Maryville Daily Times [1]

The 8th District State Senate race pits incumbent Sen. Raymond Finney against 20th District state Rep. Doug Overbey in the state Republican Primary. Since there is no Democrat running, the winner of the primary will win the seat in the November general election, barring a major write-in vote. The seat represents both Blount and Sevier counties. Jim Bishop of Sevier County is also on the ballot.

This is certainly big news to Ira (Doc) Lapides, who has qualified and been certified by the Tennessee Division of Elections to be on the November ballot as an Independent.