Republicans have picked up three key Democratic seats to take control of the Tennessee congressional delegation for the first time since 2002 giving Republicans a 7-2 advantage.
Only the story here is not that Republicans have won these seats, but the margins by which they have. Each of the three contests in Tennessee’s 4th, 6th and 8th districts was decided in a landslide.
Congresswoman elect Diane Black stated, “I think that what you’re going to see is not a partisan divide but a philosophical divide.”
Diane Black who received 67% of the vote will replace retiring Congressman Bart Gordon – (D) 6th District, who held his seat for 13 terms. Black makes history as the first woman to serve in Congress from this district. Scott Dejarlais (R) won with 57% in the 4th district and Stephen Fincher (R) found victory with 59% in the 8th district.
The State Legislature is seeing some major movement as well. So far Republicans have picked up 12 more seats in the Tennessee State House padding their majority.
Last but not least, Knoxville Mayor and businessman, Bill Haslam (R), secured 65% of the vote replacing Two-term Governor Phil Bredesen (D)
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