NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two years after upsetting the incumbent Democrat, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais is the only Tennessee member of Congress facing a serious challenge.
Tuesday's election has Tennesseans casting ballots in that race, other congressional contests, a U.S. Senate race and the presidential contest.
Democrats couldn't field credible candidates against two other Republicans who in 2010 won House seats held by Democrats.
The concentrated effort against DesJarlais isn't guaranteed to provide a boost to Democrats in a state that has turned decidedly Republican, despite revelations that the GOP congressman once urged a mistress to seek an abortion. DesJarlais opposes abortion rights.
State Sen. Eric Stewart, the Democratic nominee in the 4th District, hopes conservative voters who back Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will split their tickets to vote for him.