WASHINGTON — To beat Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., in the November election, leading Democratic contenders Bob Tuke and Mike Padgett say they probably will need to raise $5 million to $10 million for the general election.
“We’re going to need in the serious millions,” said Mr. Tuke, an attorney and former chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party who entered the race late last month.
Republican Bob Corker and Democrat Harold Ford Jr. spent a combined $33 million in their close 2006 race.
“It’s not going to take that much this time,” said Jed Brewer, campaign manager for Mr. Padgett, a former Knox County clerk who also entered the race in February.
Both Mr. Tuke and Mr. Padgett said with voter discontent at a high level, strong Democratic turnout will help make up any fundraising disadvantage to Sen. Alexander.
Neither of the leading Democratic candidates released his fundraising numbers so far.
Sen. Alexander, seeking his second term in office and so far unopposed in the Republican primary, reported raising $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. Recently he said he has about $3 million in cash on hand.
“I’m going to respect whatever opponent I have, and I’ll let the Democratic primary sort that out,” Sen. Alexander said. “I’m going to persuade Tennesseans to send me back to Congress to work across party lines and get results in health insurance, housing and lower energy costs.”
Nashville businessman Kenneth Eaton is also in the Democratic field. Peace activist Chris Lugo announced he is dropping plans to run as a Democrat and will run for the Green Party nomination or as an independent.
Sen. Alexander’s campaign recently released internal polling numbers showing him with close to 2-to-1 leads over his Democratic challenges. According to the survey conducted earlier this month by Republican pollster Whit Ayers, Sen. Alexander had a 68 percent favorable rating.
Bruce Oppenheimer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University, said Mr. Tuke and Mr. Padgett face long odds.
“Neither of the Democratic candidates is a household name in the state; neither has held statewide office,” he said. “To get beyond that, you have to raise a lot of money and build statewide recognition.”
Mr. Brewer said that Bill Frist in 1994 and Sen. Corker in 2006 won after facing low poll ratings early in their races, and it can be done again.
Mr. Tuke said Tennesseans are demanding new voices in government, noting that Sen. Alexander, a former governor, has been in politics since 1974.
“He’s aligned himself with the president too much, and I don’t think that fits the interests of Tennesseans,” Mr. Tuke said.
KEY DATES
* State primary: Aug. 7
* General election: Nov. 11
POLL STANDINGS
According to the survey conducted earlier this month by Republican pollster Whit Ayers, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., leads two Democratic contenders in his re-election bid. Sen. Alexander leads Bob Tuke 59 percent to 28 percent, with 14 percent undecided, and he leads Mike Padgett 58 percent to 31 percent, with 11 percent undecided.
