Ramsey Contends Race Still Close at Last Stop in Nashville

Candidate for governor Ron Ramsey is on a final campaign swing across the state before Election Day. Even though he trails his two Republican primary opponents in the polls, Ramsey calls the race “fluid.”

Shaking hands and passing out business cards at West End’s Noshville Deli, Ramsey gave prospective voters a taste of his resume face-to-face.

“I’m an auctioneer, 800…[auctioneering]”

Besides a fast talker, he’s also the speaker of the state Senate. In the three-way race, Ramsey has largely dodged attacks from Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Chattanooga Congressman Zach Wamp. He says that’s not because he isn’t a threat.

“What are they going to say, I’m too pro-life? I’m too pro-Second Amendment? I’m too pro-business? What do you use against me? They’re scraping to say state government has grown under my 18 years. You got 18 years, government grows.”

Ramsey says it’s a wonder he’s been able to hang with Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, who spent nearly $9 million on the race through July 26th compared to Ramsey’s $2.4 million. Ramsey says he’s still in the mix because of the Tea Party endorsements he’s been able to attract.

“The fact that I do believe this race is still close, this race is very fluid, is a testament to the Tea Party in and of itself, and a testament to those conservative voters out there. If it wasn’t for those, I wouldn’t even be in the race, but I am.”

In Nashville, Ramsey’s campaign swing took him through a few West End eateries. But in East Tennessee, he met supporters on the firing range. Ramsey’s day wrapped up with a meet and greet and machine gun shoot in Knoxville.