Garrett House race may be one to watch

The General Assembly race to watch in the Aug. 5 Democratic primary in Davidson County is likely the one between state Rep. Tim Garrett and challenger Gary Moore.

Most other seats are considered by party insiders to be anything but close, but Moore could make a run for the seat held by Garrett for roughly 20 years.

District 50 is the largest in the county, encompassing Joelton, Goodlettsville, Scottsboro, parts of Madison and North Bordeaux.

Garrett, though he ultimately voted for Gov. Phil Bredesen's Basic Education Plan reform this past session, was one of the few to voice criticism because, in effect, it would leave Nashville without substantial raises the next several years.

Garrett, the chairman of the House Conservation and Environment Committee and a funeral director by trade, says he's working hard to get re-elected.

"Anytime you have opposition you act like you're two votes behind," said Garrett, who previously served the area on the Metro Council. "I've spent my life in the community trying to do what I can do to help."

Garrett refused comment on how much money his campaign has raised thus far as did Moore.

When asked about his opponent, Garrett responded: "You let your opponent talk about himself."

Moore, a firefighter and currently the president of the Tennessee Professional Firefighters union, said that while he has strong support from labor he likely wouldn't raise as much money as Garrett.

"I feel like I can make a difference and would do a better job in representing working class people in the district," he said.

Sontany vs. Derryberry

Another Democratic primary race that could prove close would be that of District 53, where state Rep. Janis Sontany will for the second time face off with her former Metro Council colleague, Tony Derryberry.

Sontany defeated Derryberry and Nashville attorney David King in 2002. Without the third candidate some question whether Derryberry can make it a close race.

Derryberry is expected to run as a conservative in answer to votes cast by Sontany last session, including a well- publicized one that helped kill a proposed pro-life constitutional amendment.