Most of the U.S. election returns for President and Congress were generally anticipated by polls. The more surprising outcomes around the November 2008 election may have been the outcome of state legislative races, especially in Tennessee. Republicans captured a majority in the State House of Representatives for the first time ever, something that had not been expected.
The old House had been Democratic 53-46; the new House is Republican by a single vote, 50-49. Because the Republicans already had control of the State Senate, and they kept that control, they are now in a position to replace the Secretary of State. In Tennessee, Secretary of State is not an elected position; the legislature chooses.
According to this newspaper story, a key element in the Republicans’ control of the House was their victory in the 2nd district, in northeastern Tennessee. According to this story, the fact that Senator McCain campaigned there, whereas Barack Obama did not campaign in Tennessee during the general election campaign, may have been dispositive.
Long-time ballot access reform advocate Donna Rowland, a Republican house member, was re-elected to her seat in the 34th district.
THE REPUBLICANS ELECTED A SPEAKER IN 1969 BILL JENKINS BUT IT ONLY LASTED 2 YEARS.THIS HAS TO BE A GREAT DAY FOR THE GOP IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE
Although the Republicans elected a speaker in 1969, they didn’t have a majority. They had 49 seats, the Democrats had 49 seats, and there was one independent.
The campaign in the 2nd included the challenger saying that the incumbent voted more like a Memphis Democrat.
That incumbent is also African-American, so it was an eyebrow-raiser, at best. Then again, having an African-American win several terms in East Tennessee is pretty remarkable.
Shocking! Race bating in an American political election. Yup, it certainly did bother me and perhaps that is why Obama stayed out of the State.
I am personally not to thrilled with the result, but I do hope that this makes it possible for a better ballot access bill to be passed.