GOP State Senator ponders TN-6 run

State Senator Jim Tracy (R-16), chairman of the Transportation Committee, suggested recently that he might throw his hat in the ring for Congress against incumbent Bart Gordon, who has represented Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District since the mid-1980s.

In Larry Brinton-style, rumors of Tracy’s interest in the 6th District are not new. I heard his name being floated as a Republican candidate against Gordon several years ago. Tracy’s interest, should it manifest itself into a legitimate campaign, would certainly bring new interest to the 6th District. As of now, there are two other candidates in the race: Retired Major General Dave Evans and former Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman Lou Ann Zelenik. Kerry Roberts, a local business owner, is apparently also considering a run.

Should Tracy enter the race, it is obvious that it will likely be a two-man (er, man and woman) race against Tracy and Zelenik. Interestingly enough, this rivalry developed during the last election cycle: on the night of the state primaries, candidate for State House Lou Ann Zelenik dressed Senator Jim Tracy down at a Republican gathering, ultimately blaming him for her primary loss. (Note: This isn’t super-secret information, for those of you who maybe feel like I’m divulging something no one knew.)

I like Jim Tracy. And I’ve liked Jim Tracy since I got involved politically. In 2006 (and even before that), I got to know Senators Tracy and Ketron, two men with whom I do not always agree, but who have always given me straight answers.

So, if the primary were tomorrow, and I knew what I know today about the candidates who have currently announced or who have expressed interest, I would likely throw my support behind Tracy. He has the most (positive) name identification and has the ability to raise the most money, according to the 2008 Pre-General filings available here. (Tracy had $320,000 on hand at the time of this filing. In comparison, Senator Ketron had just under $170,000 on hand for the Pre-General filing for 2006.)

One drawback to Senator Tracy’s candidacy is that he carried legislation that would potentially facilitate passage of the Bible Theme Park scheme at the local level. Those who remember my involvement in that issue know that I was vehemently opposed to its development, but I am willing (as politically unforgetting as I am) to give Senator Tracy a pass on that issue. Luckily, the property in question does not lie in his own Senate district and will not likely be a factor in the election.

I have a strong desire to see Tennessee’s 6th District change hands in the next election cycle. I cannot emphasize that enough. But I hope that a credible, electable candidate comes out of the GOP primary.

The Daily News Journal also has the story.