From the Tuke Campaign:

My campaign conducted an 800 sample statewide poll last week and it showed that all our hard work is paying off. The most important finding in the poll was about the primary. We asked the following question:

In the Democratic primary for US Senate, the candidates are: Leonard Ladner, Kenneth Eaton, Gary Davis, Mike Clayton, Mike Padgett and Bob Tuke. Which one would you vote for if the election were held today?

Bob Tuke 38%
Mike Padgett 8%
Other 4%
Undecided 57%

Simply put, we're well on our way to a big win in the primary. But there is more good news to report on the primary numbers. Our pollster (the same pollster Gov. Ned McWherter, Congressman John Tanner and Harold Ford, Jr. used) pointed out that we lead Padgett in all of Tennessee's major media markets including Knoxville.

That's an impressive showing for Tuke. It's also a pretty big undecided number at this point.

UPDATE: Tuke campaign issues a correction:

Today's Tuesdays with Tuke had a typographical error for which I take full responsibility. The correct polling results are as follows:

Bob Tuke 32%
Mike Padgett 8%
Others 4%
Undecided 57%

Ben Chao

Presser after the jump...

Bob Tuke's campaign sent out an e-mail update this afternoon, and among other things touted Tuke's showing in a KnoxViews poll earlier in the week:

Tuke Has Commanding Lead Over Padgett in Knoxville Views Poll

Bob Tuke — 63%
Mike Padgett — 23%
Undecided — 10%

In the first organizing test of the primary campaign, Tuke took an immediate and commanding lead in the Knoxville Views Poll posted on Wednesday. The Tuke campaign is very encouraged by the results since his primary challenger is from Knox County, and served as the Knox County Clerk for 20 years. The results show that Tuke has far more organization than many political onlookers assume, and that Knox County is very much "in play" for Tuke in the August primary.

UPDATE: Kleinheider stirs the pot...

Sean Braisted walks in Nashville with U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Tuke during his march across the state and files this report.

Bob Tuke's senate campaign has released its first quarter fundraising report. The report notes that with Tuke's late entry, the campaign only had 27 fundraising days, but the results are impressive:

• Total Dollars Raised to Date: $264,633.33
• Number of Donors: 569
• Percentage of Money Raised Online: 17%
• Percentage Contributed by Individuals: 99%
• Total Reported on 1st Quarter FEC Report: $225,533.33

The campaign also announced the latest endorsements for Bob Tuke, which include Senator John Kerry, General Wesley Clark, Joe Haynes, TN State Senator and Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, Gary Odom, TN State Representative and House Majority Leader, Lois DeBerry, TN State Representative and Speaker Pro Tempore, and State Representatives Charles Curtiss, Brenda Gilmore, Bill Harmon, Mary Pruitt, Johnny Shaw, David Shepard, Janis Sontany, Mike Turner, and Eddie Yokley.

Commemorating tax day, Bob Tuke also notes some facts about the Republican record on taxes which Sen. Lamar Alexander has supported.

• The typical tax payer in America is responsible for $1,085 to pay the interest on the Federal debt. The tab for the War in Iraq is $593 for the typical taxpayer.

• Last year, taxpayers spent more on tax breaks to millionaires than hospital and health care for veterans or K-12 education funding.

• For every $1 in tax relief to the middle class, $108 was given to millionaires.

• Bush's budget calls for continuing these failed tax policies. In fact, he's calling for another $1.2 trillion to be given back to the wealthiest 1% of American households.

• One of Bush's top economic advisors said of their tax record, there is "no credible evidence" that "tax revenues rise in the face of lower tax rates." (The Hamilton Project 9/6/07)

Meanwhile, Sen. Lamar Alexander has today called for a "flat tax" of 17%. Of course Sen. Alexander would prefer to pay only half of what he pays now. Who wouldn't? The problem is that he wants middle class working families to make up the difference by paying more.

(Cross-posted from Silence Isn't Golden)

The official announcement will be later in the week, but Bob Tuke announced today at the 5th Congressional District Democratic Convention that he will enter the race for U.S. Senate against Lamar! Alexander.

He noted that Lamar! has been a disappointment as he's become so tied to the Washington Republicans, and even more so now that he's in the leadership there. Tuke stated that the people of Tennessee deserve a choice, and it will be between a Washington Republican and a Democratic Marine.

I don't know about y'all, but I'm fired up and ready to go...for Bob Tuke!