Tennessee Republicans Ride Donald Trump’s Coattails In Legislative Races

Donald Trump’s decisive victory in Tennessee seems to have been good news for Republicans farther down the ballot.

The GOP held onto its 28-5 majority in the state Senate and even built on its nearly 50-seat majority in the state House of Representatives.

Headed into the election, Democrats were hopeful they could chip away at the GOP’s supermajority. But it was the Republicans that once again emerged with the upper hand.

Even House Republican Caucus Chairman Glen Casada seemed a bit surprised by their good fortune.

“Tennessee is becoming even more red, if that’s possible. Glowing red, now, may be a proper term. So now we’re ready to get to work.”

The tough night for Democrats in Tennessee extended across the state.

Speaker Beth Harwell held onto her seat in the state House of Representatives, despite a fierce fight from Democratic challenger Chris Moth.

The Republican from West Nashville won by 16 percentage points. Voters like Oak Hill’s Sam Clemmons gave Harwell credit for her handling of the sexual misconduct claims lodged against state Representative Jeremy Durham. Harwell supported his expulsion in September.

“I think she’s been doing fantastic,” Clemmons said after voting early in Green Hills. “Personally, I think the Jeremy Durham stance sent a strong message that she is very interested in keeping corruption out of our government.”

Harwell now has to convince her Republican colleagues in the House to re-appoint her speaker. She faces a challenge from East Tennessee Representative Jimmy Matlock.

Meanwhile, Nashville state Sen. Steve Dickerson won election to a second term, fending off Democrat Erin Coleman.

Dickerson was seen as one of the more vulnerable Republicans in the state legislature, but he won despite antipathy toward GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in his district.

Physician George Lynch is one voter who didn’t support Trump but backed Dickerson.

“He’s a physician. I know a little bit about him, as opposed to some of the other people, and he seems like an ethical guy. Seems to know about a lot of the issues that we face as physicians.”

Democrats did manage to hold onto their seats in Nashville. In one much-watched race, state Rep. Darren Jernigan of Old Hickory defeated Metro Councilman Steve Glover.

Hermitage’s Tonya Seitzman was among the voters for Jernigan. She says his visibility in the community was a big factor.

“I’ve seen him at church. I’ve seen him at McGavock High School where his daughter was drum major there. I received a letter from his wife on why I should vote for him. I just like him.”

Another Democrat who survived was Bellevue’s Bo Mitchell. He had one of the night’s tightest races but still managed to win by 4 percentage points.

But Republicans seem to gain ground in rural counties.

In Dickson, Republican Michael Curcio cruised to victory. He’ll replace Democratic state Rep. David Shepard, who’s retiring.

Meanwhile on the Cumberland Plateau, Democratic state Rep. Kevin Dunlap lost his seat to Republican Paul Sherrell.

But Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini says they’ll keep fighting.

“Our values are strong,” she said. “Our current legislators that we have at the state Capitol have been doing a great job. And they will continue to do a great job standing up for our values come January in the new session.”

Democrats will be in the minority by about 50 seats in the next session of the House of Representatives. They’ll trail by 23 seats in the state Senate.