Mike in the News

Padgett crowd is party mix

BY GEORGIANA VINES, gvpolitics@hotmail.com
Saturday, March 8, 2008

It was a mixed political crowd Tuesday night as former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett kicked off his campaign for the Democratic nomination to the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Lamar Alexander.

Well-known Republicans included Patsy Miller, who runs the Knox County legislative delegation office. She said her husband, Terry, worked for Padgett after retiring from another job. Both said they are supporting Padgett.

Former County Commissioners Mike McMillan and Mary Lou Horner, both Republicans, were a little more evasive.

"His dad (Bill Padgett) and I were friends. We've been friends a long time. I know Mike. I don't have anything against Lamar," McMillan said.

"He and I and the family have been friends for years. I always come to things I'm invited to. I knew his daddy. (Mike Padgett) was always helpful in the clerk's office. He's a good man," Horner said.

Padgett left office Jan. 31, 2007, after the state Supreme Court upheld term limits.

Asked about his Republican support while hobnobbing at Calhoun's on the River before his speech, Padgett rolled his eyes and said mockingly, "There aren't any Republicans in this house are there?"

Alexander has been emphasizing a list of Democrats and Independents supporting him.

Padgett's supporters include Dean Harned, a Gibbs High history teacher who introduced him, saying Padgett's 20 years as clerk show he's a servant "of and for the people. He always worked to bring people together."

Lawyer Warren Gooch agreed with Padgett's contention a Democrat would win the White House this fall. A candidate in the U.S. Senate race "keeps Democrats focused on the fall election in Tennessee. It's a Democratic year," Gooch said.

Padgett said he had been encouraged to run by state Democratic Party chief Gray Sasser. Sasser confirmed it but said he also encouraged Nashville lawyer Bob Tuke "and other top-flight candidates … as I see them all possessing the strength and the unique voice to change direction in Washington."

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