The gubernatorial campaign for Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, sent a pointed shot at her rival in next month’s GOP primary on Tuesday.¶
Campaign manager Ward Baker released an internal poll of 800 likely GOP primary voters from June 28-30 that showed Blackburn holding more than a 30 percent lead over Congressman John Rose, R-TN, in the race, despite Rose’s 7-1 spending advantage, as reported in the latest campaign filing.¶
That internal poll showed Blackburn with 51 percent support, compared to Rose’s 20 percent and 12 percent for State Representative Monty Fritts, R-Kingston. Baker said in a memo that the campaign’s initial poll in January of last year had Rose with 13 percent of the support.¶
“Rose has spent $9,399,264 on his Gubernatorial campaign to move a grand total of 7 percent, which is within the margin of error. With that said, even on a total of 7 percent movement that would represent Rose spending over $1.3 million for every single percentage point he has moved on the ballot,” wrote Baker. “The Rose campaign believes they can buy this election with their candidates’ money – but Tennesseans disagree.”¶
Where the Money is Coming From
The memo also keyed in on a difference in how the two campaigns have been funded.¶
Blackburn’s campaign says the contribution totals show she’s the “grassroots candidate in this race.” According to the campaign, Blackburn has received more than 62,000 contributions compared to just over 2,000 for Rose, and 74 percent of those contributions for Blackburn have come from Tennessee.¶
Campaign records show Rose loaned his own campaign nearly $9 million, while Blackburn has relied on contributions.¶
Rose Campaign Claims Momentum
Blackburn’s internal poll shows a different race from the internal poll released by Rose’s campaign last week.¶
That poll, conducted around the same time as Blackburn’s, showed a tightening race, with Blackburn holding 44 percent of the support, down from 51 percent in early June. Rose’s support grew from 23 percent to 29 percent during that period, according to the poll. Rose Campaign Chair Chris Devaney said at the time that the poll showed Rose is building momentum.¶
“Eight years ago, almost no one gave Bill Lee a chance. He started in single digits, was written off by the pundits, and surged in the final weeks to win going away. I was there. John Rose is on that same path — and the numbers now prove it,” wrote Devaney.¶
Rose Poll Questioned
Rose’s poll faced questions from an independent organization that claimed its polls conducted during the same time showed much stronger support for Blackburn.¶
Tennesseans for Student Success Action said none of its six polls conducted in individual House districts and specific counties found Blackburn with less than a 63 percent favorability among likely GOP primary voters. Some of those polls found her with more than 70 percent favorability.¶
Early voting in the race begins on Friday.¶
The Tennessee Firefly is a project of and supported by Tennesseans for Student Success.¶
