Tennessee

Compare the candidates: Here’s who’s running, on your election ballot in Middle Tennessee

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2024

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Compare the candidates: Here’s who’s running, on your election ballot in Middle Tennessee

Staff reports
| Nashville Tennessean

Prepping for Election Day? We’ve got your guide for Nashville-area and statewide Tennessee races.

The only statewide race on the ballot this year is a battle for the U.S. Senate, where incumbent U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, is seeking a second six-year term against Democratic state Rep. Gloria Johnson.

All nine U.S. House seats are up for election this year in Tennessee and all 99 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Only the even-numbered state Senate seats are up for grabs in 2024.

Many counties and towns across the state also have local races on the ballot. One of the most high-profile will be a referendum in Nashville on transit.

Here’s highlights of the races you can expect to see on your ballot. Follow the links below to find information on candidates, key issues:

U.S. President

Tennesseans are gearing up to make a historic pick, selecting the 47^th president of the United States. The primary options – Kamala Harris and Donald Trump – couldn’t be more different, but the nominees do share some similarities.

U.S. Senate in Tennessee

Who is running: Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn is seeking a second six-year term against state Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, whose political profile shot to national prominence last year amid gun control protests and the Tennessee Three expulsion hearings.

U.S. House in Middle Tennessee

All nine U.S. House seats are up for election this year in Tennessee and Districts 4 through 7 touch parts of the Nashville area and Middle Tennessee. While unseating a Republican incumbent in deep red Tennessee is an uphill battle, U.S. Reps. Scott DesJarlais, R-Murfreesboro, Andy Ogles, R-Columbia, and Mark Green, R-Clarksville, all face viable challengers. Former Nashville Mayor Megan Barry is challenging Green. First-time candidate and longtime political activist Maryam Abolfazli takes on Ogles. DesJarlais is challenged by Lincoln County Democratic Party Chair Victoria Broderick.

Nashville transit referendum

What’s on the ballot: The $3.1 billion “Choose House You Move” plan would levy a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit projects such as doubling cross town bus routes, extend bus service routes and connect existing bus transit centers to each other, streamlining travel across capital of Tennessee.

Tennessee state Senate

In the state Senate, half of the 33 seats are up for a vote this year. In 2024, even-numbered districts face election for four-year terms. Independents will appear on the ballot in November. In three Senate districts, incumbents face no opposition.

Tennessee state House

Voters across Tennessee will have a chance to vote in all 99 Tennessee House of Representative districts this year. In 31 districts, there is only one candidate on the ballot. Meanwhile, although Republicans hold a supermajority in the state House and they are at no risk of losing it, Democrats are hoping to make gains and are eyeing about five competitive legislative seats.

Tennessee voting guides

Below are links to everything a voter needs to know about elections in East, Middle and West Tennessee.

Knox News: Voter Guide for East Tennessee 2024 Elections

The Tennessean: Voter Guide for Middle Tennessee 2024 Elections

Commercial Appeal: Voter Guide for West Tennessee 2024 Elections

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Tennessee

New Tennessee law allows K9 officers to be transported by helicopter, ambulance to vet

Published

1 hour ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

New Tennessee law allows K9 officers to be transported by helicopter, ambulance to vet

Tennessee State Senators Michele Reneau of Signal Mountain and Bo Watson of Hixson spoke today about the new law supporting police K-9’s.

The act allows injured dogs to get stabilization services on-site and then be transported via ambulance or helicopter to a vet hospital.

“In the past, officers were basically putting the k9 in their car and transporting them in their in their own vehicle, they didn’t have an ambulance or an air ambulance,” said Senator Watson. “This allows for an air ambulance. It also allows for a educational program for those in EMS, who will be taught how to manage canines emergency medical condition, which is different than a human’s.”

In April, Erlanger flew a K9 officer from Clay County, to North Carolina.

It was the first time the program was used for a live transport after several training runs.

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Tennessee

What You Need to Know About Tennessee Softball’s Path to Another WCWS | Rocky Top Insider

Published

13 hours ago

May 11, 2026

Press Room

What You Need to Know About Tennessee Softball’s Path to Another WCWS | Rocky Top Insider

Tennessee softball’s path back to the Women’s College World Series is set. On Sunday night, the Lady Vols were named the No. 7 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will host the regional stage in Knoxville as it looks to return to the WCWS in back-to-back seasons.

The Lady Vols are matched up with Virginia, Indiana and Northern Kentucky in the regionals. It would play Georgia, Clemson, UNC Greensboro or Charleston in the super regionals.

Ahead of the tournament, here’s a look at each team in the Knoxville Regional and potential matchups for the ensuing best-of-three super regional if Tennessee advances.

Knoxville Regional

7-seed Virginia

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader

Indiana

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader

Northern Kentucky

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader

More From RTI: Everything Josh Elander Said After Tennessee Baseball Dropped Series Finale Against Texas

Knoxville Super Regional

3-seed Georgia

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader

6-seed Clemson

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
- Jamison Brockenbrough – .342
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader

UNC Greensboro

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader
- Brooklyn Shroyer – 1.41

Charleston

2026 record
2026 conference tournament result
2025 NCAAT result
2026 BAVG leader
2026 HR leader
2026 ERA leader
- Mackenzie Mathis – 3.34

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Tennessee

Tennessee rowing wins first SEC championship in program history

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee rowing wins first SEC championship in program history

Tennessee rowing won the program’s first SEC championship in a thrilling finish on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge.

The title came down to the final race with the varsity eight boat, which had the lead against Texas going into the final 250 meters. The Longhorns made a late push to overtake the Lady Vols, but the 1V8 crew held on for the victory to secure the SEC championship on May 10.

Tennessee narrowly beat Texas 79-75 to win the title. It’s the first time the Lady Vols have won a conference championship since 2013 when they were a member of Conference USA.

The program’s first SEC title comes in the third season under coach Kim Cupini, who has transformed Tennessee into a national powerhouse.

“Phenomenal to see that from the team”, Cupini said in a school release. “Texas coming in was the number one team in the country and had that undefeated eight. So to see the varsity eight clinch like that was awesome. I have to take my hat off to the full team to get enough points to win the SEC Championship and bring that championship home, especially here at home in Tennessee. So, I was super impressed and super proud of them.”

Tennessee moves on to the NCAA Championships at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia, from May 29-31.

Tennessee narrowly beat Texas 79-75 with four total wins, which also included the 2V4, 3V8 and 3V4.

The 1V8 boat finished with a time of 6:06.939 for the win. The first varsity eight crew has beaten eight ranked opponents on the season.

The 2V4 was a crucial comeback win for Tennessee. The second varsity four crew fell behind early but caught up to and overtook Texas in the final 500 meters for the win, finishing with a time of 7:12.677.

“I think the boats on the water saw that,” Cupini said. “To be able to race from behind in the event and win is incredible. The second four, we were going crazy on that. It was a group that just got together the other day. They row together a lot as a team and as a group, but that lineup hasn’t been together. So to see them pull that off and get the win was incredible.”

Tennessee swept the third varsity races, with the 3V8 finishing with a time of 6:29.409 and the 3V4 finishing with a time of 7:16.747. The Lady Vols placed second in the 2V8 and 1V4, losing to Texas by a combined 11 seconds.

Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social‬. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe

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