Lamar Alexander planning bus tour of Tennessee

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is planning a 35-stop bus tour of Tennessee ahead of the Aug. 7 primary, his campaign announced this morning.

Alexander said in a press release that the tour is inspired by his political mentor, former Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker, who toured the state by train and bus during his re-election campaign.

"I learned from Howard Baker that one of the best ways to finish a campaign is a bus tour across the state," Alexander said. "I work hard every day to stay connected to Tennesseans, and this bus tour is one more way to keep providing Washington with a steady supply of that Tennessee common sense we need so much more of in Congress."

The Alexander campaign said it plans to visit all regions of the state but did not announce locations or times of stops in Middle Tennessee.

Alexander faces six other candidates in the Republican primary, including state Rep. Joe Carr and Memphis physician George Flinn.