Senate Speaker Ron RamseyNASHVILLE – Republican Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says he doesn’t see state Rep. Joe Carr having much chance against U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander in next year’s GOP primary.
Ramsey, the state Senate speaker from Blountville, on Wednesday recalled his own 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary race with Bill Haslam, who won in a three-man contest that included Zach Wamp of Chattanooga.
“I ran against $18 million one time. It’s no fun. That’s what it comes down to,” Ramsey told reporters when asked about the Lascassas lawmaker’s tea party-backed quest to stop Alexander from winning a third Senate term.
Asked if he was saying Carr can’t win, Ramsey said, “I don’t see it happening.”
He added, “But, you know what, primaries are good. They are for everybody — they keep everybody honest. … Joe has a right to run, that’s fine.”