McMillan departure gives McWherter clear field in Democratic primary

NASHVILLE -- Jackson, Tenn., businessman Mike McWherter now has a clear shot at the Democratic gubernatorial nomination after his last remaining rival, former state House Democratic Leader Kim McMillan, bailed out of the contest Wednesday to run for mayor of Clarksville.

"I'm going to answer the call of my friends; I'm going to run for mayor of Clarksville," Ms. McMillan wrote in an e-mail to supporters, noting the Clarksville contest opened up with Mayor Johnny Piper announcing he will not seek re-election.

Earlier this week, the McWherter campaign confirmed to The Associated Press that Mr. McWherter, a Jackson businessman and the son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, was putting $1 million into his campaign.

Mr. McWherter is scheduled to make his formal campaign announcement this morning on the steps of the state Capitol.

In a statement, he said Ms. McMillan had "proven to be an articulate, strong voice for common-sense leadership and I wish her well."

Mr. McWherter said he believes Ms. McMillan will be an "outstanding mayor" for Clarksville and pledged to do "whatever I can to support her efforts moving forward."

Last month, state Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis dropped out of the race. State Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden, recently bailed out to run for Congress. Earlier this year, Nashville businessman Ward Cammack abandoned his Democratic bid.

Republicans still have a contested primary on Aug. 5. The candidates are U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn.; Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville; and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam.

Bill Gibbons, the Shelby County district attorney, dropped out of the Republican race last week.

Vanderbilt University political science professor Bruce Oppenheimer said that with no primary opponent in his way now, it "creates a potential for McWherter that didn't exist. But it's not in his control."

Much "depends on how nicely the three Republican candidates play between now and August and how people feel after that ends," Dr. Oppenheimer said, noting the GOP primary winner could "come out bloodied up."

He said with the state trending Republican these days, the "gubernatorial election is one that a Republican candidate in 2010 is going to have to lose. But a lot can change."

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