Crucial week for state GOP and Dems

The fate of Tennessee's Secretary of State and Election Commission largely rests on the work of both political parties this week

Email | Print By Ken Whitehouse

UPDATE 3:11 p.m. – Correcting reference to Randy Camp, who is not planning to run for Wilder seat

Forget the conflict over whether the Secretary of State for Tennessee should be appointed or elected. In the short term, that battle is shaping up this week. The same goes for the make-up of every county election commission in the state. It's do-or-die time for the political powers that be or wanna be.

This Thursday at high noon is the deadline for candidates to file for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Lamar Alexander as well as every U.S. House seat in Tennessee, even-numbered districts for the Tennessee State Senate and every seat in the State House. Both political parties are out beating the bushes to find candidates for every seat.

Should Republicans gain a numerical majority in the combined bodies of the State Senate and House, they would in turn have the numbers to name the Secretary of State come January. Additionally, they would take over control of the State Election Commission and thus would have the power of appointed majority of every county election commission in the state.

You heard that right. The fact that Davidson County votes overwhelmingly Democratic doesn't mean that the Davidson County Election Commission would stay that way. Intensely Republican Sullivan County has had a Democratic majority on its county election commission for decades based on the way the law is written.

At this time, there are 10 seats in the State House and two in the Senate that are open seats. Due to death, illness, retirement or seeking another office, these vacancies have made this a hot election year. Who knows, we could have more retirements in the next few days.

There is also the possibility of incumbents getting knocked off in the primary before we even reach the battle of targeted seats in November. Targeted seats are seats held by one party and coveted by the other to the extent that they pour financial resources in to help the challenger.

State House members not seeking re-election to the house this year are Republicans William Baird (Jacksboro), Chris Crider (Milan), Dolores Gresham (Somerville), Doug Overby (Maryville) and Parkey Strader (Knoxville). Gresham is going for the seat left open by the retirement of former Lt. Gov. John Wilder and Overby has decided to mount an intra-party challenge to State Sen. Raymond Finney.

On the Democratic side of the House, you have the retirements of Rob Briley (Nashville), Frank Buck (Dowelltown), Randy Rinks (Savannah), John Hood (Murfreesboro) and one seat that is open due to the death of Gary Rowe of Memphis.

Although the Senate only has two seats without an incumbent – Democrats Wilder of Somerville and Tommy Kilby of Wartburg – there also is anticipation over what decision former GOP caucus member and the lone independent Mike Williams will make about running.

Wilder's seat has yet to have a Democrat step forward. Expected candidate Randy Camp confirmed to NashvillePost.com this morning that he will not file for the seat.

Don't be foooled: The Senate races will have plenty of activity, but that will likely heat up after August when seats targeted by both parties come into play.