Tennessee

Tennessee Democratic State Senator Ophelia Ford, a member of the Ford political dynasty that includes U.S. Representative and Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr., has been given a stay by a federal judge in her bid to keep from getting kicked out of office.

Two of the Republicans in the race to fill Bill Frist's Senate seat are gaining early momentum. Bob Corker, a former mayor of Chattanooga, has amassed more money than any other candidate, Republican or Democrat. He's got three times more cash on hand than the likely Democratic nominee, Rep. Harold Ford Jr., according to Political Moneyline.

To kick off the 2006 campaign, Washington lawmakers this week are hoisting the "ethics reform" standard. If voters are wondering whether Congress can rally to save itself from temptation, developments in a Tennessee political-corruption scandal that resembles the Abramoff affair aren't encouraging.