Republican Mark Green is headed to Congress for another term, after initially announcing his retirement earlier this year. The Clarksville veteran reversed that decision at the urging of fellow Republicans, and has now held onto his seat despite a challenge from former Nashville mayor Megan Barry.
Green campaigned on stopping illegal immigration and maintaining America’s cybersecurity. Compared to other Tennessee Republicans running for federal office, Green ran the fewest campaign ads.
Green’s campaign had a September surprise when his wife and children accused him of having an extramarital affair with a younger journalist, shortly after Green filed for divorce from his spouse of several decades. His opponent, Barry, left the mayor’s office in 2018 over a similar scandal, the aftermath of which she has chronicled in her upcoming memoir, It’s What You Do Next.
His Democratic opponent ran on addressing the opioid crisis after her son died of an overdose. Barry had one of the most well-funded campaigns of any Democrat in the state, having surpassed $1 million in campaign contributions.
Barry conceded the race Tuesday night.
“Winning was connecting with the people,” Barry said. “Winning was getting our opponent to actually pay attention.”
This contest is the second test of the new District 7 maps, and the area has proven itself a second time to be a Republican stronghold.
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