Ex-Memphis Mayor Loses Race-Focused House Campaign in Landslide

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis' former longtime mayor unabashedly campaigned for voters to send him to Congress because he is black but instead has overwhelmingly lost the Democratic primary to the white incumbent.

With about 1 percent of precincts reporting Thursday night, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen had 34,603 votes, or 81 percent, to Herenton's 8,176, or 19 percent in the 9th District.

Herenton had said he wanted the victory to diversify Tennessee's all-white, 11-member congressional delegation. Cohen is white and Jewish.

Democrats have held the seat for more than three decades and Cohen is considered the heavy favorite to win in November.

In the 8th District, gospel performer Steve Fincher has won the Republican primary. Three candidates waged the most expensive House race in the country.

Meanwhile, Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam has won Tennessee's Republican gubernatorial nomination after a contentious -- and expensive -- 19-month campaign.

Haslam, the dominant fundraiser of the race, triumphed Thursday over U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp of Chattanooga and state Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey of Blountville.

With 2 percent of precincts reporting, Haslam had 115,705 votes, or 52 percent, to Wamp's 59,922 votes, or 27 percent. Ramsey had 43,308 votes, or 20 percent.

Haslam stressed his executive experience, both as mayor and previously as president of the family founded Pilot Corp. truck stop chains, one of the country's largest privately owned companies.

Haslam will face Democrat Mike McWherter, son of former Gov. Ned McWherter, in the general election. Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen is term limited.