The race to replace state Sen. Ward Crutchfield in District 10 suddenly got crowded as the deadline nears.
There are now five Democratic candidates and four Republican contenders qualified.
Democrats are Chattanooga attorneys Andy Berke and John Wolfe, developer Ken Jordan, state probation officer Walt "Combat" Ward and Lee Carl Whitaker.
Republicans are Oscar Brock, Basil Marceaux, Oscar Brown and Travis Layne.
The deadline to apply is Thursday at noon, but a candidate would have to arrive at either the Marion County Election Office or the Hamilton County Election Office early, stay around while the petition is checked, then hurry it over to the other office by noon.
Attorney Berke got in the race early and said he is amassing a $100,000
warchest. He has already begun putting signs up around the district.
Attorney Wolfe has waged several prior races for Congress and has recently been active in the anti-tax movement through his program on Talk Radio.
Mr. Ward has often been a political candidate, including contests for Congress and governor.
Mr. Jordan was formerly in city government and he lived until recently in the MLK neighborhood, where he opened the Metro pizza and coffee shop. He said he has moved back to his native Marion County.
Mr. Brock is the son of former U.S. Sen. Bill Brock.
Mr. Brown and Mr. Layne are from Marion County. Mr. Layne is chairman of the Marion County Republican Party. He made an unsuccessful race for the County Commission in Marion County, losing to incumbent Tommy Thompson.
Mr. Marceaux, of Soddy-Daisy, has also made several races, including running for governor.
The district includes all of Marion County and part of Hamilton County.