Democrats Berke, Yarbro eye run for U.S. Senate

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke and state Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville said separately on Wednesday that they are considering becoming candidates for the Democratic nomination to succeed Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, now that he’s decided against seeking reelection.

From the Times Free Press on Berke:

“I’ve been hearing from Tennesseans who want to see progress instead of stalemate, unity rather than division, and a leader with a proven record of accomplishment,” Berke said in a statement.

He added that in coming weeks, “I’ll be talking with my family and people around the state to determine how I can best serve our community.”

… Berke, a former state senator, is in his second and final term as mayor. A prodigious fundraiser, he has long harbored statewide ambitions.

There is already one official Democratic candidate: Nashville attorney and Iraq war veteran James Mackler, who announced earlier this year.

From the Tennessean on Yarbro:

“The United States Senate is broken,” Yarbro said. “They’re putting party before country and politics ahead of people. No single person can fix Washington, but all of us have to do our part. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be talking with my family and meeting with folks across the state to determine what my part should be.”