Tennessee Primary Results

Governor
Phil Bredesen (D) was easily renominated, with 89% of the vote. His nearest opponent received just 7% (that was the inestimable John Jay Hooker, who was running for both Governor and Senator...quite the guy).

On the Republican side, Jim Bryson won an easy victory over his six opponents, with 50% of the vote. His nearest opponent was David Farmer, with 16%.

Senate
As expected, Harold Ford, Jr. had no trouble winning the Democratic primary in this race, receiving 79% of the race. Gary Davis was his closest competition, with just 10%. And John Hooker? The man may have dreamt big, but he received just 6% of the vote.

On the Republican side, I was waaayyyyy off. I projected a close three way race between Bob Corker, Ed Bryant, and Van Hilleary, with Hilleary eventually pulling out the win. Well...Hilleary actually finished 3rd, with just 17% of the vote. Things were a little closer between Corker and Bryant, but not much: Corker took 48% to Bryant's 34%, and is the nominee. This is going to be one of the most interesting races in the country this fall.

CD 1
It's much too close to call on the Republican side of things in this race, with 521 votes separating leader David Davis and trailer Richard Venable. Things would get really interesting if there were a runoff, because both received just 22% of the vote, so 56% of the electorate would be up for grabs. Instead, there will probably be a recount and all that jazz, but Davis will almost certainly come out on top.

For the Democrats, 40% voted for Rick Trent, good enough to hand him the nomination. The biggest problem for the Dems is that there were about 17,500 votes cast on the Democratic side, and about 73,000 cast on the Republican side, a HUGE disparity that indicates the Dems goose is cooked come General Election time.

CD 2
Congressman John Duncan (R) easily won against Ralph McGill, 87%-13%. The Democratic race was much closer, with John Greene prevailing over Robert Scott 54%-46%. Once again, the numbers are telling...almost 63,000 Republican votes against just 17,500 Democratic votes. Duncan is safe.

CD 3
Congressman Zach Wamp (R) swatted away those gnats who were challenging him in the primary, taking 87% of the vote. His nearest opponents had just 5%. For the Democrats, a very close race resulted in a victory for Brent Benedict over Terry Stulce, 51%-49%.

CD 4
Congressman Lincoln Davis (D) made like his Republican buddies in other Tennessee districts and easily surived his primary, taking 86% of the vote. On the other side, Ken Martin (R) took 41%, with Alan Pedigo taking 31% and Don Strong clocking in with 27%. Martin will get the chance to lose to Davis in November, as this is a mirror image of the Republican districts; perfectly safe for the incumbent.

CD 5
Congressman Jim Cooper (D) took 92% of the vote on the way to being renominated for his office. His opponent in November will be Thomas Kovach (R), who was unopposed.

CD 6
Congressman Bart Gordeon (D) also took 92% of the vote. He will face Republican David R. Davis (not the same as the Davis who is the presumptive Republican nominee in CD 2) in November.

CD 7
Bill Morrison (D) took 60% of the vote on his way to winning the nomination over Randy Morris. Morrison will face Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R) in November.

CD 8
John Farmer (R) easily won his primary against Rory Bricco, 71%-29%, and will face Congressman John Tanner (D) in November.

CD 9
With 31% of the vote in a crowded, 15-person primary field, Steve Cohen won the Democratic battle to replace Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., who is running for Senate. His opponent will be Mark White (R), who took 63% of the Republican vote.