State lawmaker to take on incumbent in Tennessee GOP primary

NASHVILLE, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A Tennessee lawmaker said he'll challenge incumbent Lamar Alexander in next year's Republican primary for the U.S. Senate.

State Rep. Joe Carr called the 73-year-old Alexander "the most liberal" member of Tennessee's GOP delegation, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Tuesday.

Carr is a fierce advocate of the Second Amendment and frequent sponsor of bills that have irritated immigration advocates. He was elected to his seat in the Tennessee House of Representatives in 2008.

Insiders have anticipated a Tea Party candidate would challenge Alexander.