An ad that popped up in the margins of Facebook pages last week showed Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey in outdoor clothing, holding a firearm.
A message accompanying the small photo stated he is the only candidate for governor in Tennessee "with a handgun carry permit."
Among the Facebook users indicating they "like" the ad were Chip Saltsman, general consultant for 3rd Congressional District GOP candidate Chuck Fleischmann; state Sen. Bo Watson, R-Hixson; 4th Congressional District GOP candidate Scott DesJarlais; and Oscar Brock and Mark WInslow, who both work for Republican Robin Smith's campaign in the 3rd District race.
The Aug. 5 primary election pits Lt. Gov. Ramsey against fellow Republicans Zach Wamp and Bill Haslam. The winner faces Democrat Mike McWherter in the Nov. 2 general election.
Handel's "tougher than an ox" ad begins airing today
A television ad that begins airing today in Georgia portrays Republican gubernatorial candidate Karen Handel, a former secretary of state, as "tougher than an ox, but with the heart that comes from a life beating the odds."
While asserting that some of her opponents have "iffy" ethics, the ad notes that she "moved out of an abusive home at 17" before achieving success later in life.
An InsiderAdvantage poll conducted July 1 for WSB-TV Channel 2 in Atlanta showed that she and fellow GOP contender John Oxendine were in a dead heat, with 18 percent of the vote each. Former U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, a Republican who vacated his 9th District seat in March to run for governor, had 12 percent.
An Associated Press story on Friday noted that former Gov. Roy Barnes, a Democrat, and Mr. Oxendine have raised the most money in the governor's race. Mr. Barnes has collected almost $5 million while Mr. Oxendine has raised nearly $4 million. Mr. Deal was "a distant third" with $2.6 million, according to the story.
Seven Republicans and seven Democrats are running in the July 20 primary election. Following a possible Aug. 10 runoff election, the winners from each party will square off in the Nov. 2 general.
Isakson raises another $936,000 in re-election bid
Sen. Johnny Isakson has added more than $936,000 to his campaign coffers in his bid for another term.
Isakson reported raising $936,893 for the three-month period ending June 30, bringing his total contributions to $7,386,125. He still has $4,927,699 cash on hand and faces no opponent in the July 20 primary election.
The Republican incumbent will face either Michael Thurmond or R.J. Hadley - who are both seeking the Democratic nomination for Senate - and Libertarian Chuck Donovan in November. Isakson, 65, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
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