Alexander Wins Tenn. GOP Senate Vote

In one of the country’s most hard-fought and high-profile primaries, Tennessee voters Thursday chose two-time presidential candidate Lamar Alexander as the GOP nominee for a key November Senate battle.

With Democratic control of the Senate hanging by a single seat, the race to succeed Republican Sen. Fred Thompson could figure prominently in the battle for Senate control.

Alexander, 62, a former governor and U.S. Education secretary, held a comfortable lead as counting continued late Thursday over Rep. Ed Bryant, 53, a four-term congressman and House prosecutor in the impeachment trial of former President Clinton.

The Democratic nomination was captured by seven-term Democratic Rep. Bob Clement, who had nominal opposition in the primary. Clement, 58, is son of the late former Gov. Frank Clement.

The Senate seat from Tennessee came open with the surprise retirement of Thompson.

While Democrats have no open Senate seats, Republicans must defend four created by the retirements of Sens. Strom Thurmond in South Carolina, Jesse Helms in North Carolina, Phil Gramm in Texas and Thompson.

Alexander, who failed in bids for the GOP presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000, has emphasized education and jobs.

Clement’s campaign has emphasized “security”--for the homeland, Social Security, health care and education. He was first elected to Congress in 1988 and reelected two years ago with 73% of the vote.

Tennessee voters were also choosing candidates to succeed two-term Republican Gov. Don Sundquist, who could not run again because of term limits, and for the state’s eight U.S. House seats, three of which are open because incumbents decided to run for either governor or the Senate.

Republican Rep. Van Hilleary won the Republican gubernatorial nomination, while former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen was an easy victor on the Democratic side.

One House contest could provide former vice president and native son Al Gore a reading on whether his popularity has improved in Tennessee since he lost the state in the 2000 presidential election.

Gore campaigned in the 4th Congressional District--the area he once represented in the House--for Lincoln Davis, a state senator and party favorite who beat fellow Democrat Fran Marcum, a millionaire businesswoman.