For the third straight campaign filing, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, received more contributions than every other gubernatorial candidate combined.¶
Blackburn reported raising more than $2.7 million this quarter, following her first-quarter contributions report of $1.2 million and last year’s $5.3 million in reported contributions.¶
Her opponents in next month’s GOP primary raised notably less this quarter, with Congressman John Rose, R-TN, reporting $259,227 in contributions and State Representative Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, reporting $80,353.¶
Rose Spends Big with Own Money
Campaign reports show Rose loaned his campaign nearly $4 million this quarter. That follows the congressman’s $5 million personal loan last year.¶
Rose is using those loans to outspend Blackburn by a margin of 7-1, according to campaign reports. Rose reported $7.2 million in campaign expenditures this quarter compared to Blackburn’s $1.1 million.¶
New Ads
Last week, Blackburn unveiled the latest campaign ad that those contributions are funding. In it, Blackburn touted her commitment to preventing Chinese nationals from purchasing Tennessee property.¶
“It doesn’t take a fortune cookie to figure it out; here in Tennessee, we’re going to stop communist China and protect Tennessee land,” said Blackburn in the ad.¶
Rose’s campaign also released a new video this month, highlighting his proposals to address the challenges Tennessee’s growth is creating. Rose wants to control property taxes for longtime residents and make sure growth pays for new expenses.¶
“We have to slow things down, or we have to be smarter about the way that we grow, or some of both,” said Rose in the video.¶
Jerri Green Outraises Some Republicans
Democrats fielded only one candidate who had previously held elected office, and for the first time, Memphis Councilwoman Jerri Green outraised some of the Republicans in the race.¶
Green reported $303,902 in contributions for the second quarter, dwarfing the combined contribution totals of every other Democrat on the ballot and more than Rose and Fritz this quarter.¶
She also released a video ad this week that will soon hit TV airwaves, which focuses on her plans to improve the economy.¶
“As your governor, I’ll work to lower the cost of living, take on special interests who are profiting off of families who are struggling, and build a Tennessee where hard work pays off,” said Green in the ad.¶
Other Competitive Primaries
Voters will also be taking part in primaries for every Tennessee House seat and odd-numbered Tennessee Senate seats next month. Last week’s campaign reports also provided important information on some of the races political insiders are watching.¶
In East Tennessee’s Senate District 1, incumbent Senator Adam Lowe, R- Calhoun, reported $87,225 in contributions this quarter, leading his Republican primary opponents Teresa Congioloso, who reported $10,150, and Dennis Beavers, who reported $9,450.¶
In the open House District 8, Republican Tony Crisp reported $82,280 in contributions, while his GOP primary opponent, Jordan Henderson, reported $12,600.¶
East Tennessee’s open House District 11 saw Republican Kenny Cody report $37,073 in contributions this quarter, while his GOP primary opponent, Jeff Fancher, reported $2,600.¶
Knoxville’s House District 18 includes two challengers to Representative Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, in the GOP primary.Davis reported $38,636 in contributions this quarter, while challenger Brent Jones reported $58,950, and Elliot Schucheardt reported $948.¶
In East Tennessee’s open House District 31, Republican Andy Swafford reported $32,784, and his GOP primary opponent, Harold “Bo” McCawley, reported $4,089.¶
Middle Tennessee’s open House District 45 has three challengers in the GOP primary. Brian Stewart reported $38,264 this quarter, while his opponent, Chris Hughes, has yet to file a report, and John Gentry reported $2,961.¶
Nashville’s vacant House District 59 seat drew four challengers in the Democratic primary. Angie Lawless reported $54,085 in contributions this quarter, while her opponent, Mark Proctor, reported $44,353, Beth West reported $31,709, and Rick Ewing reported $31,459.¶
Representative Lee Reeves, R-Franklin, drew one challenger in the House District 65 GOP primary. Reeves reported $85,600 in contributions this quarter while his opponent, Michelle Foreman, reported $11,669.¶
In the vacant Middle Tennessee House District 78 race, Republican Perry Keenan reported $41,047 in contributions while his GOP primary opponent, John Louallen, reported $29,970.¶
The Democratic primary for West Tennessee’s vacant House District 80 has three challengers. Andrea Bond-Johnson reported $12,530 in contributions this quarter, while Bethany Miller reported $5,623, and Shelia Godwin did not file a report.¶
West Tennessee’s vacant House District 81 has two challengers in the GOP primary. Jason Fleming reported $11,885, while his opponent, Brett Giannini, reported $5,110.¶
Representative Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill, drew one challenger in the House District 92 GOP primary. Warner reported $2,200 in contributions, while his opponent, Vincent Cuevas, reported no contributions. Warner is also running for Tennessee’s newly redrawn 9th Congressional District.¶
Early voting in the August primary begins this Friday.¶
