Voters go to the polls Aug. 1 to take part in both a general election for Metro offices and primaries for state and federal seats.

Our editorial board has interviewed many of the candidates. And we have endorsed those we think would best represent the people of Davidson County. We encourage all voters to participate in this election. If you don’t, you have no right to complain. (We’ll be checking our letters to the editor about this editorial against the voter registration rolls.) Early voting starts this week—July 12, to be exact.

Governor

We endorse former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen in the Democratic primary. When Bredesen appeared before our editorial board, he launched into a description of TennCare’s deficiencies that, 25 minutes later, had us struggling to keep up. We are convinced that, owing to his health care background, he is uniquely positioned to tackle this most gnarly of state problems. On the issue of a state income tax—which the Scene has supported—Bredesen has been unequivocally opposed. But what’s most attractive about Bredesen is that he really wants to take control of a state that has a pitiful revenue stream and is in shambles. This way, Bredesen feels he will have the leverage necessary to make big reforms in the way state services are provided. Bredesen is asking voters to hand him a huge problem because he really wants to fix it. This is truly admirable.

In the Republican primary, we endorse Jim Henry. A former Republican House member and leader, Henry is a straight-shooting type with the skills, gumption and past experience to tackle the state’s problems and work with the legislature. A moderate Republican who doesn’t seem to share the slash-and-burn approach to government advocated by some of his party’s membership, Henry could be trusted to try to do what is right.

U.S. Senate

In the Republican primary, we endorse Lamar Alexander. The guy was a great governor, propelling Tennessee up the charts in per capita income, education spending, industrial recruitment and more. His intelligence and his imagination are unquestioned. Alexander could be expected to be a strong advocate on issues that Republicans have a way of ruining, namely education and the environment. Alexander knows the former—he ran the University of Tennessee and the U.S. Department of Education—and he loves the outdoors as much as we do.

In the Democratic primary, we endorse Bob Clement, who has no credible opposition. While it would be fair to say that the Scene has never been institutionally wowed by the 5th District congressman, Clement gave us reason during our editorial board meeting to take a second look. Perhaps most in his favor is that the League of Conservation Voters rates him higher on environmental issues than any other Tennessee congressional member. As well, he wants to continue working on mass transit needs for Tennesseans, and he recently commissioned a study showing that pharmaceutical costs in other countries are considerably less than those in the United States. Clement is also pushing legislation aimed at deducting sales taxes from federal income taxes.

U.S. Congress, 5th District

Democrat Jim Cooper is the best choice to represent this district, for this single reason: He knows the issues. A former congressman from Tennessee, Cooper distinguished himself in Washington as the state’s 4th congressional representative. He was an expert on health care, telecommunications, cable TV regulation and countless other subjects. Cooper is pro-consumer, opposes frivolous amendments to the U.S. Constitution and isn’t afraid to go after powerful people and institutions when they screw up. Most importantly, Cooper has the confidence to take positions that go against conventional wisdom or political expedience. Were Cooper to be elected, we think he would be one of the more influential members of Congress within perhaps two terms.

U.S. Congress, 7th District

Oddly enough, this formerly West Tennessee district now includes portions of southern Davidson County and much of Williamson County to boot. Four serious candidates are in the race, and two of those are from West Tennessee. Why would Nashvillians want a West Tennessean representative? Of the two local candidates in the race, one is state Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who we believe was not a constructive presence in the recently concluded state budget debate. The fourth candidate is Republican Nashville attorney Forrest Shoaf, a graduate of West Point and Harvard Law School. One will not find a smarter man. He is one of the more conservative politicians to cross this state’s stage—which would accord nicely with his district’s ideology. But more importantly, his intellectual gifts, work ethic and general nice-guy presence would be a great gift to Tennessee’s congressional delegation. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s a military man.

State Senate District 21

Jeff Wilson is a political newcomer. A computer consultant, the Democrat is running in the primary against state Sen. Douglas Henry, who chairs the Senate committee that deals with all the state’s budget-related issues. The Scene is endorsing Wilson because we think he represents a breath of fresh air. He believes strongly in tax reform, wants to elect a new speaker for the state Senate, is opposed to state Route 840, thinks the Tennessee Department of Transportation needs a major overhaul and advocates open government. Henry has our admiration and respect, but Wilson gets our vote.

State House District 53

Janice Sontany, a second-term Metro Council member, is generally regarded as both cerebral and practical, a rare combination of character traits in the local 40-member body. Sontany, whose service has been punctuated by legislative efforts to prevent and mitigate animal cruelty—and to punish more harshly such offenders—would be an asset to the special-interest-dominated legislature.

Vice Mayor

Chris Ferrell is one of the true rising stars on the political stage of this city. In the position of vice mayor, whose responsibilities include organizing what a former mayor once referred to as the “40 jealous whores” of the Metro Council, he would do an outstanding job. Ferrell has a close working relationship with Mayor Bill Purcell and, most importantly, a clear idea of how he could affect and massage policy as vice mayor. Ferrell seems to have a more activist interpretation of the position than his predecessors, which we find admirable. He would appoint committee chairs based on leadership ability rather than whose turn is next. Ferrell approaches public policy with a religious dimension—he is a graduate of the Vanderbilt Divinity School—which is not to say that he supports government involvement in religion. He does, however, support people of faith becoming involved in government, which is a distinction that makes all the difference in the world. We applaud his impulses, his efforts and his results.

Sheriff

Daron Hall, who knows the sheriff’s department as well as anyone, can be expected to further the advances made in the department under outgoing sheriff Gayle Ray. Hall has a hands-on understanding of the office and wants, in his words, to “get to my office, keep my head down and get the job done.” That’s about what it will take.