Democrat calls for debates in Senate races - and more Tennessee campaign news

photo Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Terry Adams, a Knoxville attorney, introduces himself at a news conference in Nashville on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014.

Democrat calls for debates in Senate races

Terry Adams, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, slapped Tuesday at Republican incumbent Lamar Alexander for refusing to debate challengers in his own party.

Alexander faces primary challenges from state Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, and from Memphis physician and businessman George Flinn.

Adams called in a news release for an "open debate of the issues" in the race.

"That is the problem with career politicians like Alexander, they want to hold on to power based on name recognition and incumbency, they don't want to make the campaign about the issues," Adams said.

Adams and fellow attorney Gordon Ball are vying for the Democratic nomination. Adams challenged Ball to a series of debates and said that if nominated, he will debate the Republican primary winner.


Headrick slams court ruling

Mary Headrick, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 3rd District, expressed "disgust" Tuesday at the U.S. Supreme Court's Monday ruling that some for-profit companies cannot be made to provide some kinds of birth control for employees.

photo Mary Headrick

In a news release, Headrick said, "The 5-4 decision on ideological lines was met with instant backlash because the ruling creates a gateway to further religious-based challenges that limit individual decisions and rights."'

In the case, the owners of the Hobby Lobby chain objected to contraceptives such as the IUD and the morning-after pill, saying they equated to abortion. The justices agreed that certain closely held, nonpublic companies may be exempted from the birth control requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

"The extremist war on women has now escalated to the most personal health decision a woman can make, taking away a benefit, birth control, that she worked for and earned by her labor. It appears that religious freedom for corporations is now legally allowed to suppress individual workers' rights and their religious freedom. ... It is time for every person to vote against corporate religious oppression and for freedom for the American workers who deserve good health insurance," Headrick said.

To learn more about Headrick, visit web: www.maryheadrick.com.


Flinn wants borders sealed

George Flinn, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is calling for sealing the U.S. border to restrict illegal immigration.

Flinn said in a news release that President Barack Obama intend to "sidestep Congress and take immigration into his own hands."

"Currently we have thousands of people illegally crossing the border every day and it needs to be stopped. Our border patrol agents are being forced to babysit while criminals seep through our borders. We need to stop talking about immigration reform and seal the borders. The federal government has a job to protect the citizens of the United States and they are failing," Flinn said.

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