Gubernatorial Campaign is a Wild Ride for Tripp

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Rev. Bob Tripp is driving back from a Nashville radio station, where he spent the morning talking about state income taxes and the Gospel on a talk show. It"s not the first time he"s been on the radio, but it is the first time he"s been on the radio as a candidate for governor.

"What can you do when the Lord puts a path before you, but to follow that path?"says Tripp from the road on his cell phone. In response to what he feels God is calling him to do, the pastor at Second UMC in Knoxville is seeking the state"s Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Tripp"s quest has shocked his family and acquaintances as well as parishioners, according to his wife. A political newcomer, Tripp served First UMC in Pigeon Forge before arriving at Second in 2001.

"This is a wonderful church, and we"ve only been here for a year,"Kerry Tripp says with a sigh. "It seems like when you"re comfortable, the Lord wants to stir you up and give you a new challenge. But I don"t question [Bob"s] call."

Tripp will serve Second UMC through the end of February; the Republican primary is in August 2002. In the meantime, Tripp is already receiving requests to speak at Holston churches about his decision to run. The candidate is a native of Brownsville, Tenn., where his family owns Tripp"s Country Hams and his father is a retired minister in the Memphis Conference.

"I"m not leaving the ministry, I"m just going fishing,"says Tripp, who doesn"t plan to soft-pedal his faith during public appearances even though it may be a turnoff to some voters. "I will not sacrifice the Gospel. Uh-uh. No way."

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