Bob Tuke is a Marine who served America, a Democratic soldier who has worked hard for others in Tennessee politics and, now, a candidate for the United States Senate. Robert D. Tuke is the former Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, having served from July 1, 2005 through January 13, 2007. In addition, he served as Treasurer of the Tennessee Democratic Party January through June of 2005, and Co-Chair of the Kerry/Edwards Campaign in Tennessee in 2004. He also headed Veterans for Kerry in the State in 2003 - 2004. He was a Trustee of the national Kerry/Edwards campaign as well. He was the Delegation Whip of the Tennessee Delegation at the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Most recently, Tuke was the Tennessee Political Director for Obama for America. He is a partner in the law firm of Trauger & Tuke in Nashville Tennessee. He represents Meharry Medical College, among other clients, and is an Adjunct Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he teaches Professional and Ethical Considerations in Corporate Practice. He has been honored as a "Fellow" of both the Tennessee Bar Foundation and the Nashville Bar Foundation. He also is a Past President and Trustee of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Who's Who in American Law. He is listed in Super Lawyers of Tennessee. Mr. Tuke received his education from the University of Virginia on a Navy ROTC Scholarship (B.A., with distinction, 1969) and Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1976), where he was Order of the Coif, Editor-in-Chief of the Vanderbilt Law Review, and a Patrick Wilson Merit Scholar. Mr. Tuke was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 1976 and the United States Supreme Court in 1986. He also is admitted to practice before the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth and Federal Circuits, and before the United States Court of International Trade. He was an active duty Marine officer from 1969-1973 and served in Vietnam in 1971, where he was awarded a personal Cross of Gallantry in combat by the Republic of Vietnam, among other decorations. He been a strong Democrat all his adult life, and he has supported many Democratic candidates for office, through both fundraising and organizational leadership. Mr. Tuke is married to Susan Cummins Tuke and they have two grown children: Andrew and Sarah, all good Democrats!
After many long months Tennessee's primary election was held last night, and it is my great honor to be representing the Democratic Party as a candidate for the United States Senate. It would not have been possible without the thousands of people who have aided our cause, who recognized, as I did, that it is time for a change in Washington.
This is a march that I embarked upon, not alone, but with the support of countless Tennesseans, Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike. Our shared frustration with Washington's failure to solve our most pressing problems is what motivated to begin this campaign, and it is my belief in our ability to correct course and change direction that will take me through our campaign's final months.
Dear Senator Alexander,
I read your "Flat Tax" announcement and I have a few questions. But before I get to that, I want to look at a few key statistics about the state of our country since you went to Washington:
What a record! And now, in an election year, you propose a sweeping overhaul of the entire tax code via a press release as most Americans file their tax returns.
Perhaps you have been saving yourself for this moment.
Perhaps you have spent six years drafting this sweeping proposal and, only by coincidence, did you get finished with it on Tax Day of an election year.
Senator Alexander, I want to give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm hoping that this is not a tawdry political stunt.
To put this perception to rest, I propose that you show us your budget for your new tax plan.
Show us how you fund our troops, care for our veterans, fully fund a sensible GI Bill and pay down the massive debt you've run up.
Show us how you will protect Social Security and Medicare.
Show us how the thousands Tennessee families keep homeowner exemptions at tax time.
Tell us what you would cut. Education? Health care? Social Security? Homeland Security? Student Loans? Corporate welfare for big oil companies?
Senator Alexander this is your chance to put me in my place. Prove to me this isn't an election year gimmick.
Better yet, let's schedule a public meeting to discuss it. Bring your plan. We will invite the media and have a calm chat about your plan.
I'm calling your bluff. I want to see your hole card.
Respectfully,
Bob Tuke
I'm Bob Tuke and I'm running for Senate in the state of Tennessee. I'm a Marine veteran, lawyer, former Chairman of the Tennessee Democratic Party, and Tennessee Political Director for Obama for America. I'm running to unseat Senator Lamar Alexander and bring change to Washington.
Tennessee deserves a leader who will deliver universal and affordable healthcare; a leader who will invest in alternative energy; a leader who will provide our armed services members with the equipment and services they deserve.
But I'm going to need your help to get there.
This election cycle is about change – and we can sweep new leadership into Washington, even in places where the punditry doesn't think it is possible. While this campaign will be a challenge, I'm in it to win.
I've been busy at work since I announced my candidacy last week – talking to Tennesseans, making phone calls, and holding events. There is an energy on the ground in Tennessee – an exuberance and realization that we don't have to settle for the same old kind of politics. The same fervor for change that is spreading nationally is also happening in Tennessee – and we can use this momentum to replace Senator Alexander.
I need your involvement in this race. I'll keep updating the community here on our progress, but please sign-up on my website at www.tukefortennessee.com and donate if you can.
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