The Coy Pond

By Kleinheider Posted on January 12, 2009 at 9:52 am

Tom Humphrey on those candidates for Governor whom have not yet made the plunge:

On the Republican side, for example, U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn and state Rep. Beth Harwell, a former GOP chairman, are likely in this category. Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, however, will probably join the fray after the legislative session ends - even though the announced candidates will have a good head start on fundraising by then.

Under state law, Ramsey and Harwell - along with Democratic legislators eyeing the race - cannot raise money while the General Assembly is in session.

Ramsey has enough prominence and a long enough donor list to perhaps overcome this disadvantage. Harwell, though a gifted politician, probably does not.

Blackburn has a safe congressional seat that she is unlikely to abandon for a risky run for governor against well-funded opponents who might exploit some negative publicity about her campaign finance foul-ups and the funneling of money to family.

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