The Next Governor of Tennessee
Thursday, August 13, 2009
My name is John Little and I write weekly political blogs weekly about what’s going on locally, through the state and through the country. From President Barack Obama to governors, even down to your local councilman. My first writings are going to touch on the political climate in Tennessee’s gubernatorial race. As history has it, the governor’s mansion usually interchanges every eight years between Democrats and Republicans. But this gubernatorial race it seems as if there is going to be a real game changer and the past can’t stop what change is bringing. I will give a brief overview on the democratic gubernatorial candidates so you can see whose has the opportunity to guide Tennessee the next four possibly eight years.
Jim Kyle
Senator Kyle recently entered the race as of Tuesday, August 11th. He has served various leadership roles in the state senate and hails from Memphis, TN. Kyle has various connections through out the state and if he unifies Memphis, TN, he has the best chance to win. That’s a big “IF”. Kyle has the knowledge and knows how to continue where the previous leadership left off. Don’t know how good his fundraising will be but that’ll tell you how long he will stay in the race.
Kim Mc Millan
Mrs. Mc Millan has been in the race the longest and to me is the most diverse. She was State House Majority Leader; she served in Governor Bredesens administration, practicing attorney, college professor and family woman with children. With all the pro’s for Mc Millan, I’d like to think that she’s holding back from pulling out her secret weapon, but with all her contacts, she lagging in fundraising. One thing I have learned from knowing this woman is that you never count her out.
Ward Cammack
Mr. Ward Cammack has been a successful business man for the past twenty years. His campaign has typically been about being green. The wild card to Mr. Cammack is that he used to be a bona fide republican. I guess he woke up and smelled the coffee or he just got tired of being an elephant. Either way Cammack is serious or he said he’s willing to self finance if need be. Recently he has been releasing his campaign plans to turn the state around and make it profitable again. Although his fundraising has been lack luster as well, I don’t think you should count him out since he can drop two million easy. That could go a long way in a crowded primary.
Roy Herron
State Senator Roy Herron like two of his primary competitors are from West TN. Senator Herron has been involved in politics for a long time and is very credible when it comes to knowing how to effectively lead. Honestly, on paper he’s a great candidate. Former pastor, attorney and many said he was the protégé of former governor Ned Ray Mc Wherter. Like his senate counterpart he has the knowledge of the legislature to continue where the previous administration left off. The last financial disclosure Herron had impressive numbers, but the report revealed there was a big share from his senate account. All in all, he still has a good amount of money in the bank and will be trying to make his name stronger in the east part of the state and work to get all the support from his West TN competitors.
Mike Mc Wherter
Last, but not least, I offer you Mike Mc Wherter. Self proclaimed front runner, top fundraiser, successful business owner, and family man. I also forgot to mention that his dad was a former governor and was loved from each tip of the state and still is today. He has the staff in place that worked on Governor Bredesens race as well as most major races in the state. Although he is from West TN like the other two state senators, he has an advantage because his dad is very much respected throughout the whole state. If all the candidates stay in the race till the end, I think it will be favorable for Mike. Not saying he will win, but favorable.
Although all of these are great candidates, there are still rumors of more. Maybe we do, need some more candidates who bring more star power and has the ability to out raise the republicans. Because sadly most of the republican candidates have outraised most of the democratic candidates by 400,000 or more and money talks. What if we had an African American candidate? Someone who had credibility and the ability fundraise to get the message out. Any takers????
Jim Kyle
Senator Kyle recently entered the race as of Tuesday, August 11th. He has served various leadership roles in the state senate and hails from Memphis, TN. Kyle has various connections through out the state and if he unifies Memphis, TN, he has the best chance to win. That’s a big “IF”. Kyle has the knowledge and knows how to continue where the previous leadership left off. Don’t know how good his fundraising will be but that’ll tell you how long he will stay in the race.
Kim Mc Millan
Mrs. Mc Millan has been in the race the longest and to me is the most diverse. She was State House Majority Leader; she served in Governor Bredesens administration, practicing attorney, college professor and family woman with children. With all the pro’s for Mc Millan, I’d like to think that she’s holding back from pulling out her secret weapon, but with all her contacts, she lagging in fundraising. One thing I have learned from knowing this woman is that you never count her out.
Ward Cammack
Mr. Ward Cammack has been a successful business man for the past twenty years. His campaign has typically been about being green. The wild card to Mr. Cammack is that he used to be a bona fide republican. I guess he woke up and smelled the coffee or he just got tired of being an elephant. Either way Cammack is serious or he said he’s willing to self finance if need be. Recently he has been releasing his campaign plans to turn the state around and make it profitable again. Although his fundraising has been lack luster as well, I don’t think you should count him out since he can drop two million easy. That could go a long way in a crowded primary.
Roy Herron
State Senator Roy Herron like two of his primary competitors are from West TN. Senator Herron has been involved in politics for a long time and is very credible when it comes to knowing how to effectively lead. Honestly, on paper he’s a great candidate. Former pastor, attorney and many said he was the protégé of former governor Ned Ray Mc Wherter. Like his senate counterpart he has the knowledge of the legislature to continue where the previous administration left off. The last financial disclosure Herron had impressive numbers, but the report revealed there was a big share from his senate account. All in all, he still has a good amount of money in the bank and will be trying to make his name stronger in the east part of the state and work to get all the support from his West TN competitors.
Mike Mc Wherter
Last, but not least, I offer you Mike Mc Wherter. Self proclaimed front runner, top fundraiser, successful business owner, and family man. I also forgot to mention that his dad was a former governor and was loved from each tip of the state and still is today. He has the staff in place that worked on Governor Bredesens race as well as most major races in the state. Although he is from West TN like the other two state senators, he has an advantage because his dad is very much respected throughout the whole state. If all the candidates stay in the race till the end, I think it will be favorable for Mike. Not saying he will win, but favorable.
Although all of these are great candidates, there are still rumors of more. Maybe we do, need some more candidates who bring more star power and has the ability to out raise the republicans. Because sadly most of the republican candidates have outraised most of the democratic candidates by 400,000 or more and money talks. What if we had an African American candidate? Someone who had credibility and the ability fundraise to get the message out. Any takers????
Labels: Governors Race