Tennessee's "Don't say gay" senator loses in primary

Nashville, Tenn. (AP) — Republican Sen. Stacey Campfield, a controversial lawmaker who often drew the ire of his own GOP colleagues, lost his seat to a Knoxville cardiac surgeon in Thursday's election primary.

With all precincts reporting, Richard Briggs had 13,977 votes, or 66 percent, compared with Campfield's 5,824 votes, or 28 percent.

The primary was expected to be tough for Campfield, a highly visible lawmaker who often drew attention and sometimes ridicule for his polarizing comments, as well as sponsoring contentious bills on social issues.

They included one ridiculed as the "Don't Say Gay" bill and another that would cut welfare benefits to parents whose children aren't doing well in school.

Most recently, Campfield made national news when he compared the federal health care law to the forced transportation of Jews to concentration camps during the Holocaust in a blog post.

"Democrats bragging about the number of mandatory sign-ups for Obamacare is like Germans bragging about the number of mandatory sign-ups for 'train rides' for Jews in the 40s," he wrote. The misspelling of "mandatory" appeared in the original text.

Campfield's remark drew swift condemnation and demands for apology from both Democratic and Republican leaders in the state — including the governor.

"Words matter, and to make the comparison to the Holocaust is wrong, inappropriate and insensitive," said Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, a former Knoxville mayor.

However, University of Tennessee, Knoxville political analyst Anthony Nownes said Campfield was simply representing the views of his constituents.

"One of the things that has always surprised me is that people act like Stacey Campfield is the only person who believes these things," Nownes said.

Campfield did not immediately return a call seeking comment. However, he posted a blog that said "that was fun" and featured a YouTube video of Frank Sinatra singing "My Way."

Briggs was elected to the Knox County Commission in 2008. After graduating from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in 1978, Briggs joined the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of colonel. He served in combat during Operation Desert Storm and was awarded the Bronze Star.

"This exceeded expectations," Briggs said. "We thought we were in a good position to win, but we're absolutely elated we did much better than we thought."

by Lucas L. Johnson II, Associated Press

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – August 8, 2014 @ 9:55am