DemDaily: Upset and Suppression in Tennessee
August 7, 2020
In Tennessee's US Senate Democratic primary yesterday, progressive activist Marquita Bradshaw, who spent less than $10,000, defeated establishment favorite James Mackler, who spent $1.5 million.
TN Democratic Nominee Marquita Bradshaw
Yesterday's primary was one of nineteen remaining state primaries for congressional, state executive offices and the legislature still on the calendar.
TENNESSEE
Tennessee's US Senate primary elections yesterday set up a contest between Democrat Marquita Bradshaw and Republican Bill Hagerty in November. The two are competing in the open seat vacated by retiring three-term GOP Senator Lamar Alexander.
With 58% reporting, the Democratic primary was called for Bradshaw, a Memphis environmentalist and human rights activist, and former labor organizer, who leads with 35.5% over former state Assistant Attorney General Robin Kimbrough @26.6% and James Mackler @23.8%.
GOP nominee Bill Hagerty
Going into the primary, Mackler, an Army veteran and attorney who had the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), raised $2.1 million and spent $1.5 million compared to Bradshaw who, according to FEC reports, raised under $9,000.
In the bitter Republican primary, former Trump-nominated US Ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty secured the nomination over Vanderbilt University surgeon Manny Sethi. As of Friday afternoon, Hagerty led Sethi by more than 11%.
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In the latest voter suppression development, the conservative majority on the Tennessee Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that would have allowed all eligible voters to vote via absentee ballots due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Court ruled fear of contracting the coronavirus will not be an excuse to vote absentee in November.
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TN Dem Party Chair Mary Mancini (TimesFreePress)
In her dissenting opinion, Justice Sharon Lee wrote, "In the midst of this pandemic and while Tennessee remains under a state of emergency, qualified Tennessee voters with no underlying medical or health conditions should not be left with the impossible choice of voting in person and risking getting COVID-19 or forfeiting their constitutionally protected right to vote. Tennessee voters deserve better."
On the decision, Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini said, "The Republican Party's unyielding campaign of voter suppression has always sowed confusion and placed obstacles in the path of voters. But now, during this dangerous health crisis, there are deadly consequences for the people they have sworn to serve."
For our followers, the remaining state primaries and early vote information. Make your ballot count!
| Date | State | Election | Early Vote Begins (Days before the Election) |
| August 8 | Hawaii | State Primary | Al Mail-In Voting, Ballots received 18 days prior to election |
| August 9 | Puerto Rico | Territory Primary | Mail-In Voting |
| August 11 | Connecticut | State Primary and *Presidential Primary |
No Early Vote |
| August 11 | Georgia | State Runoff | Fourth Monday before election |
| August 11 | Minnesota | State Primary | 46 Days |
| August 11 | South Dakota | State Runoff | 46 Days |
| August 11 | Vermont | State Primary | 45 Days |
| August 11 | Wisconsin | State Primary | 14+ Days, Varies by County |
| August 18 | Alaska | State Primary | 15 Days |
| August 18 | Florida | State Primary | 10+ Days |
| August 18 | Wyoming | State Primary | 46 Days |
| August 25 | Oklahoma | State Runoff | 5 Days |
| September 1 | Massachusetts | State Primary | 11 Days |
| September 8 | New Hampshire | State Primary | No Early Vote |
| September 8 | Rhode Island | State Primary | No Early Vote |
| September 15 | Delaware | State Primary | No Early Vote |
| November 3 | Lousiana | State Primary | 14 Days |
| December 4 | Louisiana | State Runoff | 14 Days |
*Information from multiple sources, with some variance. Please let us know of updates or corrections.
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Go to the DemList 2020 Convention Calendar for daily updates on official and unofficial virtual events surrounding the August 17-20 Democratic Convention. Submit your own organization, labor or company events for free profile and promotion.
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Sources: New York Times, The Tennessean, CNN, Center for Responsive Politics, National Council of State Legislators, Vote.org, VoteSmart, GreenPapers, State Secretary of States
