Here's the chance to sideline that ninny!

True happiness is knowing you are a hypocrite. -- Ivor Cutler

Seppuku is in a way the ultimate awful libertarian act -- Frank Popper

Stimulating the economy as best we can!

This race wouldn't be a comparison of resumes.

Agee.
But I'm not going to send any of my hard-earned bucks to somebody on the basis of his picture and party affiliation.

Yeah, he needs a "bio" page on his website at least. Bill Young seems to know him. Maybe Bill can fill us in?

(He is practically invisible on Google. Most references come back to the few posts here that mention him. The only professional reference I could find was a Randy Walker who works at ORNL in the computer labs, and I have no idea if it's the same guy.)

But then again...

State Representative Stacey Campfield (R-Knoxville) announced today that he will seek the 7th senatorial district being vacated by retiring State Senator Tim Burchett. "Tim has been a vocal leader in the state for Knox county as the deligation chairman. I think I can make a smooth transition into that role having served for years as the deligations vice chairman." Campfield said. The 7th senatorial district covers most of North East and West Knox county...

deligations?
Good Lord, this guy has as little respect for the English language as for the truth.
He's going to slide seamlessly into the "role" of someone who has spent a lifetime building trust-based relationships?

Crazy Arms that reach to hold somebody new....

Also don't know anything about Sam Alexander who is running for Campfield's House seat. He doesn't have a website yet and google doesn't turn up anything on him, either.

DUH. Found a link to an 'about' page at the bottom of his website. He is the guy at ORNL. Has pretty good credentials:

Randy Walker from Knoxville, Tennessee is the District 7 Democratic Candidate for the State Senate. Randy works as a Program Manager and Business Developer for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he has worked for 21 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Transportation from The University of Tennessee.

Randy is married to Cindy Walker and they have two children, Christin, 22 currently attending East Tennessee State University, and, Jeremy, 20, who is currently attending the University of Tennessee.

Randy and Cindy have lived in the Concord/Farragut area for the past 21 years. They were both born and raised in Oak Ridge with a five year stint living and working in Chattanooga after college. Randy and Cindy have been active in the Knoxville community serving as youth sports coaches, youth sports commissioners, board members of the Farragut, Knox County and Tennessee State PTA, and as board members with Cedar Bluff Farragut Optimist Club where they founded the CBFO Volleyball Program. The first and only program of its kind designed to provide a diverse sports experience for all local youth.

In his professional career Randy has worked successfully to bring businesses and jobs to the East Tennessee area. He has worked as a business developer, college instructor, operations manager, program manager and business entrepreneur during his career and has hands on experience dealing with all levels of industry and government including the international community. He is internationally recognized as a subject matter expert in the development of technology-driven security and safety policies for the global freight supply chain. His career accomplishments have been featured in the national print, radio and television media.

Randy wants to bring his unique talent and diverse experience to the citizens of Knox County and to the Tennessee State Legislature to enable good sustainable jobs, a safe secure, and environmentally sound community and an effective pay as you go government.

the great thing this year is that some really solid citizens from our community think that it is time for smart, responsible citizens to step up and take an official leadership role. they are tired of certain current electeds who are not moving knoxville and east tennessee forward. i have spent a lot of time with randy and his family, and he has the "stuff" to beat stacey campfield. when voters look at his qualifications, experience and leadership that already stretch across the state, this will be an easy decision. i have not spent as much time with sam alexander yet, but i know he certainly has the qualifications and i hear great things from those who know him well! i am excited about these "new faces", though i know they have a little ground to gain in the area of name recognition, it won't be long and that will be forgotten!

(i am only slightly worried that randy and sam have not yet submitted their birth certificates for review)

I have personally met Randy Walker and his family twice and I am thrilled to tell you all that Randy is intent, motivated, and an excellent candidate. Here is a comparision:

Randy and his wife are both leaders in their community, both are professionals in their careers, and they have beautiful, talented, college student children who have already made them proud.

Stacy the Slumlord on the other hand owns slum rental houses and forced several UT students to live in one of his houses that earned 46 building code violations because he claimed they "signed a lease". He totally endangered these young men who had to live in a house with broken sewer pipes in the basement along with little heat. He has no wife or family and that may be a good thing. He has submitted bills in our TN Legislature that have embarassed this entire State.

Although I don't live in Farragut, I will be glad to work for Randy. He would be an excellent, professional, intelligent candidate with honesty and integrity who will serve Knox County so well! And I told him so at our Democratic Celebration at the Zoo! Go Randy! We need Stacy out. We need you in!

I wanted Rob Frost to run, but it ain't gonna happen.

I met Randy @ the opening of the HQs.
Plus we've exchanged emails.

I'm impressed by his grasp of real issues.
Ya know..the issues that are on voter's minds.
Jobs & Schools & Health Care.

Randy & his wife have raised a family.
Be active in their kids lives.
Coached sports.

Randy's in a service club.

And Randy goes to work..& has been
his whole adult life.

Now there's nothing about what I've said about
Randy that sets him apart from thousands
upon thousands of voters in the district because
they have done the same thing.

And I dont think Randy knows a damn thing about running
for office.

Nor do 99.9% of the citizens Randy seeks to represent.

What exactly does Stacey have in common with the voters?
Not much!

But Stacey sure as the devil knows how to politic &
he's damn good @ it.

Randy does not have an easy row to hoe.
Stacey's one tuff customer to beat.

But yes we can put Walker in the State Senate!

Common Sense for a Change!

Walker may be a nice guy but how many people ever heard of him previous to today even in Democrat circles? The senate district is quite Republican. Like it or not Campfield has the name ID that will cost $200 grand just to get close and that is if Campfield doesn't do a thing. That isn't likely.

I wouldn't bet the farm.

Both Stacey & Randy have got to win the primary first.

I don't want Stacy Campfield representing me in the Senate.

You got an amen from here in the Fort!

I look foward to working with you on this one, Cortney.

Former City of Knoxville Director of Administration - Ellen Adcock - is planning a run for the State Senate seat. She told WATE today that she is "strongly leaning toward running in the Republican primary." She won't officially announce for a few months.

I dont know if Ellen's a Republican or a Democrat.
Or none of the above.

I supported her for city council & never ask because
in city races I really do think non partisan means
non partisan.

But I did see Ellen @ Truman Day dinners but that
doesn't mean anything.

She did have a problem with the neighborhood + the
anti Ashe folks in the race for city council & those
folks voted Hall.

We will have to see how both state senate primaries playout.

For example,if Ellen upsets Stacey will the State Democrats
pull out?

Will Walker prove in the next year he's up to it
or not? If not the Dollarcrats will not write checks.

How will Burchett handle the Ellen vs Stacey question
in the runup to the county primary? Or did Burchett
already committ to Stacey on Politics Knoxville?

What will Haslem's supporters do in the runup to the
State primary? Ellen or Stacey or we support the Republican
nominee?

Stay tuned