And Then There Were Three

Today, State Rep. Beth Harwell (R-TN) announced that she is ending her Senate bid, saying that this was not the right race at the right time for her and her family. Harwell was not polling well - under 5% in most polls - but the departure is important because of the crowded primary field. Now that she has left, Bob Corker, 2002 Gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary, and former Rep. Ed Bryant are left to fight it out. Harwell's supporters clearly took primarily from Bryant and Hilleary, so her departure bodes well for both of them. Corker, on the other hand, will have to work hard to convince Republicans to nominate someone who does not share their values. This is not an easy job in a state like Tennessee, where the argument that a conservative is unelectable is about as believable as a suggestion that Middle Tennessee State could run up the score against the Vols in Ole Rocky Top.

As Corker is not an option, conservatives must choose between Ed Bryant and Van Hilleary. While the two agree on most issues of import to the base, there are two major differences that make this choice clear. The first is that Ed Bryant has delivered for conservatives. During his time in the House, Bryant was a leader on pro-family issues, including pushing for pro-life legislation. In the Senate, he would add to his agenda the confirmation of conservative judges. Bryant's experience could even lead to a seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where the Republican wing of the Republican Party is sadly outnumbered. The fact that Bryant has received the endorsements of many of the strongest conservatives in the Senate - Dr. Tom Coburn, Sen. Jim DeMint, Sen. Sam Brownback, and Sen. John Ensign - speaks volumes for where he would be on the votes and issues that matter most.

In addition to being an outspoken conservative, Ed Bryant is also the strongest possible candidate. At a time when many conservatives are discouraged by the retiring Senator's flip-flop on stem-cell research and spineless "leadership" on the filibusters, Bryant will energize conservatives who would likely stay home if Corker were the nominee. With regard to Van Hilleary, he missed his chance to win statewide. The Governor's mansion in Tennessee should be safe Republican, but Hilleary managed not only to make the race interesting, but to actually lose, albeit to a strong candidate. While any Republican nominee would be favored against Rep. Harold Ford, Ed Bryant is the best man to show that Ford is out of step with Tennessee and at the same time motivate disgruntled conservatives.