NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Democrats are hoping to chip away at vast Republican majorities in the state Legislature by focusing on urban areas, while the GOP is seeking to stamp out the last vestiges of Democratic support in rural parts of Tennessee.
Democrats are hoping that the presidential race will play in their favor in the state's largest cities.
Knoxville Democrat Gloria Johnson is hoping to win back the seat she lost to Republican Rep. Eddie Smith two years ago. And in Nashville, Republican state Sen. Steve Dickerson is facing a serious challenge from Democrat Erin Coleman, while Democratic longshot Chris Moth is taking on Republican House Speaker Beth Harwell.
Republicans are confident about picking up a vacated Democratic seat in Dickson and are mounting tough challenges to other rural Democrats.