The best indication that many races continue to be close is the continuing flurry of attack ads on TV and in mailboxes. Typically campaigns try to finish on a positive note, particularly if they feel like they have a lead. Speculation about voter turnout continues to drive last-minute campaign strategy. Republican turnout in Shelby County has been low thus far and it remains to be seen if voters turn out Thursday or not. A lethargic vote in Shelby County could impact ninth District congressional candidate Brent Taylor who currently represents that area in the State Senate and is counting on a good base of support there.
Local races could have an impact on Election Day voter turnout, as several rural counties across Tennessee have very contested County Mayor and Sheriff races. The general election for local races coincides with the primary races for state and federal offices.
Key state house races that are worth watching on Thursday night include:
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Republicans will certainly retain super majorities in the House and Senate. The question is whether the millions of dollars in out of state dark PAC money will impact the composition of those majorities.
An interesting late side note in the race to succeed Johnny Garrett in his Sumner County House seat, district 45. John Gentry, running in the Republican primary against Chris Hughes and Bryan Stewart, doesn’t appear to be a “bona fide” Republican candidate for the office. He was not challenged as the time he filed, so nothing can really be done at this point.
Gentry ran as an INDEPENDENT in 2022 for Governor of Tennessee. He appeared on the November 8, 2022, general election ballot alongside Republican Bill Lee and Democratic nominee Jason Martin, as well as several other independent candidates.
In 2020, Gentry also ran as an INDEPENDENT for Tennessee Senate, District 18, challenging Republican Ferrell Haile. Now he’s running as a Republican.
With all the focus and controversy over “bona fide” Republicans and approvals required by the state party earlier this year, how did this one slip by unnoticed?
GOVERNOR BILL LEE WEIGHS IN WITH LATE ENDORSEMENT FOR CHARLIE HATCHER IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT. Hatcher and incumbent Congressman Andy Ogles are going to keep swinging at each other until the final ballots are cast. Lee dropped a late endorsement for Hatcher on Tuesday. How much impact will the endorsement carry? Ogles continues to point out that Hatcher can’t vote for himself because he doesn’t live in the district. Hatcher’s response is that it’s because the legislature drew him out of the district in May after he had launched his campaign against Ogles.
DO MOLDER’S VOLUNTEERS KNOW WHAT DISTRICT HE’S RUNNING IN? Volunteers for Democrat Chaz Molder, running in the 5th district and waiting to see who wins the Hatcher Ogles matchup, were parading around with an anti-Taylor sign during early voting. Brent Taylor, of course, is running in the 9th district. Since Tennessee Dems are having to run away from the whacky socialist, ANTIFA policies of their DSA controlled party, look for their entire fall campaigns to be devoted to smears, Trump derangement syndrome and hysterical screams of “Nazi, “facist” and “white supremecist” in lieu of actual debate. Nice to see they are getting an early start even if they don’t know what district they’re in.
FOREMAN FACING CAMPAIGN ETHIS COMPLAINT. Michelle Foreman, a perennial candidate for virtually any and every office is facing a new complaint with the Registry of Election Finance regarding claims she coordinated with a political group she runs. Foreman is challenging Rep. Lee Reeves, who defeated her in a three person race two years ago. Foreman has been embroiled in a dispute over control of the Tennessee Republican Assembly for several years. The complaint is unlikely to be resolved prior to Thursday’s vote.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of Tri-Star Daily.
