Senate District 10 Democratic candidate Quenston Coleman said his two Democratic opponents - David Testerman and Andrae McGary - appear to be straying from the Democratic fold.
Noting he is "a lifelong Democrat, Mr. Coleman said, "It appears that two Democratic state senate candidates are being used as puppets to push forward the ultraconservative agenda of the Republican Party.
"I am deeply disturbed to see my primary opponents featured in Republican Todd Gardenhire's campaign commercials.
"We are still reeling from the impact of Bill Knowles party switch in exchange for Republican support in his race against an African American republican candidate.
"Both of the candidates in question were confirmed participants with Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum at the Chattanooga Tea Party's Liberty Forum in February of this year. One of them stated some interest in becoming a Republican. The other favors individual gun rights over those of property owners and boasts of his conservative values.
"Tennessee Democratic Party officials could consider requiring future democratic candidates to sign a notarized loyalty oath with the requirement to return any campaign contributions, if he or she changes parties after taking office."