Veteran, Political Unknown First Democrat To Announce Challenge To Corker

NASHVILLE, TN — Iraq War veteran and Nashville attorney James Mackler, a political unknown, announced Sunday he will seek the Democratic nomination in the 2018 election for the U.S. Senate currently held by Bob Corker. Tennessee Democrats have failed to mount any serious challenge to Corker since he was elected in a competitive race against former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr. in 2006; that was the last statewide election, in fact, in which a Tennessee Democrat was competitive.

Mackler, who has worked for high-powered Nashville firms Frost Brown Todd and Bone McAllester Norton, was a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, according to his campaign. He continues to serve in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

“Our country has become so divided that our leaders refuse to work together to solve our most important problems. As a veteran, I know first hand the strength of teamwork, cooperation, and the benefits of diversity to accomplish even the most difficult mission," Mackler's debut campaign statement read.

Corker, chairman of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, has not formally announced a re-election bid and his name has been bandied about in some circles as a potential gubernatorial nominee to succeed the term-limited Bill Haslam.

Image via James Mackler