaw the installation of LED bulbs, swapping out city SUVs for Priuses, and using methane gas from landfills. Contrast this with Marsha's point-of-view...Tahoes instead of bicycles, concrete instead of trees, fear instead of everything.
Roe also makes two pledges: 1) a maximum 10-year term, and 2) no taking of any PAC money. Those are some serious pledges, especially for Republicans. He also is one of the few Repubs who criticize Big Oil, and has targeted David Davis for courting Exxon.
Finally, Bob Tuke won the Dem primary to challenge Sen. Lamar Alexander, while Marsha, Steve Cohen, Jim Cooper (D-Nashville), Lincoln Davis (D-Pall Mall), Jimmy Duncan (R-Knoxville), Bart Gordon (D-Murfreesboro), John Tanner (D-Union City), and Zach Wamp (R-Chattanooga) will surely hold on to their seats.
Gag me.
