University of Tennessee Knoxville - Volunteer Yearbook (Knoxville, TN)

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In Ray Blanton's acceptance speech, he stated, We don't count this as a per- sonal victory. As far as I'm concerned it is a victory for the people. In his conces- sion speech, Alexander stated, I know there was a trend against the Republicans across the country. but I had hoped that they would not take it out on me. Did Watergate and the resignation of the President effect the Republican party? The result of the elections brought about a control of the House by the Democrats under a Republican president. The trend of the country went to the Democrats in 1974 and Tennessee followed suit. FAR LEFT: Senator Bill Brock accompanies Lamar Alexander during his campaign. LEFT AND ABOVE: The winner of Tennesseeis gubernational race, Ray Blanton, visits the campus. Issues and Events - 25

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24 - Issues and Events Tennessee goes Democratic Ray Blanton e Lamar Alexander Democrat e Republican Did the party make the difference? This was a question that Lamar Alexander could not answer. Four years ago, Winfield Dunn was the first Republican eIected governor of Ten- nessee in over fifty years. The Republicans felt they had captured Tennessee for their party. Or at least they did until Watergate. The fear of Watergate and the resignation of Nixon: were these the causes of the Republicans Iosing Tennessee? Ray Blanton, a Democrat from Adams- ville, swept through Tennessee with 56Wo of the vote to become the new governor. BIanton reached out to the blacks and to Iabor for votes. Visiting plants across the state with the promise of better work- ing conditions, Blanton managed to cap- ture the majority of the labor votes. To the blacks as we as to the women, he stressed the need for equality in all job opportunities. The heavy turnout of these voters helped to bring about his victory. Lamar Alexander, the Republican can- didate from Nashville, ran a hard cam- paign. Being classified as representing the white collar and silk stocking voters. Alexander tried to appeal to the middle class voter but was unsuccessfult Even with his commercials of rolled up shirt sleeves and sleeping in open fields, Alex- ander did not manage to convince the working class to vote for him. The major counties went to Blanton. In the last election they went Republican. In Shelby Counth, the Iargest county in the state. Blanton was triumphant by 17,000 votes. In middle Tennessee, which is traditionally Democratic, Blanton enjoyed a two to one margin over Alex- ander. However, here on the University of Tennessee campus and the Fort Sand- ers area, Alexander received 1172 votes to Blanton's 606 votes.

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Bil'l Owens wins; serves Third District legislative seat The election of Knoxville's third district state legislator concerned students, since UT and Ford Sanders fall within its bound- aries. The choice in 1974 were between Republican Edith Missy Dickey and Democrat Bill Owen. Having formerly served on the Knox County Election Commission, Ms. Dickey said she felt she was aware of some of the problems facing the third district. The main issue in Mr. Owen's campaign was her voting record while on that com- mission. Mr. Owen said that since Ms. Dickey had voted against allowing stu- dents to register to vote on campus, she could not fairly represent UT students. Both contenders ran on similar plat- forms. They favored liquor on campus and opposed legislative interference in coeducational residence halls. Mr. Owen's 1,695-vote victory margin was attributed to his strong door-to-door campaigning style, his image and slogan of An Honest Young Man and support from students. At the campus and Fort Sanders polling places, Mr. Owen won 1,300 votes to Ms. Dickey's 443. Another election which interested stu- dents was the race for the seventh state senatorial district. The candidates were Martha, or should we say Victor, Ashe, Betty Cathey and Jack Comer. Interest in this campaign was aroused by a court ruling declaring 29-year-old Victor Ashe ineligible to run. Under Ten- nessee law, senators must be 30 years old. RIGHT: The strain of a vigorous campaign shows on the face of Bill Owen. as he answers a question at a debate in the University Center in late October, FAR RIGHT: Victor Ashe's campaign was thwarted by a court ruling which removed his name from the ballot for senator in the Seventh District, His mother, Martha Ashe, won the seat on a promise to resign LOWER RIGHT: Edith Missy Dickey was the loser in the Third District legislative race, She is a former member of the Knox County Election Com- mission, 26 - Issues and Events Jack Comer, Victor Ashe's opponent for the House in 1972, filed suit in Chancery Court against Mr. Ashe. On October 10, the State Supreme Court ruled Rep. Ashe was not qualified to run, but left open the possibility he could serve if the Senate did not meet until January. Rep. Ashe's mother was chosen to replace him on the ballot. Martha Ashe's platform consisted of the promise she would resign after two months in office, provided her son was appointed to the seat. Martha Ashe received 55 per cent of the vote. She had 18,908 votes, Ms. Cathey got 12,850, and Mr. Comer re- ceived 2,343 votes.