NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Early voting gets under way today for the Aug. 7 primary.

The primaries will determine party nominees for congressional and state legislative races. Some local government races are also on the ballot.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is unopposed in the Republican Primary, while Democrats Bob Tuke and Mike Padgett have been campaigning around the state for their party's nod.

House incumbents facing serious primary opposition include Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen and Republican Reps. Marsha Blackburn and David Davis.

Early voting ends Aug. 2.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

APNP-07-18-08 0527CDT