Monday, April 27, 2009
Politics / Woods Berke Won't Run for Governor
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 2:19 PM
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Hardly anyone thought state Sen. Andy Berke could win the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, even in a lackluster field. And Berke himself seems to have finally figured it out. Berke put out a statement saying he won't run for governor in 2010. The champion of progressive blogs--all of them!--he might have made an interesting candidate. But could a liberal, Jewish, first-term legislator who looks like he's about 13 years old really compete statewide in Tennessee? Among Democrats, Berke joins Harold Ford Jr., Lincoln Davis, and Doug Horne in announcing against running. Of those four, Berke is the one who never should have thought about it in the first place. Even Tennessee Democrats aren't that desperate, are they? Berke's statement:
Many people have encouraged me to run for Governor or Congress in 2010. I can't tell you how much those words of support have meant to me, Monique, and our family. I wanted you to hear directly from me that I have decided I will not be a candidate for Governor or Congress in 2010. I believe I can most help the state and the people who live here by continuing to serve in the State Senate. Over several months I have met with civic, business and labor leaders, as well as scores of concern citizens across the state. All agree that we need a leader to build on the progress made under Governor Bredesen as we face these tough economic times and an increasingly uncertain future. We also need leadership in the General Assembly. As more Tennesseans are out of work and our budget problems have mounted, the General Assembly has too often been distracted by side issues and petty disputes. We need to do better. We need to focus on the challenges that Tennesseans face every day - finding work, paying their bills, making sure our children get the education they need to succeed, keeping their neighborhoods safe, and finding quality health care for an affordable price. We also must set our sights higher and build a future that meets our extraordinary potential. I dedicate myself to work with you to do just that.
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