NASHVILLE (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander raised $614,000 in the first quarter, leaving him with $3.1 million on hand for his bid for a third term.

Alexander said he received formal notification on Thursday that he has qualified for the Aug. 7 primary. His eight opponents in the GOP nomination contest include state Rep. Joe Carr of Murfreesboro and former Shelby County Commissioner George Flinn.

Four candidates have filed to run for the Democratic nomination including Knoxville attorneys Gordon Ball and Terry Adams, and Gary Davis and Larry Crim of Nashville.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has three challengers, including perennial candidate Basil Marceaux and Mark "Coonrippy" Brown, who is angry at the state for confiscating his pet raccoon.