Wednesday, August 19th, 2009, by Nina Cardona

Kim McMillan's gubernatorial campaign is betting on what it considers to be one of the state's untapped political resources: women.

When it comes to fundraising, the Clarksville Democrat lags behind competitors on both sides of the aisle.

So McMillan has decided that if she can't raise funds via the traditional networks which are primarily made up of men, she'll focus on building a grassroots network of women instead. McMillan says there's plenty of room for growth.

Setbacks on a solar farm plan shouldn't interrupt efforts to develop alternative energy.

By Staff Reports

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

If America is headed, however haltingly, toward a more environmentally responsible and energy independent path, Tennessee is well positioned to lead the way.

State officials say difficulties encountered with the plan to build a solar farm in Haywood County represent a slight hiccup in the state's bid for dominance in solar technology.

Monday, August 10, 2009

By:

Andy Sher(Contact)

Candidates speak out

Here is what Tennessee gubernatorial candidates are saying about how they will deal with the recession's expected lasting impact on state revenues.

* Democrat Ward Cammack: Could not be reached.

Tennessee's next governor must temper goals with budget realities

Commentary by Gail Kerr
The Tennessean

The way Tennessee is governed has changed dramatically because of the massive budget cuts driven by this year's wicked economy.

That means the way candidates run for Tennessee governor will have to change, too, if they want to see inauguration day.

Solar industry's promises bring environmental challenges for Tennessee

By Chas Sisk
THE TENNESSEAN

As the state tries to reap the benefits of a growing solar industry that could bring thousands of new jobs and billions in new investment, the massive projects also bring with them environmental challenges in the form of intensive manufacturing operations that will draw a tremendous amount of electricity from the state's power grid used to run sprawling chemical reactors.

By R. Neal

Area Democrats turned out in large numbers for the Knox County Democratic Party Truman Day event at the Knoxville Zoo last night. We estimate attendance at approx. 300 to 400 people. Candidates for Governor, state House and Senate, and Knoxville City Council were there, along with Tennessee Democratic Party chair Chip Forrester and Knox County Democratic Party chair Gloria Johnson and crew. The venue made for an informal, relaxed setting and there was good food and good conversation.

Three candidates for governor said Thursday night they do not favor rescinding a state law that results in a sales tax holiday in August despite the state losing revenue and departments having to make cuts.

State Sen. Roy Herron of Dresden, former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville and Jackson businessman Mike McWherter were interviewed on the issue prior to the program at the Knox County Democrats' Truman Day celebration at the Knoxville Zoo.

By Joey Garrison

Staff Writer

Kim McMillan is a woman vying to enter a place historically dominated by men - the governor's mansion.

Energizing Tennessee women behind her candidacy is a goal of the former Democratic House Majority Leader, but to do so her campaign must overcome the state's perceived apolitical female voting block.  

By Ken Whitehouse

Though they're all competing for the same nomination, three of the five Democratic candidates for governor had more to say about the Republican Party on Tuesday evening than they did about each other.

"The worst thing that could happen to Tennessee would be to let the Republicans take over," said former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville.

PUBLISHED BY 

ROCKY MOUNT - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Kim McMillan recalled for those in attendance the story of teaching her son to drive, likening the process to what she feels is the difference between Democrats and Republicans.

To go forward, the car must be put into the D position, with the "D" standing for Democrat, she said her son told her. She added that he said if you want the car to move backward, it must be put into the R position, with the "R" standing for Republican.

Will 2009 Go Down as the Year of the Disappearing Women Governors?

By Kathy Groob, Publisher, ElectWomen Magazine

Young members busy raising money for campaign

By MARK HICKS
The Leaf-Chronicle

Fuzzy house slippers were at the ready as Kim McMillan recently sat in stocking feet, talking into a telephone headset trying to raise money for her gubernatorial campaign.

Kim McMillan follows several other women in seeking governor's chair

Kim McMillan with mentor Anna Belle Clement O'Brien

Senate Republicans owe us explanation

Senate Republicans have a lot of explaining to do.

On Thursday, Republican senators said they would submit a budget amendment to the Senate Finance Committee to eliminate $350 million in proposed bond issuances and other expenditures that were in Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposed 2009-2010 budget.

Removing those issuances from any budget that might be approved would have eliminated $21 million in funds for the development of the Haywood County megasite.

2010 rivals focus on fundraising

By Colby Sledge
THE TENNESSEAN

It may seem impossible, given the presidential political drama of just a few months ago, but as summer heats up, and the state legislature wraps up, a full slate of candidates for the Tennessee governor's race will soon be crisscrossing the state, shaking hands and asking for money.

