Sources: McWherter out of U.S. Senate race

Son of former governor opts not to challenge Alexander, according to sources

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

NashvillePost.com has learned that Mike McWherter, son of popular former Democratic Tennessee Governor Ned McWherter, will not challenge incumbent Senator Lamar Alexander (R) next year. Sources say that the Jackson, Tenn. businessman came to his final decision over the Thanksgiving holiday.

McWherter, who owns a Budweiser distributorship among other business interests, had been making fundraising calls over the course of the summer and early fall and was expected to formally enter the race next year.

For his part, Alexander had kept his mouth shut on the possibility of facing McWherter, only allowing that he would find it "awkward" given the respect he has for the elder McWherter.

With the departure of Mike McWherter from the race, Tennessee Democrats are left without a ready candidate with independent means to mount a challenge to Alexander.

Previously, former Tennessee Democratic party chairman Bob Tuke, and Nashville attorney Kevin Doherty had expressed interest in running but stated they would not challenge McWherter. There is no word if they are still considering a run.

Some Democratic insiders this morning have stated that they hope that Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-Pall Mall) would mount a challenge to Alexander, but he has long been identified as a possible contender for the 2010 governor's race.

Neither McWherter nor any of his representatives have been reachable this morning for comment. NashvillePost.com will update this story as more information becomes available.