2009 April 30

On the Block: Do politicians from West Tennessee start with a location advantage or a location disadvantage in state-wide races?

The Main Street Journal Website

Every week, the Main Street Journal asks various community leaders about the issues of the day. All opinions expressed are strictly those of the person attributed.

QUESTION: Do politicians from West Tennessee start with a location advantage or a location disadvantage in state-wide races?

Richard Thompson; Blogger, Mediaverse Memphis.
Disadvantage. As a whole, Tennessee has an intense negative reaction to Memphis. It’s palpable. Plus, Memphis is like an island. Most candidates here rarely get off of it for statewide races until after their campaigns start. That’s too late.

David Pickler; Chairman, Shelby County School Board.
While an energized and efficiently mobilized West Tennessee base offers undeniable benefits, any West Tennessee candidate must overcome deeply entrenched perceptions and biases from voters across middle and eastern Tennessee. I believe our west Tennessee base is a competitive disadvantage due to political prejudices held by many conservative political leaders and power-brokers across our state. Successful candidates for state-wide or national office must overcome these biases to prove that their platform and messsage will resonate to a broader audience while preserving a base that has become increasingly sensitive to perceptions and realized expressions of west Tennessee inferiority, both real and imagined.

Paul Stanley; Tennessee State Senator.
Neither. I believe this question is difficult if not impossible to answer. Handicapping any such advantage or disadvantage would depend on multiple factors including the number and location of other candidates, whether it is a primary or general election, a democrat or republican primary, major issues, voter turnout, name recognition, etc. Good candidates with a clear message, solid strategy and adequate funding have an equal opportunity regardless of regional issues.

Mark White; Former Republican Candidate for 9th Congressional District.
I feel that the traditional three state division of Tennessee has broken down over the years. With the political diversity of west Tennessee and particularly Shelby County, the voters of both parties seek a heavy turnout to secure a state wide win for their candidate. Therefore a candidate from this area has to be taken seriously and cannot be ignored as once was the case.

Joe Saino; Memphis community activist.
Seems obvious that a Democrat has an advantage and a Republican has a disadvantage. However a strong candidate could overcome this location disadvantage.

Mike Ritz; Shelby County Commissioner.
Yes. The multiple voices that “Nashville” hears from our City, County, 2 school boards and 2 Mayors makes for confusion at best. Until we begin to speak with one voice, obviously requiring compromise, we won’t look like we are together. A candidate from Big Shelby for a statewide office, like our District Attorney General, has to move forward from a cluttered background - which is not his fault! It’s our fault. At least 2 of the 3 State Constitutional officers are now from here - David Lillard and Tre Hargett!

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