Raising the Stakes in 2010
September 30, 2010 No CommentsBy Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney
Each and every election cycle, both parties work to point out exactly what’s at stake and the 2010 midterms are no exception. However, this year the stakes are quite possibly higher than they’ve ever been before in Tennessee. From the gubernatorial race at the top of the ticket down to our state legislative races, Republicans and Democrats across our state understand what this election could mean for Tennessee and for the nation.
Attention to Tennessee politics is also far-reaching beyond our borders. Republicans and Democrats on the national level have taken a serious interest in our state and federal level races because the redistricting process, which occurs once every ten years, is right around the corner in 2011. District lines at every level are set to be redrawn based on recently taken U.S. Census data, meaning the number of Congressional and legislative seats could, and likely will change. Tennessee joins a number of other states in which newly drawn district maps must be approved by the legislature and then approved by the governor. As such, national organizations from both sides of the aisle have a vested interest in Tennessee’s midterms.
Following is just a brief overview of some Tennessee races to watch this election cycle:
GUBERNATORIAL RACE
Current Democrat Governor Phil Bredesen is term-limited and will be leaving office after this year. Fighting for the slot is Republican nominee Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam and Democrat nominee Mike McWherter. Pollsters, pundits, and media have been predicting Tennessee’s governorship will very likely flip Republican this year and recent polling suggests Haslam has a 31-point lead over his Democrat opponent.
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
Tennessee has garnered national attention as a key state in Republicans’ efforts to take back the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, Democrats hold five of the nine Tennessee Congressional seats, but retirements and a dismal political climate for the Left have all but guaranteed Republicans will hold the majority of our House seats after this election. A breakdown of some of the most competitive congressional races follow:
- TN-04 – Democrats have been given a wake-up call in this district. Recent polling suggests the seat once viewed somewhat safe by Democrats is now a toss-up with Republican nominee Dr. Scott DesJarlais running nearly even with Democrat incumbent Lincoln Davis.
- TN-05 – Republican David Hall’s grassroots campaign is taking hold across this district made up of Davidson County and portions of Wilson and Cheatham. Many people in this district have voiced their concerns about and opposition to Democrat Congressman Jim Cooper’s votes for liberal policies such as President Obama’s “stimulus” and health care bills.
- TN-06 – Multiple news outlets have named this open seat the number-one seat in the country most likely to flip parties from Democrat to Republican, despite being held by Democrats for more than 25 years. Republican nominee Diane Black continues to gain momentum against Democrat nominee Brett Carter.
- TN-08 – This open seat has also been on the top ten list of seats most likely to flip from Democrat to Republican, despite being in Democrat hands for more than 35 years. Political newcomer and Republican nominee Stephen Fincher is seen as an extremely strong candidate with a great chance of beating out Democrat State Sen. Roy Herron in this district that has been trending Republican for years.
STATE HOUSE & STATE SENATE
Many people are unaware that Democrats controlled both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly for approximately 140 years. In 2004, Republicans attained their first elected majority ever in the State Senate. In 2008, Republicans made history again by becoming the majority party in the State House – giving Republicans control of both chambers simultaneously for the first time in our state’s history.
Currently, Republicans hold a 19-14 majority in the State Senate and a razor-thin 50-48-1 majority in the State House. Our goal this year is to strengthen those majorities and give our next Republican governor, Bill Haslam, a General Assembly that will be able to implement his agenda.
Further, the Tennessee Constitution stipulates that members of the General Assembly must vote to appoint the state’s constitutional officers. Each member will put forth their votes for Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Comptroller of the Treasury.
There is no doubt the stakes are high in the Volunteer State and this is going to be one of the most exciting election cycles this state has experienced in generations. That’s why I want to encourage everyone to get involved. No matter the strength of our candidates or the money that comes through the door, elections cannot be won without dedicated volunteers to make direct contact with voters. It’s that voter contact that gives one candidate an advantage over another at the polls. If you’d like to volunteer with the Tennessee Republican Party, please call our headquarters at 615-269-4260 or email Tyler Threadgill attyler@tngop.org.
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