Posted on 03/20/2009 5:04:16 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Bradley County Sheriff Tim Gobble has the field in Tennessee’s 3rd Congressional District largely to himself for now as he runs for the 11-county district’s first contest with no incumbent in 16 years.
“We feel like we’re starting to build a little momentum, and hopefully we’ll be able to carry that through the election,” said Sheriff Gobble, who last week visited with Hamilton County Republicans and attended a U.S. Department of Energy forum in Oak Ridge.
Other would-be candidates continue to weigh their options on the seat that incumbent U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., says he is giving up to run for governor in 2010.
Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Robin Smith of Hixson said things “are progressing nicely” as she explores running in the 3rd, which stretches from Chattanooga on the Georgia border north past Oak Ridge before curling east around Knox County and touching the Kentucky border.
“Everywhere I’ve been going, I’m receiving a lot of encouragement,” said Mrs. Smith, who emphasized she has made no decision.
State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson, and state Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, likewise are pondering bids and expect to make a final decision when the General Assembly concludes its business, possibly in May or June.
“I think it’s early. I just think people have campaign/political fatigue,” said Sen. Watson, noting the recent city elections in Chattanooga, which followed a two-year presidential campaign.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesfreepress.com ...
This is a solid Republican district, due in part to redistricting. So the GOP primary is where the action is. Input from Tennessee Freepers would be appreciated.
(That means you, DJ)
; )
I haven’t been following that race much. Unless the GOP nominates a real turkey (Gobble ? Just kidding), it’ll stay in our column. The district would’ve been solid GOP since 1962 had Watergate not occurred to knock out a weak incumbent (the late La Mar Baker) by a moderate Dem lady (who later endorsed Wamp). I, however, strongly oppose Wamp as a Gubernatorial candidate.
However, Robin Smith, the State Party Chairwoman (who presided over the historic win of the legislature over the rodent gerrymander, Traitor Kent’s antics aside), is mulling over a run, and is quite reviled by the left, so she may be a great candidate for us...
From the moonbat left-hate “Daily KOS” website:
“Robin Smith is similar to Michelle (sic) Bachman and Sarah Palin. She is the last person the folks in Tennessee need in Congress.”
That’s a fantastic endorsement right there.
I would be unable to say “Congressman Gobble” with a straight face.
Robin Smith is an AMNESTY lovin’ RINO
She feeds on public scenes...
Unless Tim proves otherwise, he’s our best bet so far...
Is she ? I just want to squeeze the most Conservative individual possible out of this district.
Tim would be the Conservative...
In all areas...
Come folks you gotta vote for this guy. There’s almost as headline fun there as there is for Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia.
“From the moonbat left-hate “Daily KOS” website:
“Robin Smith is similar to Michelle (sic) Bachman and Sarah Palin. She is the last person the folks in Tennessee need in Congress.”
That’s a fantastic endorsement right there.That’s a fantastic endorsement right there.”
Yup.
I hope Ron Ramsey or Blackburn gets in the governor’s race.
Oh it looks like Ramsey is in.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008874848_tennesseegovernorramsey.html
Ron can run without risking his Senate seat (and Lt Governorship). They had an embarrassing moment today when they listed the most powerful individuals in TN and Ramsey ranked as the most powerful pol in the state, ahead of Bredesen. It’s almost a given even the weakest-sister GOP nominee will likely take the Governorship this year. The Dems are in shambles and their new chairman is a moonbat whom a large number of old-school Dems and business types loathe. I hope Chip stays a LONG time. These guys will push the old DINOs (voters) into the GOP. After 2012, the Dems are going to be in the minority for a long time in this state, and they surely earned it. Of course, we also have to be careful we don’t turn into VA... All their hard work getting the state GOP downballot went to the crapper as of late and the Governorship race this year hinges on our putting our guy in there otherwise the rodents could put us back in permanent minority status there... Ugh.
“hey had an embarrassing moment today when they listed the most powerful individuals in TN and Ramsey ranked as the most powerful pol in the state, ahead of Bredesen.”
Hahahaha. Well your Governor’s veto is worthless right? Simple majority overrides (and Kentucky’s too?) so it’s one of the weakest Governorships.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.