A long list of Democrats, Republicans and Independents are giving indications that they plan to run for Congress in the newly drawn 9th Congressional District in Tennessee. Some have already filed or qualified, while others have started the process by pulling a petition. The qualifying deadline looms at the end of the week. 
Among those making their intentions clear are Republican State Senator Brent Taylor, Rep. Todd Warner and frequent Republican candidate in the old 9th District Charlotte Bergmann.
Rep. Justin Pearson had previously qualified to run in the ninth against Congressman Steve Cohen before the district was redrawn. With the new lines, Pearson and Cohen both reside in the new 5th District, represented by Congressman Andy Ogles. There had been speculation that one or both might run against Ogles rather than run in the new ninth. The Commercial Appeal reports that Pearson will run in the new ninth.
Cohen is expected to do the same thing, having already qualified in that district. Both reside in Shelby County and can run in any district that includes a portion of the county.
Democrat State Senator London Lamar has also been issued a petition to run.
A variety of lesser-known independent, Republican, and Democratic candidates are also preparing campaigns. The Democrat and Republican primaries are on August 6, with early voting starting before that date. Independents will appear on the ballot in November.
Steve Gill is editor and Publisher of TriStar Daily.
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