Campfield is actually adept at stirring up the class hatred and envy in his district (ie-the Steve Halls, Lloyd Daughertys, etc, etc). Most of his most avid supporters think he represents them better than those they consider "elitist."

That's how he successfully plays it.

Also related.

The ONLY way to beat Stacey is to out work him & thats easier said than done.

Because Stacey has a 6 year headstart on working the doors & he hits 'em 365/24/7.

My advice..If you want to beat Stacey start working the doors this spring & dont stop till 8pm election day.

Be the other nice candidate that cared enough to stop by.

Candidates running against Stacey bring to mind that classic SNL skit on the Dukakis-HW Bush '88 race when the person playing Dukakis crys out in frustration:

"I can't believe I'm losing to this guy."

IMO,candidates running against Stacey all run I not him campaigns & think it's enough.

It's not.Stacey wins & folks pull their hair out blaming everybody but themselves.

My advice would be HIT the doors & explain to the voters YOU are not interested in these crazytown hijinks.

YOU want to go to Nashville & get some common sense things done on the economy & education.Our problems are way too big for YOUR state rep to spend one iota of time looking for birth certificates ect ect ect.

Personally I like ole Stacey & I respect that he wins elections.

But I would like nothing more than to help a Democratic candidate beat him on election day.

I've told Stacey that & he just grins.

Then beats the fool out of every candidate that comes his way...Republican or Democrat.

Hit the DOORS..Hit the DOORS..Hit the DOORS!!!!

Hit the DOORS..Hit the DOORS..Hit the DOORS!!!!

That's a simplification of why he wins.

It's a little more complex than that, and it involves the same motivations and class hatreds that inspire and protect the Lamberts and Pinkstons of the county.

Metulj & Gary I would run a campaign against Stacey like this:

1.start now
2.doors..doors..doors
3.a message of common sense government

Thats what I tell people who ask me.

What would you tell 'em?

Stacey Campfield is one in a long line of culture war Nixonland candidates who pray on working class sensibilities that "elitists" are somehow screwing them over. Stacey Campfield is basically an elected version of Jim Adkisson replete with all the pop right wing sociology.

The way to beat Nixonland candidates is to go door to door and put out the INEFFECTIVENESS of them, and the CONCRETE PLANS to do something else for the district.

Tell somebody that Campfield does and cares nothing about their economic problems, introduces dozens of useless bills that get ignored, but that the alternative will offer real solutions in Nashville - then you've got a hearing.

Basically, drive the point home that Campfield is not addressing their needs.

Another effective tack is to highlight his slumlording. It's one thing to back a guy because he "hates the libruls." It's another to back a guy who can't even keep up his own property - who disrespects his own property.

I think there's truth in what Bill says. I've heard astute political observers say Stacey does the door to door thing harder than anybody - and he's smart about it. All people who don't think much about issues know is that he's that nice young man who came to see them.

Since he already has the rabid right on board, that's plenty enough votes to win.

Stacey Campfield is basically an elected version of Jim Adkisson replete with all the pop right wing sociology.

Please. I detest Stacey, but comparing him to a domestic terrorist is way over the line.

The problem of Stacey X is nothing that a bit of redistricting wouldn't cure. How about getting Sequoyah (24) out of Frank Niceley's district (for gosh sakes) and into Stacey's.

Also, the problem may solve itself if Stacey gets really ambitious and goes for Burchett's senate seat. -- s.

Here's some satire Stacey's long-time "fans" may enjoy.

Liberty and justice for all.

My home

and he's smart about it.

I've heard that when he goes door-to-door, and if he meets the homeowner who's wearing a shirt that says "Bush S****," he'll say he likes your shirt. If you're wearing a shirt that says "Obama S****," he'll say he likes your shirt.

I agree with the redistricting issue. Look at the precincts and Campfield pulls strongly out of: Norwood and part of Cedar Bluff. That's a strong blue collar element that, although strongly dependent on the aggregate demand (like the rest of us) created by Oak Ridge and UT, likes to think they're all free-enterprise, small business, uber-capitalists.

They also feel that they're ignored like the Silent Majority. It's very Nixonian.

How would I plan to beat him? Sorry. While I enjoy the discussion here, Campfield will be up for some kind of election in the future, and I don't plan to help him.

I just feel he's stupid.
Like most repub office holders.

This state senator could give Campfield a run for his money: the "radical gay movement" = "They're probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of."

Brian A.
I'd rather be cycling.

Rep. Stacey Campfield
Statement of Disclosure of Interests (ss-8004)
(link...)

Date of Filing 2008-03-26
Filer Contact Information
Stacey Campfield
Representative
2011 Flagler,
Knoxville, Tennessee 37912

Sources of Income
Part A
Premier Enterprises
2011 Flagler , Knoxville, TN with recipients Filer

Part B None

Positions Held
Premier Enterprises Owner from Jan 1998 to Mar 2008
(so who now owns Premier Enterprises and pays Campfiled's salary?)

