Tuke picked as new state Democratic chief

Bob Tuke, elected unanimously by party officials from around the state, was the sole announced candidate and was expected to win the slot.

Tuke was previously the state’s party treasurer. Democrats decided to have Knoxville attorney Delania Davis succeed Tuke in that role.

Current party chairman Randy Button steps down at the end of the month. He has said the move was made so he could spend more time with his family.

Tuke earlier this year pondered a run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Bill Frist, but dropped that idea after Harold Ford Jr. announced he was going to challenge state Sen. Rosalind Kurita for the Democratic nomination.

Tuke was an organizer on John Kerry’s failed presidential campaign and also worked on Gov. Phil Bredesen’s campaign.