Dems Land Top Recruit: Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen Will Run For Senate

Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen speaks at a ceremony in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, to name an interstate exchange near the Volkswagen plant after himself and former Hamilton County Mayor Clau... Former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen speaks at a ceremony in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, to name an interstate exchange near the Volkswagen plant after himself and former Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey, right. The German automaker earlier in the day reaffirmed its commitment to build the new SUV at its Chattanooga plant in 2016 despite the fallout from a diesel emissions cheating scandal. (AP Photo/Erik Schelzig) MORE LESS
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Senate Democrats appear to have scored a recruiting coup that increases their slim chances at retaking the chamber.

Popular former Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) will run for Senate, according to two local newspapers, giving Democrats a heavy-hitting candidate for long-shot seat.

Bredesen, who served two terms and left office with strong approval ratings in 2010, gives Democrats a well-connected and well-liked candidate who likely has a singular ability to win in the Republican-heavy state.

Sen. Bob Corker’s (R-TN) decision to retire has created a slim opening for Democrats in the state. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is facing off against former Rep. Steven Fincher (R-TN) in the GOP primary.

National Democrats have courted Bredesen for months to run, seeing him as their best — and perhaps only — chance to win the seat in a state where President Trump won by 26 percentage points. And it sounds like they’ve got their man.

Senate Democrats are mostly on defense this year due to an unfavorable map with multiple red-state incumbents facing tough reelections. But putting Tennessee on the map gives them one narrow path back to the majority — especially if they can pull off an upset in Alabama’s special election next week.

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  1. I hope he doesn’t have any pics with women laying around

  2. Not dressing like that he won’t.

  3. Too bad Charles Manson died. Now, the GOP will have to look for another candidate.

  4. They have Marsha Blackburn. She’s as good as Manson any day.

  5. C’mon Tennesseans… you gotta come through for Daddy. And by Daddy I mean me of course; not the orange baboon-in-chief.

    Tennessee may be a Southern state, a Republican state, but Tennessee is pretty purple deep down… there are reasonable Republican AND effective Democrat politicians in and from your fair state. I lived in Nashville for years; I loved your state even though your prudish cops gave me a DUI for a minute quantity of weed… c’mon Tennesseans, do the right thing.

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