Former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman and Nashville attorney Bob Tuke announces his bid for U.S. Senate:

It's official. I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money. I'm also assembling a team of top-notch consultants with vast experience at turning "Red States" into "Blue States."

Tuke has named Ben Chao as his Campaign Manager, and has retained Joe Trippi for Media and Internet consulting.

Chao has national campaign experience, most recently as Bill Richardson’s National Political Director.

The Tuke campaign's political advisor is Stephen Lindsey, former Tennessee Director for the John Kerry presidential campaign and former Deputy Director of the Tennessee Democratic Party.

According to her bio, fundraising consultant Cathy Thomas has worked with "some of the biggest names in Tennessee politics, including Phil Bredesen, Ned Ray McWherter, Al Gore, John Tanner, Lincoln Davis, Jim Cooper, Bob Clement, Roy Herron and Rosalind Kurita, among others."

By way of editorial comment, Bob Tuke has lined up a pretty impressive campaign team. We wonder if this introduces a new dynamic that helps "upticket" in interesting and unexpected ways, given that neither Clinton nor Obama is likely to spend much time campaigning in Tennessee. There's no doubt that a spirited campaign run by some pro heavy hitters will help downticket. Especially with TNGOP's Robin Smith and Bill Hobbs helping out.

Full press release after the jump...

"It's Official" … Bob Tuke Enters U.S. Senate Race
Hires National Talent with Winning Tennessee Track Record

NASHVILLE, TN –Vietnam Veteran and former Tennessee Democratic Party Chairman Bob Tuke announced today that he has filed his "Statement of Candidacy" with the Federal Election Commission and hired key campaign consultants.

"It's official. I am a candidate to replace Lamar Alexander in the U.S. Senate. I have filed my paperwork and I am raising money. I'm also assembling a team of top-notch consultants with vast experience at turning "Red States" into "Blue States."

The Tuke for Tennessee campaign announced his core campaign team today.

• Ben Chao- Campaign Manager. Find out more about Ben at Link...

• Joe Trippi - Media and Internet Consultant. Find out more about Joe at Link...

• FRCR, Inc. - Media Consultant. Find out more at Link...

• Cathy Thomas – Fundraising consultant. Find out more at Link...

• Stephen Lindsey – Political Advisor. Find out more at Link...

"I am very pleased to be able to begin my campaign with this team," Tuke said. "I realize we are starting later than some other campaigns nationally and that's why I felt a need to put together a team of battle-hardened political veterans with a balance of national experience and Tennessee knowledge."

In an email this weekend to members of the Tennessee Democratic Party Executive Committee, Tuke said:

I will bring the energy, focus, purpose and determination of a Marine to this campaign and to my service in the United States Senate.

I am not so much offering myself as a candidate as I again am answering a call to service. America is in crisis. Our economy is in trouble, our schools are struggling to excel, our health care system leaves millions uncovered, and there are parts of Tennessee where the good paying jobs of the future are just a mirage. And in too many places, the cold wind of hunger and poverty whistle through open doors of despair.

Perhaps most critically, we find ourselves in two wars, with enemies lying in wait at home and abroad. Veterans return from war to heal their bodies and their minds only to find a broken system that leaves them without care. I fought in Vietnam as a Marine officer, and I cared for my Marines. I understand the rigors of war and the responsibility of our government to wage it properly and to care for those who fight it and for their families.

My wife Susan and I have built our lives in Tennessee and have been married for nearly 39 years. We raised our children Andrew (27) and Sarah (24) in the traditions of faith, service to country and belief in the ideals of the Democratic Party.

I hope you will support me in this effort as you supported me when I was your Party Chairman.

Thank you and Semper Fi,
Bob Tuke

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PAID FOR BY TUKE FOR TENNESSEE