TN Democrats Find Bright Spots in Nashville

Participants at the Jim Cooper reelection celebration cheer as the presidential returns appear on screen. Photo by Stephen Jerkins

The biggest gathering of Democrats in Nashville last night was at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel – a celebration for Rep. Jim Cooper’s all-but certain re-election. Democrats primarily had to look to national politics to find something to cheer about.

As each state was called for President Obama, the crowd grew louder. Meanwhile in Tennessee, Democrats suffered further losses. Republicans gained a supermajority, now controlling two-thirds of the General Assembly.

Congressman Jim Cooper says his party is at a 140-year low point in Tennessee.

“What we need is a competitive, two party system. That keeps both parties honest, and right now it’s dangerously uncompetitive.”

Not long after polls closed, Phillip North was already fielding condolences from Democratic supporters. The Nashville attorney took on Republican Steve Dickerson, who ultimately won Senate District 20, which includes many of the suburban parts of Davidson County.

North says he had a hard time shaking his party affiliation.

“The national Democratic Party has made it tough on Democrats in the South. I was hoping this would be a first step towards turning things around, but that first step is going to come in the future.”

Still, some Democrats see positive signs in Nashville. Rep. Mike Stewart says Republicans spent big money on seats where Democrats Bo Mitchell and Jason Powell were running.

“But they won anyway because they just went out and met the voters, and when you do that, it doesn‘t matter how much TV the Republicans buy.”

And in Hermitage, Democrat Darren Jernigan upset incumbent state. Rep. Jim Gotto, who was elected in the Republican wave of 2010.