If Republicans are really going to take back the House and wrest control from Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Tennessee's 8th Congressional District is almost a must-win. It has long been considered one of 20 or so "toss up" seats that will present a main battleground in the November general election. Because part of the district leaks into northern Shelby County and much of it receives its TV network feeds from Memphis stations, we're hearing a lot these days about the main Republican contenders -- Jackson physician Ron Kirkland, Memphis radiologist and radio magnate George Flinn and Stephen Fincher, the gospel-singing farmer from Frog Jump that the the Washingtion, D.C., Republican establishment is supporting. That campaign, to be decided in the Aug. 5 primary, has grown gradually more hostile.
And Democratic state senator Roy Herron, who will be his party's nominee, is loving it. Today his campaign announced it had surpassed more than $1.5 million in fundraising and has $1.2 million cash on hand. Republicans in Shelby County will acknowledge they are worried about this seat, because they see the Republicans beating one another up and Herron biding his time, digging trenches and saving his best ammunition.
The release from the Herron campaign, with a subhead that reads "Herron banks funds for General Election while Republicans attack and spend freely in nasty primary, is after the jump.
And Democratic state senator Roy Herron, who will be his party's nominee, is loving it. Today his campaign announced it had surpassed more than $1.5 million in fundraising and has $1.2 million cash on hand. Republicans in Shelby County will acknowledge they are worried about this seat, because they see the Republicans beating one another up and Herron biding his time, digging trenches and saving his best ammunition.
The release from the Herron campaign, with a subhead that reads "Herron banks funds for General Election while Republicans attack and spend freely in nasty primary, is after the jump.
PRESS RELEASE
Herron Campaign Tops $1.5 Million
Herron banks funds for General Election while
Republicans attack and spend freely in nasty primary
Dresden, Tenn. -- Former minister, small town attorney and businessman Roy Herron surpassed more than $1.5 million in total campaign funds raised in his bid for Congress in Tennessee's 8th District.
Herron received more than $350,000 in contributions in the three-month quarter ending June 30. The campaign now has more than $1,200,000 cash on hand.
"People are strongly on board with Roy's ideas for growing jobs in Tennessee and cutting spending in Washington, and they are actively supporting the campaign," said Brandon Puttbrese, Herron spokesman. "People know that Roy, a guy with almost 400,000 miles on his truck, doesn't waste his money and won't waste their money.
"The Republican candidates are tearing each other to bits in their nasty primary and spending money like drunken sailors," Puttbrese said. "We will be well prepared for the General Election no matter who staggers out of the Republican primary."
More than 2,000 individuals have contributed to the Herron campaign, including Independents, Democrats and Republicans from all 19 counties of the 8th District.
"I am humbled by the support from across the district because I know many families here are hurting," Herron said. "I am in this race for them. I will work in Congress to get our economy back on track and create jobs again in Tennessee."
Herron Campaign Tops $1.5 Million
Herron banks funds for General Election while
Republicans attack and spend freely in nasty primary
Dresden, Tenn. -- Former minister, small town attorney and businessman Roy Herron surpassed more than $1.5 million in total campaign funds raised in his bid for Congress in Tennessee's 8th District.
Herron received more than $350,000 in contributions in the three-month quarter ending June 30. The campaign now has more than $1,200,000 cash on hand.
"People are strongly on board with Roy's ideas for growing jobs in Tennessee and cutting spending in Washington, and they are actively supporting the campaign," said Brandon Puttbrese, Herron spokesman. "People know that Roy, a guy with almost 400,000 miles on his truck, doesn't waste his money and won't waste their money.
"The Republican candidates are tearing each other to bits in their nasty primary and spending money like drunken sailors," Puttbrese said. "We will be well prepared for the General Election no matter who staggers out of the Republican primary."
More than 2,000 individuals have contributed to the Herron campaign, including Independents, Democrats and Republicans from all 19 counties of the 8th District.
"I am humbled by the support from across the district because I know many families here are hurting," Herron said. "I am in this race for them. I will work in Congress to get our economy back on track and create jobs again in Tennessee."
If Flinn wins in August, he will not be outspent in November.