A Democrat hasn’t won statewide election here since former Nashville Mayor Phil Bredesen won a second term as governor in 2006.Since then, the Republicans have controlled the governor’s office, enjoyed a super-majority in the state house and senate and most of Tennessee’s seats in Congress. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn won the republican nomination for governor in the August 6th primary. Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green won the Democratic nomination. Johnson City businessman Dave Hatley and former Lipscomb University professor Lauren Pinkston of Columbia are running as Independents and expect to get some votes.
That said, because Tennessee is a red state, Sen. Blackburn is the favorite to win the race for governor.
If that happens, Blackburn is on record as saying she plans to hold onto her seat in the Senate until after she’s sworn in as governor. That would allow her to choose her own successor in the U.S. Senate. It’s great for Blackburn but informed political observers say it’s not so good for the people of Tennessee.