Blind Trust None
InvestmentsNone
Legislative Expenses None
Lobbying None
Professional Services None
Retainer Fees None
Bankruptcy None
Loans AmSouth with loan recipient Filer

***
Online Campaign Finance Reports for CAMPFIELD, STACEY
Page 20 results found,
(link...)

***
Apalachin Community Press
Stacey Campfield Wins Judo Championship December 1998
(link...)

Stacey Campfield, son of Lee and Dale Campfield of Apalachin, won the Tennessee state Judo Championship in competition held recently at Nashville. Campfield, who wrestled at Vestal Central High School, is also a blackbelt in karate, and was the winner of the North Carolina Invitational State Championship in his first year of competition in 1997.

Campfield was owner of the STC Drag Racing Series at Shangri-La Motor Speedway in Owego, prior to moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is a restoration-area contractor in the rejuvenation of the Old City section of that city.

Campfield graduated from Vestal High School and the State University of New York.

Former Apalachin Resident Elected to Tennessee Legislature
(link...)
Community Press (Tioga County, NY), February 2005

 Stacey Campfield, a former resident of Apalachin, recently was sworn in as the second-youngest legislator from Tennessee in ceremonies at the Nashville capitol. 
 In November, Campfield, a Republican, was elected to represent  the 18th District of the Tennessee House of Representatives with 65% of the vote.

Campfield, the son of Apalachin's Therese Lee Campfield and Dale Campfield, has lived in Tennessee for 13 years, and is also involved with a Knoxville-area historic remodeling business. He graduated from Vestal High School and Empire College. He has lived in Tennessee for 13 years.

Residents - Consumer Information
(link...)

Non-health Licensee Verify License or Registration (Tennessee Contractors Licenses)
(link...)

***

(Self-loans to Campfield campaign suggesting that Campfield doesn't not have broad support of his constitiuents:)
Amended 2008 4th Quarter for STACEY CAMPFIELD submitted on 01/26/2009
(link...)

OUTSTANDING LOANS $15,293.49  8 items found, displaying all items. 1

Loans Beg Balance Paid End Balance*
Self-Endorsed $1,039.86 $0.00 $1,039.86
Self-Endorsed $2,930.07 $0.00 $2,930.07
Self-Endorsed $1,038.55 $0.00 $1,038.55
Self-Endorsed $397.64 $0.00 $397.64
Self-Endorsed $2,397.96 $0.00 $2,397.96
Self-Endorsed $51.08 $0.00 $51.08
Self-Endorsed $1,386.70 $0.00 $1,386.70
Self-Endorsed $5,000.00 $0.00 $5,000.00 8 items found, displaying all items. 1

Rep. Stacey Campfield
Class of 1986
(link...)

From local entrepreneur to public servant, Stacey Campfield has carried his personal ideals with him ever since he won the award for Best
Sportsmanship as a varsity wrestler his senior year at Vestal High School.
As a second-term House member of Tennessee’s 104th and 105th General Assemblies, Rep. Campfield serves on the Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee. He also sits on the Government Operations Committee and the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee. While in office, Rep. Campfield has received various awards, appointments and other recognition for his political efforts, including the 2004 Friend of Taxpayers award, the Whip Leadership Team appointment and designation as the Assistant Chairman of the Knox County Delegation of Legislators.

In addition to his high school and college wrestling career, Rep. Campfield
has a black belt in karate, a third-degree black belt in judo and jujitsu and
was named eighth in the world for judo in 2003. He is head coach of the
Judo Club at the University of Tennessee.

In the community, Rep. Campfield has volunteered with the American Red
Cross, United Way, Citizens Police Academy, Knox County’s “Read with
Me” program, Knoxville Education Summit, Knox Heritage Committee and
other humanitarian organizations throughout his life.

Now a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, Rep. Campfield has been featured
on Fox News, CNN and MSNBC as well as several nationally syndicated
radio shows such as Rush Limbaugh, Alan Combs and Michael Reagan. He
has also been mentioned in national publications such as USA Today and
The Washington Times.

***

Apalachin Community Press
Stacey Campfield Wins Judo Championship December 1998
(link...)

Stacey Campfield, son of Lee and Dale Campfield of Apalachin, won the Tennessee state Judo Championship in competition held recently at Nashville. Campfield, who wrestled at Vestal Central High School, is also a blackbelt in karate, and was the winner of the North Carolina Invitational State Championship in his first year of competition in 1997.

Campfield was owner of the STC Drag Racing Series at Shangri-La Motor Speedway in Owego, prior to moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, where he is a restoration-area contractor in the rejuvenation of the Old City section of that city.

Campfield graduated from Vestal High School and the State University of New York.