Alexander Gets New Democratic Opponent

Attorney Bob Tuke, the former chairman of the Tennessee Democratic party, announced today that he will be running against Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), after initially opting out of the race last December.

Tuke has already signed up famed Democratic consultant Joe Trippi to join his campaign team as his Internet and media consultant. 

"I realize we are starting later than some other campaigns nationally and that's why I felt a need to put together a team of battle-hardened political veterans with a balance of national experience and Tennessee knowledge," Tuke said in a statement.

He will be facing former Knox County clerk Mike Padgett in the Democratic primary.

Alexander is heavily favored to hold onto his seat. A first-term senator, he comfortably won the seat with 54 percent of the vote in 2002 over then-Democratic Rep. Bob Clement. The state gave President Bush 57 percent of the vote in the 2004 presidential election.