Two Democratic candidates for governor wasted no time in professing solidarity with Governor Phil Bredesen with regard to his veto of legislation to permit gun-permit holders to carry their weapons into bars and restaurants.

Said former House majority leader Kim McMillan of Clarksville: "I have stood with law enforcement officials and small business owners in my community for years, opposing this legislation time and again. I applaud Governor Bredesen and our law enforcement officials who have made a stand for this small but pertinent measure."

The Tennessee Ethics Commission appears headed for extinction as a standalone body.

The House sponsor of the bill to save it, Rep. Susan Lynn, on Wednesday removed the measure from immediate consideration in the House Government Operations Committee, a panel chaired by the Republican from Mt. Juliet.

Lynn said she was asked to instead focus on a proposal to merge the Ethics Commission's responsibilities into the Registry of Election Finance, which supporters say would allow the same laws to be enforced with less money and a smaller staff.

The Montgomery County Bar Association held its annual golf scramble. Before golfing a 3 hour professional development class on ethics was given by Kim McMillan, Executive Director of Community and Business Relations for Austin Peay State University, Tim Barnes, District 22 Tennessee State Senator and Judge Robert Wedemyer, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. The topics discussed were Tennessee's merit selection and retention election system of Apppelate Judges and an overview of pending legislation from the 2009 General Assembly Session.

May 8, 2009

Democrats look ahead to 2010

By NICHOLAS BEADLE
nbeadle@jacksonsun.com

Madison County Democrats rallied at Union University on Thursday night to celebrate President Barack Obama's first months in office, but lawmakers said the party has work to do if it wants to reclaim the state legislature and hold onto the governor's mansion next year.

2010 Candidate Spotlight: Kim McMillan for Tennessee Governor

May 5th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Politics & Campaign Stories

Tennessee Challenge

Some wonder if Democrats can hold on to governor's job in a state that leans to the GOP

By Michael Kelley

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Can former state representative Kim McMillan become Tennessee's first female chief executive?

Can Mike McWherter earn the right to move into dad Ned's old office in Nashville?

Can state Sen. Roy Herron do a cartwheel across the finish line of the governor's race, like he does at the end of his marathons?

As things stand now, it looks like four Democrats and four Republicans will vie for their respective party's nomination to run for governor in 2010. As the field shapes up, there always could be some surprises, but four in each party is a good, solid number.

The general election is more than 18 months away, and the primary election for state offices is Aug. 5, 2010. A Knox County primary is May 4.

April 25, 2009

State's first woman voter honored

By STANLEY DUNLAP
sdunlap@jacksonsun.com
CAMDEN - Ninety years after Camden resident Mary Cordelia Beasley-Hudson became the first woman in Tennessee to vote, Benton County honored the trailblazer with a special ceremony and state historical marker.

Beasley-Hudson was first in line to vote in the Camden municipal election on April 22, 1919, just seven days after the Tennessee General Assembly approved women's suffrage by one vote, according to Benton County officials.

Former Legislator

From Clarksville

Addresses Local

Democratic Group

BY NELSON MORAIS

STAFF WRITER

Kim McMillan says she has "the experience, desire, but most of all, the heart because I believe in Tennesseans" to become the first woman governor of Tennessee.

McMillan, 47, gave an energetic address on Thursday to 42 people at the General Morgan Inn for a dinner meeting of the Greene County Democratic Women.

"Women are good at prioritizing what's important and then figuring out how to get things done." she said.

By TYRONE TONY REED JR.
ttreed@jacksonsun.com
When Clementine Spencer first met Kim McMillan last year, the college professor and former state representative had just formed a committee to explore a run for governor.

"I met Kim at Jackson's Obama Extravaganza in September, and she hadn't decided if she would run," Spencer said Friday.

Seven months later, McMillan is introducing herself as a Democratic candidate for Gov. Phil Bredesen's seat in the 2010 race.

The first woman to serve as Tennessee House Majority Leader now wants to become the state's first woman governor.

Former Tennessee House Majority Leader Kim McMil lan who is exploring a run for governor in 2010 addressed the Gibson County Democratic Par ty meeting, held at the Ed Jones Agri-Plex in Trenton, Thursday.

With all due respect to Harold Ford Jr. and other would-be Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls, 2010 isn't your year.

Former House Majority Leader Kim McMillan recently became the first to declare her candidacy for the state's highest office. The spunky Clarksville Democrat faces enough challenges without having to ward off primary opponents.

For starters, Democrats have fared poorly in two of the last three statewide races.

Former legislator, Bredesen adviser makes it official: She's 'in it to win it'

By JIMMY SETTLE • The Leaf-Chronicle • March 1, 2009