Local radio personality Randy Price has announced his candidacy for the Tennessee Senate District 11 seat.
Price is running unopposed in the Aug. 2 Democratic primary and will face incumbent Republican Bo Watson in November.
"I see a lot of nonsense coming from our state Senate, but not much common sense," Price said in a news release. "A lot of ideology but few ideas that benefit citizens of Tennessee and the 11th District."
He said the Tennessee General Assembly is wasting time naming state rifles and playing politics.
"We need to concentrate on the responsibilities of state government on better funding teachers and education, expanding Medicaid for more affordable health care and working to create the opportunity of a good-paying job for all Tennesseans," the release states.
Price cited an April Mason-Dixon Polling & Research report published in The Tennessean. Some 63 percent of state residents support expanding Medicaid, with 21 percent against and 16 percent undecided, according to the poll. But Republican lawmakers, including Watson, killed Gov. Bill Haslam's expansion proposal in committee twice, preventing a vote by the full Legislature.
On his website, Price says he favors common-sense gun safety regulations and opposes arming teachers.
"Teachers need raises, not guns," Price said.
He supports equal rights for all, including LGBTQ people, and believes Tennessee should welcome refugees and embrace a variety of cultures to make the state and its people stronger.
"It's time for our elected officials to listen to the people in their district and across the state, and not march to the Washington party line."
In his first-quarter campaign finance report, Price says he has received no contributions and has spent less than $200 of his own funds.
Watson was elected District 11 senator in 2006 and is unopposed in the Republican primary. His first-quarter report showed he had $290,503 on hand and spent $5,299.51 in the period.
The Democratic and Republican primaries will be held Aug. 2. Early voting is July 13-28.
The general election is Nov. 6, with early voting from Oct. 17 to Nov. 1.