Tuke officially launches U.S. Senate bid

Former state Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke announced today that he is an official candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination to challenge Sen. Lamar Alexander in this fall’s election.

“It’s official,” Tuke said. “I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money.”

Alexander (R-Tenn.) will be seeking reelection to his second term in the U.S. Senate.

In addition to officially announcing his candidacy — which was expected — Tuke released the names of his campaign strategists.

Those include campaign manager Ben Chao, with the Nashville-based political consulting firm of Fletcher, Rowley, Chao, Riddle, Inc, as well as Joe Trippi, a consultant who was previously a top advisor for John Edwards’ presidential bid.

For the Democrats’ Senate nomination, Tuke will be competing with former Nashville mayoral candidate Kenneth Eaton, former Knox County Clerk Mike Padgett and former Green Party candidate Chris Lugo.