Incumbent Tennessee State Representative Dale Ford picked up some strong support earlier this week in a Highway press conference in his home district. Retired Major League Baseball umpire has picked up some major league Republican party backing. Lt Governor Ron Ramsey and State Senator Rusty Crowe of Johnson Cityare supporting Ford for another term in Nashville.Ford was on hand with top Tennessee Department of Transportation officials and other local legislators for the unveiling of a 12 half-million dollar, two-year revamp of the major Johnson City Interstate 26 interchange near Gray.(CS)