By AP
Nashville, TN – Republican Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey says his gubernatorial aspirations aren't a factor in his insistence on ridding the state budget of local projects he calls pork barrel spending'. Ramsey has opposed spending millions of dollars during the budget impasse, saying it's a symbol of running things the Tennessee way, and not the Washington way. The Blountville native is running against Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and U.S. Representative Zach Wamp of Chattanooga in August's Republican primary. The winner will go on to face Democrat Mike McWherter, the son of former Governor Ned McWherter.