Andrae McGaryChattanooga Councilman Andraé McGary is entering the state Senate race for the seat being vacated by Democrat Andy Berke.
"We believe we can be competitive and we don't have to have a billion dollars," McGary said.
The councilman will run in the 10th District Democratic primary in August. Hamilton County Board of Education member David Testerman also has picked up a petition to run as a Democrat in the primary.
Republicans competing the in the GOP primary are Chattanooga businessman Todd Gardenhire and businessman Greg Vital.
McGary said he plans to pick up his petition today and have it turned in by Monday. The deadline is Thursday. He plans to hold a news conference at 11 a.m. at the Hamilton County Election Commission announcing his run for Senate.