District 83 Up for Grabs

There are six Republican candidates for TN House District 83 running in the primary. The crowded field is due to RINO Joe Kent deciding to retire.

Joe Kent is a long-time incumbent, so why is he calling it quits? IMHO it is because Chuck Bates gave him a run for his money two years ago and Joe knows he wouldn't win this time because Chuck is letting people know about his RINO voting record (like his vote for an income tax). Chuck has essentially been campaigning for two years now but he faces a lot of competition.

All six candidates spoke at the Lunch Hour Republicans meeting on Thursday and I took some rather hurried and incomplete notes, which I have detailed below. But first:

AlphaPatriot Analysis:
Pat Collins seems like a nice guy and I'd like to have him as a neighbor, but not as a rep -- not ever. Stan Peppenhorst was unimpressive. Mark White seemed competent but overly focused on small business. Brian Kelsey was OK but didn't appear to have solid solutions. Charles McDonald gave an unimpressive presentation but did well in follow-up questions (which I did not even attempt to transcribe because each candidate's answer was so brief -- except for McDonald, who appeared capable of talking all day if you let him). Chuck Bates had the best list of talking points but didn't propose solid answers (then again, neither did anybody).

AlphaPatriot Pick: Chuck Bates
I don't know that I would have picked Chuck if my only contact was from this lunch, although it seems extremely likely. He had a good grasp of the range of problems facing this state. His only problem is that he didn't project well (being in radio that is understandable -- you can't do that in front of a microphone).

In addition, I've known Chuck for several years. I supported him in his campaign two years ago in which he almost unseated an incumbent because he worked really, really hard to do so. I've heard Chuck talk about his political views and theories (can you say "confrontational politics"?) and his values. I personally know how hard he works and how passionate he is about the issues. He will make a fine public servant.

Brian Kelsey, lawyer.
Worked in the White House Counsel’s Office during the first Bush's administration and also worked in the offices of Senator Frist, Senator Thompson and Congressman Bryant. He touted the idea of bringing an attitude of service to the office, the fact that he brings political experience and the ability to build coalitions. Talking points:

• Taxes: We are overtaxed and yet the state is running a surplus. These funds should be refunded to the taxpayers.
• Education: Need to prioritize funding and direct it to the teachers and classrooms, not administration and waste.
• Jobs: Need to bring jobs to the state. One way to do this is to continue to fix things like workman's comp.

Stan Peppenhorst, educator for 33 years and active in protecting neighborhoods.
Talking points:

• Education: Train and reskill workers in Tennessee reeducation centers.
• Families are important
• Perseverance: Quoted Edison as saying, "We haven't failed. We've tried a thousand things that haven't worked so we are that much closer." [Actual quote is "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." but you get the gist.]
• Experience: Said that he served on several state committees. If you stress education then technology and jobs won't leave the state.

Chuck Bates, Executive Vice-President of Information Radio Network
Served in the first Bush White House in the Office of Political Affairs. Talking points:

• Experience: Strong background in finance and economy.
• Taxes are the number one issue. $277 billion surplus over the last ten months.
• Jobs: Tennessee is not a "business-friendly" environment
• TennCare: $167 billion this year for TennCare, and is projected to take 90% of the budget in ten years.
• Qualities: Common sense and leadership are needed in Nashville
• Tort reform: Losers of frivolous lawsuits should pay the costs of bringing the suit.

Pat Collins
Talking points:

• Healthcare for senior citizens and everyone else (facts missed due to FedEx flight overhead)
• Taxes: Back bill brought up by Bryson [no doubt a reference to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights]
• Education: Needs fixing
• Crime: Needs money to stop crime
• Patience: There is no quick fix
• Dedication: Collins is retired so he can dedicate 24 x 7 x 365 to the job

Mark White, Educator and businessman
Talking points:

• Communication: All the candidates have a vision, we need someone who can communicate it.
• Experience: 54 years old and taught for 30 years. Was a teacher, principal, child support counselor, and then [I think] provided counseling services as part of a private business startup.
• Taxes: Held up a TN tax form that his business must fill out and explained how it has become and how a $3,500 new tax just showed up one year.
  • The economy runs on the backs of small business
  • 60% of people employed are employees of small businesses
• Observable: We need people who know small business needs and can catch things like new hidden taxes

Charles McDonald, Lawyer for 15 years
Talking points:

• Waste: Held up Commercial Appeal and pointed to article about nine new schools were "thrown up", were over budget and now are developing cracks [actual article details that costs were $135/sq. ft -- twice that of original estimates -- and that Germanshire Elementary, built on portions of an old lake bed, is sinking. The school board faced time constraints to meet state class size mandates, hence the hurry.]
• MLGW: Pointed to the photo on another CA article and said that the new head of the MLGW looks just like the Mayor. Mayor Herenton might as well take over and draw two salaries.
• Press: Pointed to a CA editorial which says that the MLGW decision has been made and it is time to "move on". The CA does not back up the people.
• Qualities: We need a fighter, not someone who needs to be liked

Cross posted at Memphis Red Blogs

 

Posted on Friday at 7:45 AM in category Races of '04
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