Tennessee voters to decide GOP nominee in most expensive congressional race in country

Tenn. voters to decide priciest US House primary

DICKSON, Tenn. — Tennessee voters head to the polls Thursday for a primary in what has turned out to be the most expensive U.S. House race in the country this season.

Democratic Rep. John Tanner is vacating his seat, setting off a heated run in his northwestern Tennessee district. Three Republicans are vying for the chance to run in the general election.

The party favorite is farmer and gospel singer Stephen Fincher, but he faces strong challengers in physicians Ron Kirkland and George Flinn.

Another closely watched race is in the Memphis area. Current Rep. Steve Cohen, who is white, faces a challenge in the Democratic primary from former Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton. He argues the mostly black district should be represented by an African-American: him.