WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |GOP gubernatorial candidates cater to Christians

GOP gubernatorial candidates cater to Christians

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2010 gubernatorial Republican campaign has taken a hard right turn, catering to conservative Christian Tennesseans.

The three republicans running for governor in the August primary, Bill Haslam, Zach Wamp and Ron Ramsey, hope Christian values will appeal to Tennesseans.

"Here's my heart. I believe God is the center of the universe," Wamp is heard saying in a recent television campaign ad.

"Ron Ramsey, he's the conservative for governor," a voice booms during Ramsey's television ad.

"Marries his college sweetheart, loves her even more 29 years later, Bible study every week," can be heard in Haslam's ad.

One Tennessean pastor said he believes the ads resonate with people.

"People are looking for stability out of their leadership," Grandview Baptist Church Associate Pastor Brad Warren told News 2.  "Marriage and parenting is a difficult task and to see a leader who can step up and do that effectively means a lot to us."

Warren said the messages are important to voters who are concerned about values and values are indicative of character.

"There are lots and lots of people in Tennessee who are Evangelical Christians and you cannot ignore that," Warren said. "So, these politicians must appeal to them and must align their views with what, I believe is the majority of the views across the state of Tennessee."

The primary election is next Thursday, August 5.

The winner of the primary will face Democrat Mike McWherter in the November election.