Blake Fontenay gives us some insight into what Tom Leatherwood is thinking taking on Rep. Marsha Blackburn in a Republican primary:

This isn't the first time Leatherwood has been a heavy political underdog.

As a 35-year-old political novice, he defeated state Sen. Leonard Dunavant, a 26-year veteran of the Tennessee General Assembly, in 1992.

Alan Crone, former chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party and Leatherwood's cousin, said Dunavant was particularly vulnerable after supporting an income tax and trying to reduce Medicaid payments to doctors.

The Tennessee Medical Association contributed almost $24,000 to help Leatherwood.

Crone isn't so sure Blackburn has the kind of political chinks in her armor that Dunavant had.

Even so, Crone won't dismiss Leatherwood's chances.

"If anybody could do it, I would think it would be Tom," Crone said.