Jay Kersting's Blog

Today is primary election day in Tennessee.  And it may be, for most of the state, anti-climatic.  But not for Knox County, where the nightmare of their county government may come to an end.

Here is why I say that it may be anti-climatic for most of the state.  They have an early voting process there that helps increase voter turnout and keeps the election day crowds more manageable.  I really liked the idea of going to one polling place and casting my ballot and then NOT having to worry about it.  Especially when I had to work on election nights the last four years I was living there.  On the big elections in 2000 and 2004, I was able to cast my vote in advance and watch the others rush out on election day.  I guess there is a chance that someone could get some last minute news and want to change their mind.  BUT, I am not one of them.  Rarely do I make a decision IN the ballot booth.

Statewide, Tennessee will choose who gets to challenge U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander in November.  Mike Padgett, the former Knox County Clerk, faces former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke and four others who really don't face an ice cubes chance in hell.  Both Padgett, to whom I have written many checks for my licence plates and tags, and Tuke are longshots to unseat Alexander.

On a personal note, I really like Lamar Alexander.  Everytime that I have chatted with him, he has been a very warm and friendly guy.  Probably what helped make him a very popular Governor in the late 1970's and early 1980's.  We'd often talk about sports on and off mic.  On election night 2004, I was working and a field producer for our coverage at the GOP Headquarters in Knoxville.  Senator Alexander would come by where I was at to get updates on the Presidential race from me off of my laptop.  

But he doesn't face a challenger today.  I will be watching this race, if it heats up, come November. 

I guess my main point is that many folks made their decisions before today, officially and unofficially.  I wish we could make our official decisions ahead of time here too....and beat the potential crowds on election day. 

I just like that system. 

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The other thing that I will be watching from afar is the whole debacle that is Knox County government.  All of the appointees and the repeated appointees will have to get a vote from the people to earn these jobs.  Also on the ballot are a couple of charter amendments that will help the people.  One of them will allow the recall of county officials.  If you have followed the antics of the county government there, you would know why this is so important.

Good luck to the citizens of Knox County, Tennessee.  You deserve better than what you have gotten.

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Back here in Missouri, I told you about the close race between Chris Koster and Margarat Donnelly for the Democrat nomination for Attorney General.  Yesterday, I had results showing the difference being 552 votes.  Well, there has been an update.  Now the difference is 786 votes in favor of former Republican Koster.

No word yet on an official recount request by Donnelly.  As close as it is, I would go for it.  But that is me, and I am not a politician.

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Brett Favre is now a New York Jet.

Going from the smallest market in the NFL to the media frying pan of New York City.  Well, OK, New Jersey to be accurate. 

I wish him all of the luck in the world.  I do not see that he will make the Jets a Super Bowl Champion, but he could make them a solid playoff team.

My only question is this.  Will his time in New York get him to work on his acting career? 

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Have a great Thursday.