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The Tennessee Republican Party is focusing its campaign energy on Nashville this election cycle. But following recent Democratic retirements in Davidson County, neither side is playing up his party.

The GOP sees opportunity to increase its majorities in at least three districts where incumbents have called it quits, including the 53rd House seat previously held by Rep. Janis Sontany.

The south Nashville district stretches from the working-class neighborhoods of Woodbine to stately subdivisions on the county line. Within its boundaries, the candidates have been beating the streets, shaking hands and marking their territory – even if the lawn already has a sign for the other guy.

“If you don’t mind, do you care if I put a sign up in your yard?” asks Ben Claybaker.

Longtime state employee Stephanie Aylor says yes.

“I’ll have two in there,” she says. “They’ll wonder about who I’m going to vote for.”

Aylor is just the kind of independent voter candidates need to win over.

Burying the “R”-Word

After lines were redrawn by Republicans, this district doesn’t lean quite as heavily toward Democrats. But Claybaker still keeps his brand in the background.

“I don’t want to walk up to somebody and have this big ‘R’ stamped on my forehead and have people make assumptions, good or bad,” he says.

You wouldn’t know Claybaker is a Republican by looking at his website either. The “R”-word is nowhere to be found, although his resume does list a position he held in the Bush Administration. Then there are his yard signs. Instead of red, they’re dark blue.

“It’s my favorite color,” he says. “You walk up to my closet, and it’s all blue.”

Others running in Nashville’s historically Democratic districts haven’t gone to printing up blue signs. But they have stayed away from the more partisan social issues.

However, Democrats aren’t exactly loud and proud about their party. Claybaker’s opponent – Jason Powell – gives only a tepid endorsement of the President.

Democrat Jason Powell calls himself a Jason Powell Democrat. Photo credit Blake Farmer/WPLN

“I’ve been so focused on this local election and my own race, I’ve had barely any time to keep up with what’s going on a national level,” Powell says when asked if he supports President Obama.

Going door-to-door off Nolensville Rd, Powell finds a gentleman just off an overnight shift sorting mail. His pickup truck’s bumper stickers reveal he’s a conservative.

“We need somebody working for hardworking people like yourself, and I sure would appreciate your vote in November,” he says.

When the homeowner asks if he’s a Republican or Democrat, Powell says he is a Democrat.

“But I’m a ‘Jason Powell’ Democrat, kind of my own man,” he says.

Look-alikes

In this particular race, there’s not a whole lot of difference between positions the two have staked out. Even their bios overlap – new fathers, work in real estate, spent time as a teacher. And they both end up reciting the universal talking points of cutting government waste, lowering taxes and creating jobs.

“Those are the kind of issues I’m running on,” Powell tells voter Andy Young.

“You named three big things that are on a national platform,” Young says. “How do you think that translates to this neighborhood?”

The newly-wed and Nashville-native says he doesn’t care about the party of his state representative, but he would like to hear more specific ideas.

“Don’t get me wrong, I understand on the big national stage that party is a big deal for a lot of people,” Young says. “But on the local level, you want it to be, do what’s right, and don’t be a jerk.”

While independence may be what voters say they look for, the state capitol is a partisan place. If Republicans flip a pair of seats in the House and a pair in the Senate, they would gain a “walkout-proof” majority, meaning the party could pass legislation even if Democrats try to stonewall by not showing up.