By Jacque Day
Dresden, TN – Tennessee's 8th district congressional candidate Roy Herron has surpassed $1.5 million in campaign contributions. The Dresden Democrat and current State Senator faces Kimberlee Smith of Memphis for the party nomination. Smith reports, her own campaign contributions haven't yet reached $5,000. Herron spokesman Brandon Puttbrese says more than 2,000 people have contributed to Herron's campaign since he declared candidacy last December. Five Republicans and two Independents also compete for the nomination to fill the seat of retiring Representative John Tanner. Candidates will be decided in the upcoming Tennessee primary in August.