Hilly Boy's Deception (as in the Lovely Tennessee Rep. Matthew Hill): Political News in NE Tenn

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Political News in NE Tenn

I was perusing an article from The Roll Call about who will fill Jenkins' seat and I found some interesting tidbits. I bet Phil Roe is not a big fan of PAC-funded war protester Matthew Hill.

Frontrunners Emerge for Jenkins’ Seat, June 7, 2006, By Elizabeth Brotherton and Lauren W. Whittington, Roll Call Staff

...Even though he, too, is a local office holder, [Phil] Roe is looking to paint himself as the political outsider in the crowded race by focusing heavily on his other experience - both as a doctor and Army veteran.

"You put the uniform on, you've crawled in the mud, it gives you a different viewpoint than someone who didn't serve," Roe said.

Roe has refused to take political action committee money, and he said his bicycle tour gives him a chance to really connect with voters.

"People don't feel like they have any input," he said. "They feel like they are just electing another suit."

Also, it looks like Jenkins was probably not a full-fledged Gregory puppet since he defeated Gregory's right-hand man.

...The 1st district has a history of close primary races. When Jenkins first ran for the seat in 1996, there were 10 other candidates in the field. He defeated his closest opponent, then-state Sen. Jim Holcomb, by only 320 votes.

I also found some info interesting about Steve Godsey (not Richard Venable, whose name I mistakenly wrote here on June 10). In May, someone wrote a letter to the editor at the Kingsport Times-News about the fact that Godsey had already spent $21,000 on his campaign for Sullivan County Mayor (a position that pays $90,000+) and none of that money went to Sullivan County businesses. A significant chunk didn't even go to businesses in Tennessee. He sure seems to have plenty of money. Too bad it isn't going to the county he wants to work for.

Venable, by the way, still appears to be the front runner for Jenkins' seat. I'm convinced he's all but won it, but I could be wrong. I'd rather it went to Roe.

# posted by salida stage right @ 12:25 AM