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Share ThisAug 08, 2008
AP - Incumbent Tenn. congressman loses primary for the first time since 1966 after ‘Big Oil’ attack
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Being linked to "big oil" turned into a big problem for Tennessee Republican freshman Rep. David Davis, who became the first congressman from that state to lose in a primary in more than four decades.
Johnson City Mayor Phil Roe beat Davis by a 500-vote margin Thursday in the solidly Republican 1st District in the northeastern corner of the state.
Roe's victory came after a bruising campaign in which he accused Davis of selling out to "big oil."
Congressional incumbents from Tennessee are rarely voted out of office. Statewide, the last time an incumbent was defeated in a party primary was 1966 when Democrat Tom Murray lost to Ray Blanton in what was then the 7th District. Blanton won the general election then became governor in 1974.
"I will try to serve you with dignity and honesty, just like we ran this campaign," Roe said. "Ain't it fun to win one?"
With all precincts reporting, Roe had 25,916 votes, or 50 percent of the vote, to Davis' 25,416 votes, or 49 percent.
The race became increasingly acrimonious as the primary election neared. Roe ran a TV ad accusing Davis of selling out to "Big Oil" by accepting money from industry PACs and backing legislation supporting offshore drilling.
During the last month of the campaign, gas prices in the district hit a record high of $3.94, according to figures from AAA.
Davis countered with radio ads denying he "pocketed" oil money, accused Roe of deceptive campaign practices and said "the voters of East Tennessee deserve better."
Roe told reporters afterward that he was aware Davis hadn't acknowledged defeat, but said he considered his victory final.
"I knew the time was right, and I felt I was the right person to do it," Roe said of his challenge of Davis.
Davis, a health care business owner, was elected in 2006 after a crowded primary for a vacated seat. Roe came in fourth in that primary.
Norman Litchfield, 24, a medical student from Johnson City, said he voted for Roe because he thinks "change is good."
"I've been to D.C. several times with my sister for school. (Davis) kind of gave us a cold shoulder," Litchfield said. "I think your representative should take the time of day to come out and shake your hand. I like Roe's 'people not politics' platform."
Davis joins Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah; Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, R-Md.; and Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., who are also incumbents who lost their primary races this year.
