Former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge visited Knoxville last night.

Judge, a Democratic candidate running for U.S. Senate against Republican Incumbent Chuck Grassley, celebrated her birthday Wednesday at the Marion County Democratic Campaign Headquarters. Judge spoke on campaign issues including the economy, gun control and healthcare, but focused her attention on nominations for the U.S. Supreme Court and Grassley’s refusal to hold hearings to fill the vacant seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia. She called the refusal obstructive and she believes Republicans will continue to find ways to stand in the way of the nomination process until they can get the candidate they want on the court. About fifteen Democrats attended the meet, to hear Judge and ask questions about her candidacy. She praised the efforts of Marion County political organizers for working to champion Democratic candidates during this election season.