Back in November, for the first time in 140 years, both houses of the Tennessee legislature were captured by Republicans: The Republicans control the state senate by a 19-14 margin, and hold 50 seats in the state house to the Democrats’ 49. Yet, Democrats in the lower house offered a deal to a renegade Republican by the name of Kent Williams, who wanted the Speakership for himself — when all the Democrats cast their votes for him for Speaker, and he cast his own vote for himself, he had the 50 votes needed to take the gavel, even without a single vote from his own side of the aisle.
Today, there was a special election in an open Democrat State House seat and Pat Marsh ( R) just won (56-42%) this seat back giving them 51 seats to 48 plus renegade Republican.
This win also bolsters Republican with controlling redistricting in TN something that has never happened.
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This is good, good news
Jack_Savage (Diary) Tuesday, October 13th at 10:48PM EST (link)Thanks for letting us know.
I hope Mr. Williams is about to be served a dish that is ice cold.
Being from East TN
TNJim (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 12:50AM EST (link)and close to Williams disrict I welcome this news. I hope he’s shaking in his shoes now even though he’s pretty much locked in as Speaker until the next term. Still, it gives me hope the GOP in Tennessee can hold their majorities.
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proudgop (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 1:04AM EST (link)I am not from TN but I looked at where this special election took place and the fact this was a long time Democrat House Seat and we won it when the Dems gave the nod to outgoing guys brother is excellent news but I am hoping for an answer on this:
My question is does this win give traction to us winning the seat held by Gordon? This win by us was right in his back yard?
So Jim is Williams Tennessee's version of Joe Straus
Richard Mullins (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 10:40PM EST (link)really he’s speaker of the House here in Texas only because the margin Republicans is small(76 to 74). I hope 2010 is better and he isn’t Speaker(yes that would make a good 2011). Oh well, no Obama on the ticket keeps the Democrats at home.
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Joe Biden is like a Decrepit Park owner with a Meth lab that happens to not only be a dealer but a user.
Let’s Bankrupt the Democratic paty. Make spend all the money to defend thier candidates.
They can redistrict at least 2 seats if not 3.
scarlos (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 1:15AM EST (link)Basically if the Republicans undo the gerrymander of the 7th district, and crack Douglass county between a few districts, they can probably pick up the 5th, and 6th districts in Middle Tennessee, and some mucking around in East Tennessee would easily give them the 4th district.
I don’t know about the 8th district, as Tanner seems to have a solid lock on it, but it might be possible to win with some creative drawing of the lines, leaving Tennessee an 8-1 state.
Socialism is Oligarchy in disguise
2010
proudgop (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 1:21AM EST (link)I understand it can be won after the districts are changed a bit
I guess I am wondering if we can knock off Gordon and Davis in 2010? I believe both seats went for McCain and yet neither has really been tested in past few cycles?
can they be knocked off in 2010?
I think they can both be knocked off
scarlos (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 1:32AM EST (link)They’re both in heavily Republican districts, though they both have natural advantages.
Cooper has been a congressman since the mid-80s, and has alot of experience winning in his districyt.
Davis on the other hand, had his district specifically drawn to be hard for an incumbent to lose in, as it covers most of the media markets in East and Middle Tennessee, though i think he’s trying for a state-wide governor’s run, and an open seat should be an easy pickup.
Cooper’s Nashville-based district is D+3 CPVI, which makes it competitive, but that’s because it’s drawn to take all the democratic areas in Nashville. If we crack those districts, especially including Williamson county and some other suburbs, we should have a good shot at this district.
Socialism is Oligarchy in disguise
It's certainly something to celebrate.
Steph C (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 6:21AM EST (link)Cooper is going to be hard to knock out but it’s worth a try.
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Bit Confused
proudgop (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 8:55AM EST (link)I guess I was referring more to Bart Gordon’s seat?
Is his district winnable?
thanks for prior answer and input
My mistake
scarlos (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 12:39PM EST (link)The first time i said “Cooper” I meant Gordon.
The second time however is talking about him
Socialism is Oligarchy in disguise
This is excellent news. The TNGOP already expelled Kent Williams ...
Martin Knight (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 7:41AM EST (link)This only makes it all the sweeter when he’s finally expelled from the TN House.
Hey D.C.
redpens (Diary) Wednesday, October 14th at 10:20PM EST (link)are you listening yet? Mmm mmm mmm…the Dems are going down mmm mmm mmm. 2010′s around the bend… mmm mmm mmm