Politics

After months of silence on the severance pay controversy, former Ragsdale Communications Director Susanne Dupes came out firing on Wednesday.

Dupes, along with former Library head Larry Frank and former Public Works director Bruce Wuethrich have been the targets of criticism - along with former Mayor Mike Ragsdale - since August, after reports surfaced that they were getting tens of thousands of dollars in severance pay for resigning days before Tim Burchett took office.

In his first major interview since losing the Republican nomination for Governor last month, Zach Wamp tells 6 News he and Bill Haslam have gotten together and "reconciled."

"Bill Haslam needs to be Tennessee's next governor," said Wamp.

Wamp is leaving his seat in the United States Congress after serving for 16 years.

He said he's now weighing his options regarding his future. One thing he says he'll definitely do is write a book.

Sensing a major Republican electoral victory this fall,  Wamp says the GOP needs to remember history.

Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey's campaign responds to release of Bill Haslam's internal poll that shows Haslam in a comfortable lead over Republican rivals Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

Below is a statement from Ramsey Communications Director Rachel Taylor:

The Wamp Campaign wasting no time responding to release of an internal poll commissioned for Bill Haslam.

The survey - conducted June 1 - 3 - shows the Knoxville Mayor with a comfortable lead over his Republican rivals, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey.

“Despite going on TV four months ago and spending millions of dollars, Bill Haslam has only managed to rent the attention of some voters but can’t close the sale," said Sam Edelen, Wamp campaign spokesman.

An internal poll commissioned by the Haslam for Governor Campaign shows the Knoxville Mayor enjoying a comfortable lead over his two Republican rivals.

The latest numbers show Bill Haslam leading statewide over Congressman Zach Wamp and Lt Governor Ron Ramsey. 

The poll was conducted between June 1- 3, by Ayres, McHenry and Associates - and shows Haslam with 37 percent, Wamp with 24 percent, Ramsey with 15 percent and Undecided at 24 percent.

KnoxViews blogger Randy Neal wondering aloud about coverage by the Knoxville News Sentinel of Knox County's two mayors. 

Neal points to today's KNS editorial, in which the newspaper defends its reporting of Chief of Staff Mike Arms attending a meeting in Oak Ridge on behalf of a private business.

Neal writes:

The latest Bill Haslam for Governor TV ad is about to make its debut.  Supporters and reporters have been given early previews of the spot that features former WBIR Heartland host Bill Landry's voice.

If you haven't seen it, here it is:

The lone female in Tennessee's Governor's race says she has decided to end her campaign.

On the eve of the filing deadline for governor, Democrat Kim McMillan says she has decided to seek  the office of the Mayor of Clarksville.

In a news release today, McMillan says: