TENNESSEE GOP MAILS IT IN.

Mailboxes in the seventh congressional district were already filling up quickly before the Tennessee Republican Party decided to add several new pieces into the mix. Two of the new postcards specifically promote early voting and feature prominent pictures of President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Republican nominee Matt Van Epps. A third also encourages early voting but links the Democratic nominee, Afton Behn, to former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and highlights several of Behn’s political positions that are out of step with the conservative congressional district: higher taxes, open borders, and defunding law enforcement.

Early voting in the special election ends on Nov. 26, with election day on Dec. 2.

FIRED UP!
Dr. Marie Feagins, who was fired from her position as School Superintendent by the Memphis Shelby County School Board, is trying to move up in the political hierarchy in Memphis by running for Shelby County Mayor. She will run as a Democrat.

Feagins brief tenure as School Superintendent was marked by chaos and controversy.  Nevertheless, some Republican community leaders appreciated her effort to clean up the dismal disaster that has long been Memphis/Shelby County schools. Feagins was ousted from her job as superintendent in a 6-3 vote. She had the full backing of many faculty, staff and parents, but ran afoul of cronyism and political intrigue. Her efforts to focus on teachers and students also put her in conflict with the school board.

Feagins joins a very crowded Democrat primary. Other candidates include Shelby County Assessor Melvin Burgess, Shelby County Chief Administrative Officer Harold Collins, Criminal Court Clerk Heidi Kuhn, Shelby County Commissioner Mickell Lowery and Memphis city councilman JB Smiley Jr.

WHOSE GOT NEXT?
The tragic death of Republican State Rep. Jeff Burkhart in Clarksville produced some rare unity on Capitol Hill as condolences poured in from both sides of the political aisle. That unity may be short-lived.

Tennessee law requires a special election if a vacancy occurs outside a one-year window prior to the next general election. However, Burkhart‘s death came just after that one-year timeline. Accordingly, the Montgomery County Commission will select a replacement for Burkhart to serve until January 2027. Typically, county commissions select someone from their own membership in these circumstances. District 75 is a pretty solid Republican seat, and the commission is likely to appoint a Republican to fill the vacancy, but whoever they select could face an August primary. Perhaps opposition from an ambitious county official who didn’t get the nod for the job would be possible. Interestingly, even if the appointee were to be defeated in August, they would still serve until January, 2027.

Those interested in the appointment must submit application materials for consideration by the Montgomery County Commission by noon on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. Qualified candidates will have an opportunity to address the County Commission on Monday, December 1, 2025, with the vote to fill the vacancy scheduled for the Formal Commission meeting on Monday, December 8, 2025. The individual selected would be sworn in almost immediately and be available when the Legislative session begins in January.

Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.