William Michael "Mike" Padgett, 59, of Knoxville, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.

Padgett served as Knox County Clerk from 1986-2007, until he was "term-limited" and retired. Padgett also served on the Knox County School Board from 1984-86.

He and his wife, Patty, have been married for 38 years and have three adult children: Matt, Mark and Sara Beth.

Padgett was owner of the Homestead Restaurant in Knoxville from 1974-89, and previously worked for Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta from 1970-74.

He is an ordained deacon in the Southern Baptist denomination. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church, Knoxville.

Padgett is a member of the Knox County United Way Board of Directors. He was a member of the charter class of the University of Tennessee School of Certified Public Officials.

He is a member of the Tennessee Valley A&I Fair Association, the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers, and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. He is a 32nd Degree Mason, Burlington Lodge, Knoxville.

Padgett provided the following answers to a Greeneville Sun questionnaire.

Q. Why are you running for the U.S. Senate? When did you first think about a run?

"I believe that Tennesseans sorely need a U.S. senator who listens to their problems and will work hard every day to find solutions -- something I believe Sen. Alexander has failed to do. And I believe I am the only candidate in this race who can defeat Sen. Alexander.

"After retiring from 20-plus years in public service, I realized that I was not finished, that there was more work to do. The idea of running for statewide office had interested me for many years, so when Democratic Chairman Gray Sasser called and asked me to consider this race, I agreed to run."

Q. What in your background would you most like voters to consider when making their choice in this election?

"That I am an experienced public servant with a long record of finding practical solutions to citizens' problems.

"That I am a proven winner (in seven primaries and seven general elections) in Republican East Tennessee who can beat Lamar Alexander.

"That no one will work harder than me to put prosperity back within reach of working Tennessee families."

Q. Gasoline prices and food prices have risen to levels that concern most Americans. What kinds of congressional actions, if any, would you support on these two apparently related fronts?

"Gas prices: There is no quick answer, no silver bullet. But with American ingenuity and a multi-faceted plan (development of alternative energy sources -- biofuels, wind, solar, electric cars -- plus safer new-technology nuclear power and some drilling off the coasts of states that want to do so), we can bring down our energy costs and free America from the stranglehold of foreign oil.

"I would pay for the development of this new 'green economy' by ending tax breaks for the oil industry, levying windfall profits taxes on Big Oil, and implementing a cap-and-trade system where industries would pay for the right to pollute.

"Food prices: The edible portion of our corn crop should go to feed humans and livestock, not to fuel our vehicles -- a process that has helped run up food costs. Better sources of ethanol are the cellulosic, non-edible part of the corn plant and a new type of sugar cane under development that can be grown across the South.

"Another culprit in high food prices is the high cost of fertilizer and feed, results of the deficit-laden, debt-ridden economy handed to us by Republicans."

Q. Illegal immigration concerns many Americans. Please explain what guides your thinking on this subject. With an estimated 12 million illegals already in this country, what approach to the illegal immigration issue will you take if elected to Congress?

"I do not favor blanket amnesty, but I recognize it is not realistic to send all 12 million illegal immigrants home.

"First and foremost, we must enforce the laws forbidding employers from hiring illegals. These workers come here for the jobs offered by law-breaking employers who are unwilling to pay decent wages that Americans require.

"But I believe any immigrants who want to stay must go through the LEGAL process and become law-abiding, taxpaying citizens."

Q. Do you believe that English should be the official language of the United States? Why or why not?

"I do not.

"We have always been a nation of immigrants, a patchwork of cultures, and immigrants have always adapted -- as they do now -- through their younger generations, to our language without being subjected to a mean-spirited, divisive law.

"But I do think anyone who is naturalized as a U.S. citizen should learn English, leading to a day when English does become the nation's primary language."

Q. American troops are widely deployed around the world and engaged in armed conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please explain your viewpoint on the "War on Terror" in general. Has the apparent success of the "surge" in Iraq affected your thinking on that front? Do you think U.S. policy on this subject is substantially correct at this time? If you think the U.S. should be doing something different from what we are doing, please explain what you think should be done at this time.

"I believe we took our eye off the ball in fighting terrorism when we changed our military focus from Afghanistan to Iraq.

"I favor a reasoned plan, developed by our leading generals, to leave Iraq to the Iraqis. We have done all we can in Iraq, and we must return our focus to Afghanistan, where Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida and the Taliban are re-emerging.

"They are the greatest threat to our homeland security and must be stopped."

Q. Please explain your viewpoint on abortion and how you would approach abortion-related issues, should they come before Congress.

"Abortion is a painful, difficult issue, and personally, I am pro-life. But I do recognize that situations arise when choices must be made, and I am not personally opposed to abortion in the case of rape, incest, or danger to the life of the mother.

"But Roe vs. Wade is the law of the land, and I believe it must be upheld. I would not vote to overturn it, nor would I use abortion -- or any other issue -- as a litmus test in voting on federal judicial nominations.

"I will evaluate candidates for the bench based on their judicial competence."

Q. Recent judicial and administrative decisions have made same-sex marriage easier in California, New York and Nevada. What is your view regarding same-sex marriage? Many supporters of traditional marriage fear that the federal courts might overturn the Federal Defense of Marriage Act and similar laws at the state level. Would you support the adoption of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman? Why or why not?

"This is a state issue and must remain the province of the states. I would vote to maintain state control over this decision."

Q. What is your view on proposals to make sexual orientation a protected status under federal law, similar to such categories as gender, race, age, religion and national origin?

"I do not believe one's rights as an American should be abridged because of sexual orientation."

Q. What is your position on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (HR 980, SB 2123)? Backers say this act would give firefighters and police officers basic collective bargaining rights and establish federal minimum standards for state collective bargaining laws. Opponents say the bill would force municipalities and counties to negotiate the whole subject of merit-based pay and force states and localities to recognize public sector unions as their employees' exclusive representatives. Please explain your position.

"I favor the legislation. As the son-in-law of a Teamster, I recognize and respect the right of workers to organize, and I believe that right should be extended to those men and women who risk life and limb to protect me and mine."

Q. What would be your view on reinstating the "fairness doctrine," which required broadcasters to provide equal time for opposing views on controversial issues. Opponents say this would have the practical effect of abolishing nearly all talk radio. Backers say it would make political commentary more balanced and fair.

"Because I believe the First Amendment right to a free press is sacred, I am leery of any government role in media content, beyond current laws against obscenity, pornography, and threats to public safety (the so-called 'crying "Fire" in a crowded theater' provision)."

Additional Comment

"I believe that creation of good-paying jobs is a paramount concern to Tennesseans, and jobs will be a top priority of mine in the Senate.

"I see great potential for 'green-collar' jobs as we aggressively develop a new energy economy. I also favor a greater federal role in helping locate industry in rural communities, like many in Tennessee, that have lost manufacturing jobs.

"I will actively pursue a revision of our trade policy. I do not believe that trade can be free if it is not fair to American workers.

"I strongly believe that tax law should penalize businesses that outsource jobs overseas, and reward those that create American jobs. A company that sends jobs offshore should lose its tax breaks.

"And I favor law establishing a 'livable wage,' that is, 50 percent of the average U.S. wage (as determined by the Social Security Administration) to be adjusted annually."